Netflix‘s new docuseries, Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult, tells the stories of TikTok dancers who left 7M Films, a Los Angeles management company accused of cult-like practices, and the man behind it.
Robert Shinn, the controversial CEO of 7M Films, and his son Isiah Shinn founded the talent agency in 2021. He also founded Shekinah Church in 1994. What started out as a religious community for Korean Americans became a nightmare, according to former members, who have accused Robert Shinn of brainwashing, manipulation, sexual abuse, and financial misconduct.
This is a cult. This totally ruins people. You hear about the people who went to Vietnam—going through such a trauma, many people cannot function as a normal human being—this is what it does. I don’t want to cause harm to anyone going to real churches.
— Lydia Chung, former member
Though former churchgoers have spoken out and launched lawsuits against Robert Shinn in the past, it wasn’t until 2022, when a Rolling Stone article linked Shekinah Church to 7M Films, that 7M Film came under public scrutiny for alleged cult-like practices.
Although Shinn has stated that 7M Films and Shekinah Church are entirely separate, several former 7M Films dancers and their family members have accused him of forcing their loved ones to cut off contact with them, manipulating their behavior, and more.
Even though we were only in there for two years, it’s still two years of our life that we spent battling to give full attention to [Shinn] and his church. We just no longer want him to be able to do that to anyone: the brainwashing, the manipulating, running people down—giving their time, giving their effort, giving their money, giving all they got for something that is a false hope.
— Kylie Douglas, dancer
Despite being embroiled in controversy, Shekinah Church is reportedly still active in 2024 and has not been charged with any crimes. Robert Shinn intends to launch a civil lawsuit in response to the allegations.
No criminal charges have been brought against Shinn. He has previously denied sexually abusing any member of Shekinah or any client of 7M. The civil lawsuit is ongoing. Robert and his co-defendants deny the claims against them. The case is set to go to trial in 2025.
— Netflix
