This article is part of our coverage of Burning Sun Scandal. You can read more and view the entire timeline here.
The BBC World Service’s investigative team, BBC Eye, recently released a powerful documentary titled Burning Sun, unveiling the many unknown aspects of the infamous Burning Sun Scandal that left the Korean entertainment industry shaken in 2019.
The documentary has revived the public rebuke against the idols who were implicated in this massive sex scandal, including Seungri and Jung Joon Young. Singer Zico, too, has gotten caught up in this new wave of criticism for his association with Jung.
Back in 2016, Zico had revealed on a variety show that Jung had a “golden phone” that was used solely for Kakaotalk. Jung, who was seated beside him, added that Zico would often visit his house and spend time scrolling through said phone. Since the scandal involved accusations against the celebrities for sharing secret footage of them assaulting women through Kakaotalk chatrooms, many netizens were convinced that Zico was talking about the same phone Jung used for this purpose and was aware of his heinous crimes.
He has a Golden Phone. It’s not his regular phone. He only uses it for KakaoTalk. He has a lot of contacts on it.
— Zico
When the Burning Sun Scandal broke three years later, the singer vehemently denied any knowledge or involvement in Jung’s crimes.
The phone that I mentioned on the show had nothing to do with this unfortunate case. All I saw on that phone was a list of phone numbers, and I haven’t contacted Jung Joon Young on a personal level in a very long time. Please don’t make any rash assumptions, and regarding the malicious comments and spreading of false information, I will take strong actions against them.
— Zico
However, in September of the same year, Zico released a song titled “Extreme,” where a particular line ticked people off the wrong way. In the song, he said, “I’ve never seen a video like that, swear to god,” which made people suspicious again.
The BBC documentary seems to have brought it up all over again, with many netizens demanding a probe.
since we’re on the topic of burning sun again, i need the “zico golden phone” case reopened so i stop seeing all these praise tweets about him thank you 😊🫶
— sky (@mongtoni) May 19, 2024
need this case reopened and zico’s golden phone investigated properly this time cos the way his disgusting ass does shit and walks freely unscathed every single time is sick https://t.co/rpLXIFa3du
— 🎀 (@KTHVlBES) May 19, 2024
the way golden phone zico has zero consequences for being an obvious freak and he got away scott free from the burning sun scandal pic.twitter.com/PbPl0bUz8o
— nyxb (@nyxb1) May 19, 2024
Wasn’t Zico friends with JYJ and saw the golden phone? pic.twitter.com/m6QKYOPi5c
— *.ﾟDee⁷ 🤍@ EGGHEAD (@Hoseokslaw) May 19, 2024
They way everyone let Zico get away with his golden phone comment is insane https://t.co/uB8GqWL2QK
— Jude Bellingham Bangtan 🍉 (@PR00FSlNCE20l3) May 19, 2024
Many, however, came to the singer’s defense, pointing out that none of the investigations ever found Zico involved in the case, and neither the journalists have hinted at his involvement. Some argued that the phone he mentioned didn’t contain any videos but just a long list of celebrity contacts, which was the reason behind Zico’s fascination with it.
Why would zico brought up the phone on national television if its has those nasty videos unless he want to end his own career. JJY keep exaggerating by imitating zico but he said he didn’t do as such. There’s multiple articles about this in 2019 when netizen bring up this 2016… pic.twitter.com/MbJ21ClOIg
— HOW’s mina (@taesanwon) May 20, 2024
the golden phone that zico refers to is one with contact of celebrities and not one where jung joon young covered up his crimes. btw, the main journalist in the case already danced to his song after burning sun and most of y’all only want to drag other famous into this by fanwar https://t.co/jv1AAoomcV pic.twitter.com/LVY4A7GEb3
— tae (@ktae0096) May 21, 2024
First of all: Zico was NEVER connected to the case by authorities, and you know they were on them hard.
Second of all: JJY had MULTIPLE so called golden phones and apparently the one Zico saw was the one with contacts only.
Please stop spreading misinformation. https://t.co/r4ICISjytp— Nikka _semihiatus_ (@commonbae_) September 30, 2019
With arguments and counter-arguments from both sides, it is likely that this suspicion around Zico’s reference to Jung’s phone will remain amidst netizens, unless there is any further official information revealed.
