Hong Jin Young and her thesis plagiarism: A summary

[juhli.livejournal.com]

Here's a run-down on what happened with Hong Jin Young in the last two months:

- Hong Jin Young is famous for having a Ph.D. Especially at the beginning of her career her degree was often referenced in interviews and variety shows, helping her to get noticed. (She has a Bachelor of Commerce, Master of Trade, and Ph.D in Business Administration from Chosun University.)

- In 2013, the first rumor of plagiarism appeared and she denied them on Radio Star saying, “You all know the world we’re living in. Why would I lie about that?”

- On November 5, a news report said that Hong Jin Young’s master’s thesis from Chosun University had been plagiarized. According to the report, Hong Jin Young’s master’s thesis “Research Regarding Cultural Content Industry Trends Through the Korean Wave,” submitted to Chosun University’s Department of Trade, recorded a score of 74 percent on the plagiarism review site “Copy Killer” after it was tested by an anonymous informant.

- “Copy Killer” is a well-known plagiarism review program in Korea. According to the report, out of the 556 sentences in Hong Jin Young’s thesis, the program detected 124 sentences with more than six words that matched other sources, as well as 365 sentences suspected to be plagiarized.

- In response to these accusations, her agency denied all claims in an official statement and confirmed with HJY herself that she did not plagiarize. They cite the professor who reviewed her thesis at the time, who said it was typical in 2009 (when the thesis was under review) to have lots of annotations of both quoted citations and references and it was a period where many quotes were required to pass the thesis review. And that the system "Copy Killer" began obligatory use in universities beginning 2015, so it is inevitable that a thesis that was reviewed in 2009 when the system did not exist would come out with a high score.

"Hello, this is IMH Entertainment.

We are here to give our official stance on reports from today involving accusations that singer Hong Jin Young plagiarized her master’s thesis.

Hong Jin Young diligently researched and wrote her master’s thesis ‘Research Regarding Cultural Content Industry Trends Through the Korean Wave’ for Chosun University’s Department of Trade.

Regarding the claims in the reports made today that the plagiarism score surpasses 74 percent, we want to present the opinion of the professor who was in charge of reviewing Hong Jin Young’s master’s thesis at the time.

According to the professor, Hong Jin Young’s master’s thesis was under review in 2009. At the time, it was typical to have lots of annotations of both quoted citations and references and it was a period where many quotes were required to pass the thesis review.

Additionally, ‘Copy Killer’ is a system that began obligatory use in universities beginning 2015 and is meant to filter out submissions with more than 50 percent plagiarized content. It is inevitable that a thesis that was reviewed in 2009 when the system did not exist would come out with a high score.

Since there can be misunderstandings, we want to deliver the opinion of the professor who concludes that you cannot view it as plagiarism. Outside of the quoted citations and references, we confirmed once again with Hong Jin Young herself that the artist did not plagiarize in the research of her thesis.

The review system was flawed at the time but we want to convey that the thesis at hand is Hong Jin Young’s own creation that does not plagiarize any other works.

Thank you."

- In reaction, HJY's former professor went public saying that her master thesis is 99% plagiarized, not just 74%. He rarely saw her at school and she didn't attend his classes. "Based on her scores throughout her bachelor's, master's and Ph.D. period, I am willing to testify that all her papers are fake," the professor said. He also strongly hinted at nepotism saying "it cannot be denied Hong's father, who is also a professor at the school, had an influence."

- HJY then posts something like an apology on her IG, where she doesn't admit to plagiarizing. Instead she emphasizes that she worked hard on her thesis “I organized my time, conferred with the professor, and did my absolute best to create the thesis. Even though it passed without a problem at the time, now people are saying that it is being judged by some percent or other, and I am disappointed and frustrated because whatever I say now will sound like an excuse.”
But because of the controversy she will now give up her master's and doctoral degrees.

"Hello, this is Hong Jin Young.

