It was December 2016, and the crowd at Road FC 35 in Seoul was buzzing. Park Dae-sung had just secured a hard-fought win over Kim Kyeong-pyo. You know that post-fight adrenaline? It’s a hell of a drug. But what happened next turned a celebration into a nationwide controversy and a legal headache that nobody saw coming.
Park, in a moment of sheer excitement, grabbed the ring girl, Choi Seol-hwa, by the waist for a victory photo. He pulled her in hard. She looked visibly uncomfortable, almost stumbling. He did it again a few seconds later. To many watching live and on the broadcast, it didn't look like a hug; it looked like a forced physical encounter. Within hours, the internet had already convicted him.
The Viral Moment That Sparked an Outcry
Kinda weird how fast things move, right? One minute you’re a winning fighter, the next you’re the face of "sexual harassment in sports." The footage of Park Dae-sung and the ring girl went everywhere. People weren't just annoyed; they were furious. Choi Seol-hwa later posted on social media about how shocked and upset she was, which basically poured gasoline on the fire.
The public reaction was swift. In South Korea, where "manners" and public conduct are held to a very high standard, this wasn't just seen as an awkward mistake. It was viewed as a blatant lack of respect for Choi's personal space and professional boundaries.
- The Action: Park grabbed Choi Seol-hwa’s waist twice to force her into a photo.
- The Response: Public outrage led to a formal police investigation.
- The Consequence: Park faced disciplinary action from Road FC and a major hit to his reputation.
Honestly, the optics were terrible. You’ve got a professional fighter—someone trained to be physically dominant—using that strength to manhandle a woman who is just trying to do her job. It felt like a massive power imbalance played out in front of thousands of people.
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The Legal and Professional Fallout
Most people think this was just a social media "cancellation," but it actually went to the cops. Park was investigated for "forcible indecent acts." That’s a heavy label for a celebration gone wrong.
Road FC didn't just sit on their hands, either. They hit him with a "social service" penalty. Basically, he had to do community work to make up for the damage he caused to the organization’s image. They wanted to make it clear that while they are a fighting promotion, they aren't a lawless one.
The police eventually cleared him of criminal charges. Why? They figured there wasn't "criminal intent." They saw it as a hyper-aggressive, bone-headed move rather than a pre-meditated assault. But legally cleared doesn't mean socially forgiven.
Why Park Dae-sung Became a Lesson in Consent
There's this idea that because ring girls are there to be seen, their personal space is somehow public property. This incident blew that idea apart. It forced a conversation about "hover hands" versus "grabbing," and why a person’s job title doesn't waive their right to body autonomy.
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Park did try to apologize. In fact, he tried to apologize to Choi in person, but she initially refused to see him. Can you blame her? When he finally did get a chance to apologize, it was a very formal, televised affair. He looked humbled, sure, but the "Park Dae-sung ring girl" tag has followed him ever since.
The Return and the "Phobia"
Here is the really interesting part: Park’s behavior changed drastically after the scandal. In his next fight at Road FC 36, he won again. But this time, when the ring girl approached him for the photo op?
He ran away.
Seriously. He literally sprinted to the other side of the cage. He was so terrified of touching her or being accused of anything else that he wouldn't even stand within three feet of her. It was comical to some, but it showed just how much the previous incident had messed with his head. He had developed a literal "ring girl phobia."
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Key Lessons from the Park Dae-sung Incident
Look, we can debate whether the reaction was "too much," but the reality is that the sports world changed after this. Here are the actionable takeaways if you’re ever in a high-adrenaline public situation (or just living your life):
- Adrenaline is not an excuse. Winning a fight or getting a promotion doesn't give you a pass to ignore social cues.
- Read the room. Choi Seol-hwa’s body language was screaming "get me out of here" long before the second grab.
- Personal space is absolute. Unless you have an established rapport with someone, keep your hands to yourself during photos.
- Reputation is fragile. Park is a talented fighter, but for a huge chunk of the population, he’s just "that guy who grabbed the ring girl."
The "Park Dae-sung ring girl" saga ended with the fighter moving to ONE Championship, where he’s carved out a solid career. He’s focused on his grappling and his striking, trying to let his performance in the cage outshine that one night in 2016. It's a reminder that while the internet never forgets, you can still move forward—as long as you actually learn the lesson.
Next Steps for Understanding MMA Culture:
To get a better grip on how fighter conduct is managed today, look into the updated Code of Conduct policies from major promotions like the UFC and ONE Championship. These documents now specifically outline "professional interaction" with staff, including ring card ambassadors, to prevent exactly what happened with Park and Choi.