In South Korea, where prostitution is illegal, the industry has historically grappled with the concept of "sponsorship". This involves wealthy individuals—often business moguls or foreign investors—providing financial support or career advancements to trainees and idols in exchange for sexual favors.
Investigations have identified "sponsorship brokers" who target up-and-coming celebrities, offering them large sums—sometimes ranging from 600,000 to millions of won—per encounter with a "client". 2. The Burning Sun Scandal: A Turning Point In South Korea, where prostitution is illegal, the
While many rumors are debunked by prosecutors as "unfounded", high-profile cases have occasionally confirmed these underground networks: In South Korea