Translator Hwang Seok-hee, film ‘Project Hail Mary’ poster | Photo=Kyunghyang Shinmun DB, Sony Pictures

As translator Hwang Seok-hee becomes embroiled in controversy over past sexual offense convictions, the fallout is reaching the film ‘Project Hail Mary’ that he translated and even the much-anticipated ‘Spider-Man 4’ ahead of release.

On the 30th, Dispatch reported that Hwang Seok-hee had previously been indicted twice on sexual offense charges and received suspended sentences in both cases. According to the report, in 2005 in Chuncheon he molested and assaulted women he encountered on the street in succession, and in 2014 he was accused of quasi-rape and illegal filming of a student in a course he ran.

That same day, Hwang Seok-hee issued an official statement via his social networking service (SNS) regarding the recent reports about his past conduct. He said, “I am currently reviewing the relevant matters with my lawyer.”

He added, “If the report contains parts that are not factual, unverified content, or expressions that go beyond the scope of legal judgment, I will consider requesting corrections and taking action.”

Until now, Hwang Seok-hee had cultivated the image of a highly gender-sensitive intellectual and a kind mentor through SNS and essays, so the sense of betrayal felt by the public is all the greater. Netizens have reacted coldly, saying, “We are chilled by a past so starkly different from the persona he had shown.”

Sony Pictures

The fallout from this controversy is spreading even to projects Hwang Seok-hee recently worked on. In the case of the film ‘Project Hail Mary’, which opened on the 18th and, buoyed by word of mouth, had drawn 1.15 million moviegoers as of the 30th, there are even calls for a boycott among audiences. Some netizens raised their voices in criticism, saying, “How can we comfortably watch a movie translated by a sex offender?” and “It has thrown cold water on the rise of ‘Hail Mary’.”

There is also considerable concern among fans of the ‘Spider-Man’ series, for which he has long handled the translations. Regarding the forthcoming ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’, due out in July, demands are emerging to “replace him immediately if Hwang Seok-hee is in charge of the translation.”

As the controversy spread, a representative for the films ‘Project Hail Mary’ and ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ told Sports Kyunghyang that, “In the case of promotional activities for ‘Hail Mary’, translator Hwang Seok-hee held a GV (conversation with the audience) on the 14th, but there are no further plans,” taking a step back. However, with time remaining until release, they were cautious and held back from commenting regarding the translation of ‘Spider-Man 4’.

Given that Hwang Seok-hee had worked as a top-tier translator in Korea and had a sizable fandom, the repercussions of this sexual offense controversy appear likely to shake the film industry inside and out for some time.