Korean musical star Nam Kyung-ju charged with rape by force; university reviews actions

Seoul — Nam Kyung-ju, a 62-year-old veteran of Korea’s musical theatre scene who is regarded as a first-generation star, has been forwarded to prosecutors on charges of rape by force. As the case unfolds, Hongik University, where he serves as an associate professor in the Performing Arts Department, is reviewing disciplinary action.

The Seoul Bangbae Police Station said it forwarded the case to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office without Nam being detained.

The allegations stem from an incident last year in Seoul in which a woman identified as A accused Nam of raping her by force. The victim reportedly fled the scene and filed a police report. Nam has denied the allegations, while police said the evidence supported the charges and forwarded the case to prosecutors.

Nam debuted in 1982 and has since been a leading figure in Korea’s first-generation musical theatre, starring in productions such as 아가씨와 건달들, Mamma Mia, and Chicago. He remains a professor in the Performing Arts Department at Hongik University.

Hongik University said a disciplinary committee for the Performing Arts Department recently met regarding Nam’s employment status, and a university official said disciplinary measures are being pursued in accordance with university regulations.

Hongik University is a private Seoul institution known for its arts and design programs, with its main campus in the Hongdae area near Hongik University Station in Mapo District.

For U.S. readers, the case matters because Korea’s entertainment sector maintains strong global influence, with Korean productions, performers, and talent ties to international markets and audiences. It also reflects ongoing scrutiny of sexual-violence allegations involving high-profile figures in Korea, and how universities and cultural institutions address such cases, which could influence international collaborations, sponsorships, and the reception of Korean musicals abroad.