Introduction
Korean drama It's Okay to Not Be Okay star Seo Ye-ji has apologized for the 2018 controversy involving her former boyfriend, actor Kim Jung-hyun, and "Girls' Generation" singer Seohyun.
The Statement
On February 27th, two days after the first press was released of her for Eve, Seo Ye-ji apologized publicly. Fans took this as a sign Seo Ye-ji hopes to restart her career.
“First, I sincerely apologize for the fact thatI'm conveying my feelings so late..." she said in a statement released by her agency Gold Medalist.
As clarified by the picture of her statement above, Seo Ye-ji also highlighted the time she has spent to reflect on herself as a person. She promised she would act more carefully and project a more mature image in the future.
The Story
From June through August of 2020, Seo Ye-ji appeared on tvN and Netflix in the drama It's Okay to Not Be Okay with co-star Kim Soo-hyun and gained more popularity. Dispatch reported that on April 12, 2021, text messages between Seo Ye-ji and Kim Jung-hyun surfaced.
While Kim Jung-hyun was shooting for his drama drama Time, these texts declared that Seo Ye-ji controlled Kim Jung-hyun, who was her boyfriend at that time. The report added that the texts prevented Kim Jung-hyun from filming any "skinship" or romantic scenes with co-star Seohyun, despite that being out of her control.
He was instructed to “do everything without passion” and “refrain from all physical contact.” He was required to inform her of his behavior, identify himself in the messages as "Stiff Kim," and refrain from making small talk with strangers—especially female employees. He can just touch her hand, she informed him. The worst of all, at least from a professional standpoint, was when she instructed him to change the script to exclude any amorous or physical scenes.
Reportedly, Seohyun cried a lot due to his actions, resulting in his dismissal from the show, though it was claimed it was for health reasons on his end.
The unofficial text message translations are as follows:
The agency repelled that Seo Ye-ji manipulated Kim Jung-hyun, saying, “It is hard to understand through common sense the doubtful report that the main actor of the drama would act as he is told by someone without his own will. It is nearly impossible for an actor to act and film without any will.”
It said the text messages between the two were “part of communication between lovers showing covetousness about skinship with others.”
“This can be seen as a typical lovers’ argument among entertainers who are lovers in the production. Nonetheless, all actors film normally, setting aside their lovers’ argument. We think Kim Jung-hyun must have had another inevitable personal situation too,” said the Gold Medalist.
Kim Jung-hyun's Apology
Kim Jung-hyun and O& Entertainment have settled their dispute and allowed him to sign an exclusive deal with Story J Co. in September 2021, a company who fought and prayed for him.
"I think I've been walking around the last few months. I don't know where the apartment is. I was busy looking at myself and felt empty with no place to organize my thoughts."
“I was hard to bear. But at the same time, it was a time that endorsed me to delve into the depths of my heart. I am a person with many flaws. I'm sorry I didn't take responsibility for my choices. I admit my own guilt because I'm quick to blame others and not preserve my own health. This is also a letter of self-reflection that I am writing to myself," he said.
Kim Jung-hyun thanked everyone at O& Entertainment, saying, "Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today. I hope there will be bright days for each other in the future. Thanks also to the many journalists who pointed out wrongdoing before it was too late and sent me several messages through their articles."
"Specially, I bow my head and express my deepest gratitude to the fans who waited and gave me strength until now."
Meanwhile, Seo Yeji will star in the drama Eve (formerly Eve's Scandal), which premieres this year.
Image Credits:
https://www.tatlerasia.com/lifestyle/entertainment/seo-ye-ji-kim-jung-hyun-korean-drama-scandal
https://www.instagram.com/saranghae.ily/p/Cae-NaytEtr/?img_index=2
https://www.herworld.com/life/entertainment/seo-ye-ji-kim-soo-hyun-its-okay-to-not-be-okay
https://x.com/seohyuncontent/status/1381945112859537414
https://www.nme.com/news/tv/crash-longing-on-you-actor-kim-jung-hyun-in-talks-return-small-screen-hiatus-3224655
Authors: Sharon & Ella
