The latest case of an idol manager planting a hidden camera in an actor's dressing room sounds an alarm bell for stricter countermeasures in the entertainment industry. Getty Imagebank.

The entertainment industry is once again under scrutiny as repeated incidents of illegal filming by insiders continue to surface, revealing a troubling pattern of privacy violations.

In a disturbing incident highlighting ongoing insider crimes within the entertainment industry, a hidden camera was discovered in the dressing room of the musical "Next to Normal" at the Gwanglim Art Center in Gangnam District, Seoul.

The culprit was the manager of an idol singer who is also part of the musical's cast. He was charged with illegally filming the dressing room in violation of the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes, police said Friday.

The camera, concealed in a sofa in the changing room, was found by actor Kim Hwan-hee on April 9.

Police were able to pinpoint the culprit through security canalysis and further investigations. Initially denying the allegations, the manager later confessed to the crime.

His employer, WM Entertainment, immediately fired him. It also completed inspections of the performance venue, employee residences and company buildings to ensure no further violations had occurred.

Film sets and celebrity dressing rooms remain vulnerable to insider crimes. Getty Imagebank

Lack of countermeasures

This case has reignited concerns about the lack of effective preventative measures against insider crimes in the entertainment industry, prompting calls for stricter regulations and oversight to protect artists and staff from such violations.

The entertainment industry continues to grapple with instances of illegal filming by insiders, highlighting a disturbing trend that has persisted over the years.

One notable incident occurred in 2018 when a member of a broadcasting team twice installed a hidden camera in the form of a power bank in the bathroom window frame of a hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark, where actor Shin Se-kyung and other women celebrities were staying.

The court, acknowledging the abuse of position by the staff member, sentenced him to a suspended prison term, citing that the footage had not been disseminated.

Procedural safeguards

Despite stringent access controls, film sets and celebrity dressing rooms are vulnerable to crimes committed by those with access to these areas.

"Even with tight access management, it's difficult for security personnel to persistently question the staff about their reasons for entry," said an agency official.

Similarly, another official from an entertainment company said, "We do check the criminal records of our employees, but if there are no issues on record, it's challenging to take further measures. Once filming or performance begins, and the chaos ensues, it's nearly impossible to prevent crimes that exploit the hectic environment."

This structure creates a nearly intractable problem where crimes of opportunity by those with legitimate access can occur with little chance of prevention, emphasizing the need for more than just procedural safeguards in the entertainment industry.

A notice posted by MP & Company, the producer of "Next to Normal," after discovering a hidden camera in an actor's dressing room / Captured from social media

Stricter oversight measures

The girl group Laysha has also voiced concerns about unauthorized footage distribution. During a web variety show recording, hidden cameras were installed without their knowledge.

Laysha member Goeun revealed on social media that footage was leaked from the hidden cameras.

"There was no prior notification that the filming would include adult content, and we were completely unaware of the program's intentions," she said.

These instances of betrayal highlight a significant gap in protective measures within the industry.

Kim Sang-gyun, professor of police studies at Baekseok University, said "The thrill of obtaining rare celebrity footage might have been a significant temptation. Insiders, given more authority, might feel tempted to misuse it."

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