‘High School Rapper' finalist Osshun Gum charged over sexual harassment of 9-year-old

Osshun Gum's legal team claims he is mentally ill and was admitted to an institution for correction

PUBLISHED APR 27, 2022

Former Mnet rap survival show 'High School Rapper' runner-up Choi Ha-min (Osshun Gum) was held in court for child molestation (Mnet)

Korean media anonymously reported that Osshun Gum aka Choi Ha-min - popularly known as Ocean Gum - was held in court on April 27 for a special trial after being accused of molesting a young boy. Choi Ha Min appeared at the 11th Criminal Division of the Jeonju District Court in South Korea on charges of sexual violence crimes. Osshun Gum first rose to fame as a contestant on Mnet’s ‘High School Rapper’ Season 1.

The RnB/HipHop rapper could not secure the title but was a runner-up in the 2017 show. Following his stint on the show, fans pointed out how he resembled BTS’ leader RM (Kim Namjoon) while famous idols like EXO’s Chanyeol talked about him in support of the up and coming rapper. Years after the rap survival show ended, it was anonymously reported that Osshun was found naked on the street pointing out that he was suffering mental health-related issues.

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Rapper Osshun Gum apologizes for his misconduct due to his mental health condition (Mnet)

Osshun Gum faces trial for sexual harassment of a minor

Korean media reported Osshun’s sexual harassment hearing on April 27 and stated that upon questioning, he revealed that “he touched the rear (of the minor) to eat his feces.” Back when he was first indicted, the child (victim) had alleged that the former Rapper had touched his rear and not performed any act that was sexual in nature.

Osshun's legal team stated that the rapper was having a hard time recovering from his failure as a musician and the mental stress brought him back to his hometown in Jeonju, Seoul. It was revealed that Osshun undressed on the street and was found lying around while in the nude. The defense claimed that he got on a taxi to get away from his hometown and arrived at Haeundae, Busan - where he knew no one - which is where the incident involving the minor took place in 2021.

His legal team claims that Choi Ha-min (aka Osshun Gum) was admitted into a mental institution after his molestation of a minor (Dingo)

Osshun Gum reports mental health issues after molestation charge

It was also revealed that Osshun was diagnosed with a severe mental disorder back in June 2021 and was institutionalized in a psychiatric facility for 70 days. In their final statement, the defense stated that the nature and intent behind Osshun’s crimes are minor when compared to sexual assault and should be reviewed in that context.

Osshun Gum also apologized for his actions saying, “Once again, I sincerely apologize for hurting the victim and his family.” He added, “If you give me a chance to recover, I want to help society with the music that I wish to make in the future.” The follow-up trial to the case will take place in early June this year.