First, I’d like to apologize for bringing up this unfortunate issue. I have worked hard for the past 10 years, pouring sweat and tears into my work, and am disappointed at the malicious gossip that has arisen. I’m sorry for causing so much concern. I am sincerely sorry.

I received my master’s degree after submitting a thesis in 2009. I organized my time, conferred with the professor, and did my absolute best to create the thesis. Even though it passed without a problem at the time, now people are saying that it is being judged by some percent or other, and I am disappointed and frustrated because whatever I say now will sound like an excuse.

However, I think that this is something I should take responsibility for. Now that I think about it, [a graduate degree] was something that didn’t suit me. I think I was too ambitious.

I’m sorry. Regardless of the reason, it makes me sad to think about how I’ve been caught up in this scandal. I am also self-reflecting about whether I was too ambitious in the past. I’m really sorry. I was lacking in so many ways.

I’ve decided to give up my master’s and doctoral degrees. I think that is the best thing that I can do at this moment.

All of this was due to my carelessness and mistakes. Once again, I sincerely apologize for causing people concern."


- On December 15, the Ethics Comittee at Chosun University made the tentative judgment of plagiarism regarding HYJ's master’s thesis. They gave her until Dec 18 to submit an explanation, before making a final decision on whether or not plagiarism took place through a meeting on Dec 23. If this officially determines that she plagiarized, then both her master’s and doctoral degrees will be automatically canceled.

- The deadline comes up and on Dec 18th Hong Jin Young shares a hand-written letter on IG admitting to plagiarism and apologizing for lying.

"Hello, this is Hong Jin Young.

It’s already very late and I know that I can’t undo anything. However, I’m writing because I want to sincerely apologize and ask for forgiveness, even if it’s at this point in time.

On the day that I was making a comeback with a new song, a report came out about thesis plagiarism. I was so scared about what I should say and my mind went blank.

I think that even then, I couldn’t let go of my greed.. I was so scared because I felt like I wouldn’t be able to go back on stage again if I admitted to plagiarism.

So that’s why I was busy trying to justify myself by saying things like, ‘The professor said that there was no problem’ and ‘I’m not going to be lecturing with my degree.’ It was because I was scared that everything in my life so far would look like a lie.

I even had the lackadaisical thought that if I gave up my degree, then maybe people would let it go, maybe they would forgive me. That’s why I used the expression ‘convention.’ Maybe I was only thinking about finding a way out.

If a mistake is made, one must properly apologize and be chastised for it… Rather than reflecting, I was just busy making excuses. I wasn’t able to act in a mature or adult way. I made a mistake.

I will accept Chosun University’s tentative conclusion of plagiarism and I will deeply repent. I’ve also acted very disrespectfully toward the people who even now are working all day and night on their master’s and doctoral theses. I’m sorry. I admit to everything and I will reflect.

I have received greater love that I deserve. I will now pay back that love while quietly spending time reflecting on myself and doing meaningful and good things.

I once again apologize. I am sincerely sorry."



source: soompi 1 2 3, naver 1 2 3 4 5 6, koreajoongangdaily, sedaily, zapzee, netizenbuzz (pic)

Comments

[modestgoddess79.livejournal.com]

I hate cheaters and if she had the nerve to brag about a degree she didn’t earn than she deserves whatever happens to her.

[a-suitcase.livejournal.com]

Urgh my PhD cost me 6 years of my life and also almost my sanity so I'm really not here for people lying their way through this shit. That's just really unnecessary.

[adlyeith.livejournal.com]

I'm not even able to lie to get out of social obligations (pre covid ofc) without feeling guilty enough to make me ill. How she can have a thick enough face to plagiarize entire THESIS to the result of both a Masters and a Doctorate absolutely floors me; I cannot fathom it. She knew, and benefited, for 11 years from a falsely earned degree and said nothing until she was called out on it and had no choice but to acknowledge what she'd done.

She deserves whatever consequences come her way. The fact that her dad is a professor there, you cannot tell me he didn't pressure his colleagues in some way, especially if she managed to pass and at least one professor is saying they rarely saw her in class.

