A Korean production company has issued an official apology following controversy surrounding a cast member of their groundbreaking reality show “ToGetHer,” South Korea’s first lesbian dating program that premiered on April 25, 2025.
Kim Ri-won, one of the show’s participants, became embroiled in controversy when it was revealed she had previously worked as a provocative broadcast jockey (commonly referred to as a ‘BJ’ in Korea). The reality star confirmed aspects of her past activity and issued a formal apology to viewers, fellow castmates, and the production team.
In a statement released on April 29, Display Company acknowledged the situation, expressing “a heavy sense of responsibility for causing concern” to viewers. The production team explained their casting process involved open recruitment and thorough vetting through three rounds of in-depth meetings, but admitted limitations in their ability to verify all aspects of applicants’ backgrounds.
Meanwhile, Kim Ri-won issued her own statement on social media addressing the controversy. She confirmed that she had conducted personal content broadcasting for approximately three years between 2016 and 2024, and admitted to having gone on six meal dates during that period, though she insisted all meetings were healthy meals without physical contact.
Addressing questions about her sexual identity, Kim stated: “I am a woman who loves women. I became aware of my sexual orientation in middle school and had my first serious relationship—a 2.5-year one—with another woman.” She explained that she had briefly dated men “due to internal struggles with self-acceptance.”
Kim revealed that her most recent relationship with a man turned abusive, involving threats of outing her sexual orientation, physical violence, and digital abuse. “He threatened to expose my identity to friends and family if I tried to leave. In that terrifying situation, I applied for the program because I wanted to come out on my own terms,” she explained.
The production company has also voiced concern about excessive criticism and hate speech directed at cast members on social media platforms and community forums, urging for these attacks to stop.
“ToGetHer,” which streams on the Wavve platform, is a groundbreaking program in South Korean media as the country’s first reality show focusing on lesbian relationships. The series follows participants searching for romantic connections through various activities while living together in a shared house called the ToGetHerHouse on Jeju Island. Kim has stated she will “take full responsibility and quietly step back” from the program.
