Kim Hwan-hee / Captured from Instagram

An idol group manager was identified as a suspect in an illegal filming incident that occurred in the dressing room used by Kim Hwan-hee and other actors for the musical "Next to Normal."

The suspect in the incident was revealed to be a manager of WM Entertainment (WM).

WM has officially issued an apology, saying, "We deeply apologize to the actress and her agency who were hurt by the recent incident. We are profoundly sorry for the distress this has caused."

WM said it terminated his employment "as soon as we confirmed the facts on the day of the incident," adding, "He is no longer affiliated with us and is currently under police investigation."

The agency said the termination was to prevent potential damage should the names of the real names of the artists managed by the manager be disclosed.

The unsettling discovery was made on April 9 when actor Kim Hwan-hee, while preparing for her performance in the musical, found a hidden camera inside the makeup room located on the sixth floor of the Kwanglim Arts Center in southern Seoul.

Kim's agency issued a statement saying, "The dressing room in a musical theater is not merely a waiting area. It's a place where performers wait until it's their turn (to take the stage), change into their stage costumes, and shower after the performances."

"Placing a hidden camera in such a space is a clear criminal act," it added.

The agency also noted that the case is currently under police investigation and said its focus is on helping Kim return to her scheduled activities without further distress.

"Next to Normal" also stars Choi Jung-won, Lee Kun-myung, Michael Lee, and Sandeul, among others.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, sister publication of The Korea Times, was translated by a generative AI and edited by staff of The Korea Times.