[camouflagecat.livejournal.com]

Your first paragraph- I totally relate, doing this and then just living with it would just eat me alive, I don't understand how she does it tbh.

[baekpedaling.livejournal.com]

This was a wild ride. I wasn't expecting all the answers to be in this one post. I can't at her trying to back her lie then admitting it lmfaoo

[daynr.livejournal.com]

omg, that is a throwback gif

[juhli.livejournal.com]

If she'd just posted that last apology letter from the start on, maybe people would be more forgiving.
I wonder if there will be legal issues for her and an investigation on her father that will follow up with this.

I cant at them pretending in that first statement, like 2009 didnt have proper citation etiquette back then, thats ridiculous.

Also, is she keeping her bachelors degree?

[em-cavey.livejournal.com]

Re: your first point, probably

I remember Kim Hyesoo was accused of plagiarizing her master's thesis and she immediately acknowledged it, properly apologized and returned? renounced? her degree. And the public moved on and forgot about it.

I mean, Hong Jinyoung is no Kim Hyesoo in the first place so who knows, but the fact that she lied through her teeth on broadcast TV is reallllly not going to help her.

[kyungwons.livejournal.com]

HJY's former professor went public saying that her master thesis is 99% plagiarized, not just 74%. He rarely saw her at school and she didn't attend his classes. "Based on her scores throughout her bachelor's, master's and Ph.D. period, I am willing to testify that all her papers are fake," the professor said

lmaoo he was very honest. i've always liked jinyoung cause i think she has a fun personality but this is messed up. it doesn't really surprise me though, celebs want to brag that they're educated but not many of them will actually put the work in or actually realise the work it takes to honestly get good scores at university level.

it's bad enough for it to happen at all but she should have owned up immediately once it came to light

[chaotic-n.livejournal.com]

Apart from the lying, this is a huge disservice to people who go to grad school and spend years of their lives being miserable either bc their advisor sucks or bc their work isn't going well

[broadcities.livejournal.com]

when i first heard about this, i thought it was strange that her plagiarism hadn't been spotted by the university before - them arguing that citation instructions were different then is just ridiculous. but now it seems that her father has had a big hand in it... nepotism is disgusting and this is very disrespectful to all students who are trying to get their degrees honestly and under huge academic pressure

her former professor really threw her under the bus lol

[radowan.livejournal.com]

I'm so angry about this, but I'm also projecting hardcore since I have someone in my phd cohort who is enjoying the full benefits of favoritism gained through nepotism and what she calls "non-financial sponsors", and just the sheer difference between her easy sailing and how everyone else is struggling makes me hate the system even more.

So I aint here for anyone taking unearned shortcuts. Shame on her dad too for facilitating this.

[bauci.livejournal.com]

I just have to throw in here that people in academia hold hell of a gruges and I've seen so many petty fights between professors ending in student's final work getting marked down (sometimes a lot) or sent back. It all depends who makes up the committee.

I'm not saying that's what's going on here but "and she never attended my classes" sounded a bit too personal. Maybe they should interview a few more ppl.

[ah0000.livejournal.com]

obviously what she did was very wrong

but like you said, i’m just ??? about a professor who remembers that 11 years ago one student didn’t show up to classes lmao

[juhli.livejournal.com]

I think that could be bc back then she was already a singer/celebrity and also the daughter of his colleague, so it could very well be that he remembers her clearly.

[aures.livejournal.com]

some people have amazing memory though. my german teacher in high school remembered he taught my mom back when he first started his job, that was -back then- 30-35 years ago and my mom was a very mouse-like (invisible) person. he knew all the students of the whole school by first and second name. some people are like that. i'm not saying it's the case here (it's more likely they remember because she was already a celebrity back then!) but it's interesting to note.

