'ToGetHer' participant Han Gyul claims Ri Won tried to set her up on a 'sponsor date' + Ri Won responds with strong denial

The Wavve original lesbian dating reality program 'ToGetHer' is quickly becoming embroiled in one controversy after another.

Earlier this week, controversy arose after viewers alleged that 'ToGetHer' participant Ri Won was a former broadcast jockey (BJ) who held provocative live streams. Ri Won admitted to the allegations, commenting via her SNS, "It's true that I was a BJ who conducted provocative content on broadcasts. It's also true that I dated men in the past. I have no excuses. I sincerely apologize for causing trouble through my past and for hurting my fellow program participants and the show's production staff."

Then, on May 1 KST, another 'ToGetHer' participant, Han Gyul, took to her SNS to claim that Ri Won had tried to set her up on an "inappropriate offer".

She wrote,

"There was no romantic involvement between me and this participant in question. We simply got to know each other as friends. I hope that no misunderstandings will influence the viewers' viewing experience of the program.

After filming the program, I kept in polite touch with this participant. Then, she suggested that we go on a trip overseas. At first, I understood it as a simple invitation. However, as she went further into detail about a 'meal date', I realized that she was making an inappropriate offer. Once I realized this, I declined the offer outright. 

I would like to make it known that I was not the only participant who received such an offer from this person. 

I believe that it is wrong to use one's sexual orientation as a sort of mask to promote the stereotype that sexual orientation can influence one's inclination toward certain professions, especially on the premise that one's decisions were made in the past and that the past is now behind them. 

I understand that people will have different interpretations about what is shown on broadcast. However, please also understand that I am only one participant and merely an ordinary individual. 

Please refrain from making any exaggerated speculations or assumptive interpretations."

Here, Han Gyul used the term "meal date", which is a term used in the broadcast jockey industry as a "date with a sponsor".

Many netizens reacted with anger and disappointment after Han Gyul's accusation, once again adding fuel to Ri Won's earlier controversy. 

In response, Ri Won took to her SNS again to refute Han Gyul's claims, writing, "I know that most people won't believe me because I was a broadcast jockey in the past. I know that the program's PD-nim asked me to wait and to refrain from going on SNS, but I think I'll die if I wait any longer."

Ri Won continued, "I know that being a broadcast jockey is shameful. I know that not all people who are poor resort to such methods of making money. I know that I wore a mask... I also know that some of the participants started gathering information about me after they found out about my past. One even spread rumors that I was being sponsored."

The reality show participant added on, "I understand that Han Gyul, who is young and who wants to work in music, doesn't want to associate herself with someone dirty like me. She probably feels betrayed by me. But a 'meal date'? Why would I drag such a young girl into that dirty industry? No, because I sincerely cherished this person that I met through this program."

Ri Won then followed up by sharing a series of KakaoTalk messages exchanged between her and Han Gyul, apparently of Ri Won trying to explain her position to Han Gyul.

Afterward, Ri Won once again posted on her SNS, "I want to reiterate that the accusations made by Han Gyul are completely false. Once the program finishes airing, I promise that I will not show my face in the media again."