Ahn Joon Young, who was sentenced to prison after manipulating votes in all 4 seasons of Mnet’s survival show “Produce”, has returned.
Ahn Joon Young, a PD of Mnet, previously received a prison sentence for manipulating the paid text voting results for all four “Produce” series. He was found guilty by the Supreme Court and was released from prison in November 2021.
On April 3rd, however, entertainment media YTN Star reported that he has quietly returned to Mnet’s music business department after maintaining a low profile.
According to the report, PD Ahn Joon Young returned to his original position 1 year and 5 months after being released from prison in November 2021.
Ahn Joon Young had previously been accused of manipulating the paid text votes for the 4 “Produce” series, as well as for receiving “bribes” of tens of millions of won from five entertainment agency officials from 2018 to 2019.
The court eventually sentenced the PD to two years in prison and a fine of 37 million won for these two charges. Ahn Joon Young appealed, but both the appellate court and the Supreme Court upheld the original verdict.
Ahn PD served his full two-year prison sentence without a pardon or parole and was released in November 2011.
There are already reactions among industry insiders suggesting a “new audition program” might be released following his release. It is also speculated that even if he does not hold direct authority, the PD may be involved in the program indirectly.
Netizens are showing mixed reactions, with some saying, “It was somewhat expected because the ratings were good,” while others expressed worries that “there might be more victims.“
Source: Insight