[cairistiona.livejournal.com]

i know i'm late but i wanted to add to your second point a quora story i read about a former student who had a favourite professor. they spent all their time with that professor, went to their office hours every week, did great in their classes, ran a club in the professor's teaching room that was facilitated by said professor. after graduating, the student asked multiple professors for a personal recommendation for the job they wanted, including their favourite professor, who they expected would give them a great recommendation, due to their relationship. they got the letters, sent them off, and kept getting rejected for every job they applied for. eventually they opened a spare copy of each of the letters they had received despite knowing that they weren't supposed to read them, just because they wanted to see why they kept getting rejected. they had multiple glowing recommendations, except for their favourite professor. turns out the professor had said they weren't sure why they'd been asked to give a recommendation since they didn't remember ever meeting the student, having them turn up to their office hours, and therefore they didn't think they were a very dedicated student. i got the impression the letter was quite rude and insulting, reading the way the former student had explained it. cue many tears of frustration from the student, who had thought they had a great professional relationship and had literally seen and spent time with the professor multiple times a week. i personally still wonder what the professor had against that student to forget about them so easily?! and it's not like the student could contact the professor to fix the mistake, since they weren't supposed to have read the letters at all!

so yeah, to agree with you: there's personal and there's baffling/a personal attack, and there's something in the original professor's statement that strikes of the latter imo.

[em-cavey.livejournal.com]

Damn that professor did not hold back lol. How shameless do you have to be to claim multiple degrees without even showing up to classes?

Former grad student here, the phds in my vicinity are earned by the most hardworking and intelligent people I know, who put themselves through years of enormous stress to earn this merit and were often driven by a deep commitment to what they study and a desire to further it. The fact that she thought her daddy could buy a degree for her and she could get famous off it is such an insult.

It was a matter of time before this caught up with her. That school is pretty shady, her father is a known power-hungry, far-right asshole, and she's shady and fake as fuck herself. She deserves everything she gets for this.

[gathyou.livejournal.com]

Thanks OP for the very detailed and clear post!

Man that is just wild
I have trouble commenting, it's maddening that she was enabled this way by nepotism and able to use this plagiarized work as part of a clean public image for so long.

What's the point of entering a Ph.D program to fake your way through it? It's harrowing work. It's so unrespectful for everyone who works so hard for theirs, and all those who fail to even take one of the few spots.

As a fresh bachelor student in 2008 (albeit in a different country), there were clear guidelines about quoting in academic papers. While copy killer programs weren't mandatory, they already existed (I remember how we were all paranoid about adding our quotes the right way so the program wouldn't show a false positive since my school started using one as soon as they could lmao). And she was a doctorate student ffs!!! How did they think this excuse would have worked lol

That ex professor is ice cold lmao. Do they have a personal grudge against her and/or her father?

[xoxkenzxox.livejournal.com]

I don't feel bad for her. Similar to the ridiculous nepotism and scandals in the US that landed Aunt Becky in jail, screw them. Some of us had to work hard just to get our undergrads. I couldn't financially handle a masters or phd.

[sglitzys.livejournal.com]

When I read that her father is a professor there, I knew she was lying. There's no way she didn't benefit from having her father back her up. I don't feel sorry for her at all considering her strong denial and bragging about her degree for years.

[daynr.livejournal.com]

wow

[sjtaazrz.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the recap, OP
As a casual fan of HJY since "Boogie Man," I never even knew she had a Ph.D. Big yikes all around.


But also lol at her writing about the Hallyu Wave for her thesis. I remember when Taeyang graduated a few years ago, and you could read his thesis online. It was about the Hallyu wave too. I bet there are tons of idols/celebs who write about it just by getting some stats from there label about their latest world tour or whatever.

[myungung.livejournal.com]

my first reaction was wtf, this is wild. upon reading deeper, it really stinks of nepotism, especially when her dad is a professor, and probably high enough to influence the other professors to turn a blind eye. which also makes me wonder how many others have benefitted from a masters/phd of nepotism. and then there's the added layer of how so many S.Korean youths have a degree but no job

[pepsi-twist9.livejournal.com]

Crazy how nepotism lasted her this long but Tablo was wrongfully accused and had to go through it twice