Singer apologizes for song on child molestation victim

(Above picture: Singer Ali has apologized to a child rape victim's family for controversial lyrics contained in her song about the girl. / Yonhap)

Singer Ali shed tears upon seeing the father of a child rape victim at the office of her agency Saturday. She kept apologizing to him for her song about the girl. The song was criticized for containing controversial lyrics. The father hugged her, patting her on the back, without a word.

The meeting between the singer and the victim's father took place four days after her album was released. During the four days, the controversy erupted, the victim's family expressed displeasure, the agency recalled the album and Ali made a public apology, along with a surprise confession _ she was also a sexual assault victim.

Ali's first album contained a song titled "Na-yeong", for which she herself wrote the music and lyrics. Na-yeong is the alias of the victim who was beaten up and raped by a man near her home in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, in December 2008 at the age of eight.

Na-yeong had been seriously injured, undergoing several operations. With the case drawing public fury, it has led to law revisions to dole graver punishment to child molesters and brought about better protection of the human rights of sex crime victims during an investigation.

Introducing the album, Ali said she made the song to give comfort and hope to Na-yeong and other child victims.

But some lyrics drew controversy including the one: "I pity your life as you abandon your youth, sell your body and have your soul taken".

People criticized the lyrics for expressing the victim's pain sensationally. Na-yeong's family also expressed discomfort with the song.

She explained that the lyrics described the offender's shameless personality, not the victim's, saying she was sorry for not clearly making people understand. Her agency said it would recall and destroy all the albums.

But the criticism didn't die down. Ali, then, held a press briefing Friday evening to make a public apology. And the confession surprised people.

"In June 2008, I was sexually assaulted by a junior who I had been acquainted with. I wanted to console Na-yeong and raise a public alarm on sexual crimes, so I included the song on the album", Ali said in the written apology which her father read on behalf of her.

"I thought it was a secret that I would have to keep for the rest of my life, but I wanted to resolve the misunderstanding. I'm making this public because my intention and sincerity for the song was doubted".

She said at the time of the crime, she was beaten in the face by the offender, rendered unconscious, taken in a taxi and raped. The offender was sentenced to two years in jail suspended for four years and 200 hours of community service.

"I thought Na-yeong's feelings would be similar to mine. But I made a mistake because I failed to properly express it. I apologize to her, her family and the public".

She said that she once thought about suicide due to the sense of shame but music helped her to survive the ordeal. " Please, please let me sing again", she said, crying.

The meeting between Ali and Na-yeong's father took place at her agency office. According to agency staff, the father brought a flower bouquet for her and encouraged her.

"You are a lady who has a lot to do in the future. Cheer up. It may hurt you but don't cower. Break through it", the father was quoted as saying by the staff.

According to staff, they talked for about an hour. Ali asked him to deliver a letter to Na-yeong, in which she offered an apology and comfort to the girl.

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By Kim Rahn