First ever sex festival to be held in South Korea is cancelled after Japanese porn stars due to attend feared they would be KILLED due to public outcry
A sex festival, advertised as the 'first and largest' in South Korea, has been canceled due to public outcry leading to venues withdrawing and performers quitting. They feared potential attacks or even stabbings if they participated.
Thousands of fans were anticipated to attend and see their beloved Japanese porn stars at the 'KXF The Fashion' event last weekend. However, it was called off only 24 hours before it was scheduled to start.
South Korea maintains a conservative stance on adult entertainment, with strip shows, public nudity, and hardcore pornography sales and distribution being illegal.
Local authorities criticized the proposed event as 'morally harmful'. Organizers had to search for new venues as they struggled to obtain permission, resulting in significant revenue losses from ticket cancellations.
Additionally, a Korean women's group protested against the festival, arguing that it would promote the exploitation and objectification of women rather than being 'a celebration of sex'. When organizers secured a location, the actresses' agents stated they could no longer participate due to safety concerns as backlash against the event intensified.
Organizer Lee Hee Tae expressed disappointment at the turn of events, mentioning death threats he received. He insisted that the event, had it proceeded, would have complied with the law and would not have involved sexual acts.
Lee aimed to introduce an adult entertainment culture to South Korea akin to that of other countries, challenging what he deemed outdated attitudes. However, his company, Play Joker, faced criticism for previous provocative actions, such as a controversial video from last year.
Critics argued that despite claims of equality, the festival primarily targeted men in its marketing, featuring scantily-clad young women. They viewed the event's cancellation as a victory, denouncing it as encouraging violence against women.
When the event was planned near a primary school in Suwon, protests erupted, prompting the venue to withdraw its support. Lee then struggled to secure alternative venues, facing opposition from local authorities.
Despite finding a venue in a Seoul boat and reducing the attendee count significantly, the actresses decided to withdraw due to safety concerns. The company, however, plans to hold the event in June, reportedly without intervention from Seoul's mayor.
