I am familiar with Park Si-hoo only through a couple of my friends who “fangirl” him. I’d occasionally see posts about him on my Facebook timeline and I did give a drama or two of his a try. But just like anything in life, we have different preferences and he’s not just mine.

When I saw the news about a Korean actor accused of raping a 22-year-old aspiring actress, I took a double take. Was this the Park Si-hoo that my friends liked? I’m not going to pass judgment but as a disinterested observer, I see a lot of things that fans, celebrities and everyone in general can learn from this case.

• Celebrities are anyone’s business and there will always be a sense of Schadenfreude when something bad befalls them. Bad news sell better than good news, especially when it fits the adage that sex sells.
• It’s always easier to believe the worst in anyone, celebrity or not.
• Yes, it’s true, there is trial by publicity and it is even more true and ironic for celebrities who exist in a world that believes that good or bad publicity is still publicity.
• The truth is a precious commodity that should not be peddled by rumormongers.
• The Klieg lights can be blinding.
• To whom much is given, much is expected. Every celebrity should bear that in mind.
• Remember Newton’s third law of motion: For every action, there is a reaction.
• We don’t live in a drama. This is the real world where traffic exists, a quick U-turn is not possible, the bus does not come at the time you need to get on one, it won’t stop at the place you need to get off like right now, and there’s no scriptwriter to change your lines nor a director to shout cut. You’re on your own. And shit can happen.

I’m not in the mood for tea right now but this post is rated RED. More on this blog’s tea ranking here.

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