Go Young Wook Sparks Fresh Backlash After Targeting Celebrities in New SNS Posts

Go Young Wook is once again drawing widespread criticism after posting a series of controversial social media messages aimed at multiple Korean celebrities, reigniting public debate over the disgraced former singer’s continued online presence.

The former Roo’ra member, who was convicted in a high-profile case involving the sexual assault of minors, has recently taken aim at fellow entertainers, TV personalities and even well-known dog trainers through lengthy posts on his personal social media account.

From Roo’ra Memories to Public Criticism

On July 19, Go shared a lengthy post recalling a recent meeting with the former CEO of Roo’ra’s agency.

Reflecting on the group’s early career, he claimed Roo’ra had once insisted that broadcaster Tak Jae-hoon appear alongside them on television programs, crediting the veteran entertainer’s early opportunities to the agency’s support.

Go also accused Tak of keeping a birthday gift that had allegedly been intended for him years ago, while urging former Roo’ra members and Tak to reconnect with their former agency head, suggesting his time may be limited.

The post quickly spread online, with many viewers questioning why decades-old personal grievances were being aired publicly.

Pungja, Animal Farm and Kang Hyung-wook Also Drawn Into the Debate

Go’s criticism didn’t stop there.

On the same day, he shared an article about YouTuber and TV personality Pungja, commenting that television had become increasingly accepting of “all kinds of people.” He also mocked SBS variety show My Little Old Boy after briefly seeing Pungja appear on the program.

The following day, Go turned his attention to the controversy surrounding dog trainer Lee Chan-jong, who was previously charged with forcibly molesting a junior trainer but was ultimately acquitted in court.

Using the case as an example, Go criticized SBS’s long-running program TV Animal Farm, arguing that the show had distanced itself from Lee too quickly despite the eventual not-guilty verdict. He compared the situation to his own departure from television years earlier.

Go also criticized celebrity dog trainer Kang Hyung-wook, accusing him of making disrespectful remarks about Lee during the investigation and suggesting Kang should focus on improving his own character.

Public Reaction Remains Largely Critical

This is far from the first time Go Young Wook has generated headlines through provocative social media posts. He has previously criticized major television figures including Shin Dong-yup and Yoo Jae-suk, with those remarks similarly receiving widespread backlash.

Go debuted as a member of Roo’ra in 1994 and later appeared on numerous variety shows, including TV Animal Farm. His entertainment career came to an abrupt end after his conviction in 2013 for repeatedly sexually assaulting minors. He was sentenced to two years and six months in prison, ordered to wear an electronic ankle monitor for three years, and subjected to public disclosure of his personal information.

Following his release in 2015, the removal of his electronic monitoring order in 2018 and the expiration of his public disclosure period in 2020, Go returned to social media and has periodically hinted at a desire to resume public activities. He also launched a YouTube channel in 2024, though it was later shut down by the platform.

Despite repeated attempts to re-enter public conversation, the response to his latest posts has remained overwhelmingly negative. Rather than focusing on reflection over his criminal convictions, many online commenters argue that Go continues to direct criticism at others—fueling yet another wave of public backlash.