Suspicion of Voice Cheating for 'Idol School' Appeared in July 2019. Since then, investigations have been carried out on Mnet programs that are similar to the 'Produce 101' series.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office held the trial of Kim Tae Eun and former Mnet business manager "Kim" on charges of obstruction of business and fraud on Monday (9/11).
The two are suspected of manipulating the paid votes received from viewers of the survival program "Idol School" which aired from July to September 2017. This alleged manipulation is their accusation of business disruption to CJ ENM and committing fraud against those who participated in the voting.
Attorney Kim Tae Eun admitted all charges but confirmed his innocence by stating, "While Kim Tae Eun regrets his actions without the intention of making excuses, his actions do not legally constitute a crime".
In particular, attorney Kim Tae Eun emphasized the basis of her innocence by explaining, "The victim of a business interruption was CJ ENM, but they also benefited from the fraud. This is a strange framework."
The chief producer 's attorney continued, "Votes that enter via text message are worth 10 percent of the general result while online votes are not weighted. But due to low viewership ratings and poor audience participation rates, the results depend heavily on the votes of family or acquaintances only."
"As less prominent contestants unexpectedly received higher ratings due to this phenomenon, there was pressure that viewership ratings would drop and the program would fall apart. In contrast, online vote weights were adjusted to a value of 5 percent without notice to viewers and partial ratings. manipulated, "added the lawyer.
Claiming that "counting the votes and ranking of the contestants is part of the individual responsibility of the producer and therefore difficult to categorize as a business interruption", Kim Tae Eun's lawyer further refuted the allegations.
The attorney added, "It is for the welfare of the company. In certain cases, a person may be guilty of acting in the company of good but negatively affects third parties. But in this situation, it seems an over-interpretation of the allegations of business obstruction."
As for “Kim” who was tried on the same charge, their attorney stated, “The indictment is to conspire with Kim Tae Eun. But since no such conspiracy happened, 'Kim' will plead not guilty. Even though the charges are admitted, only the consequences. associated with a sensible accessory. "
Meanwhile, suspicions of vote rigging for “Idol School” emerged in July 2019. Since then, investigations have been carried out on similar programs such as the “Produce 101” series. Producers Ahn Joon Young and Kim Yong Bum have received prison terms for manipulating votes from all four seasons of the “Produce 101” series.
(wk / charity)