Hwang Seok-hee’s Shocking Past: How His Sexual Offenses Impact His Fame in South Korea

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[MyDaily = Reporter Park Rosa] Translator Hwang Seok-hee has been embroiled in controversy over past sexual offense convictions, and the disclosure that his wife asked the court for leniency during his trials has drawn public attention.

On the 30th, Dispatch reported that Hwang has three prior sexual offense convictions. According to the report, he groped and assaulted women on the street in 2005 and sexually assaulted a student in 2014. He faced charges including causing injury by forcible molestation, quasi-rape, and violations of the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes; in each case the court imposed a suspended prison sentence.

Sources say Hwang’s wife repeatedly pleaded for leniency. Despite allegations of quasi-rape and illicitly photographing a student, the court—citing his expressed remorse and the family’s livelihood—suspended a two-year prison term for four years and ordered him to complete 80 hours of sexual violence treatment classes and 80 hours of community service in lieu of imprisonment.

From 2016 onward, Hwang translated a string of Hollywood titles—Carol, Deadpool, Spotlight, and X-Men among them—and became one of South Korea’s most in-demand translators. He also appeared frequently on television programs such as tvN’s You Quiz on the Block and MBC’s The Manager, maintaining a public profile.

But once his record surfaced, replay videos were flooded with critical comments. Most reactions were negative: “He has a daughter—why would he do this?”, “How shameless,” and “Take his content down immediately.” Hwang said, “I am currently reviewing the matter with my lawyer.” He then deleted posts from his social media accounts and has remained silent.

Hwang married in 2012 and is the father of a daughter. With his past convictions for forcible molestation and quasi-rape now public, attention is focused on what stance he will take going forward.