Lee Yi Kyung‘s agency is taking strong legal action after a netizen who accused the actor of sending obscene messages admitted the entire scandal was a “joke” fabricated using AI.
Sangyoung Entertainment announced on November 3rd that it had filed a formal complaint with the Seoul Gangnam Police Station for the spread of false information and defamation. The agency emphasized a zero-tolerance stance, stating, “We have not made any attempts at settlement, and we clearly state that we will not. We will continue to monitor these malicious posts and pursue legal action.”
The bizarre scandal began when an anonymous netizen posted screenshots of explicit private messages, claiming they were from Lee Yi Kyung. The alleged DMs contained sexual banter and profanity, causing a significant stir online.
The accuser later posted a full statement admitting that the story was false. “I never knew that posts which started as a joke would receive so much attention,” she wrote. “I gradually started to believe it myself, although I wrote the text and used AI-generated photos.” She apologized for spreading a malicious rumor that began from “a fan’s affection.”
This confession came after Lee Yi Kyung’s agency had already labeled the claims as “complete fabrications.” The agency also revealed that the same person had previously attempted to blackmail the actor with false information, but later apologized when faced with legal threats.
Despite the apology, Lee Yi Kyung’s team is proceeding with the lawsuit.
It was also reported on November 3rd that Lee Yi Kyung has been cast as the male lead in Dream Stage, a new Korea-Japan co-production drama that will air on Japan’s TBS network.
UPDATE
Lee Yi Kyung is leaving Hangout with Yoo.
MyDaily exclusively reported on November 4th that Lee Yi Kyung will be stepping down from MBC’s Hangout with Yoo and will no longer appear on the show.
Lee Yi Kyung joined Hangout with Yoo in September 2022. Over the past three years, he has entertained viewers through various special segments, but his time on the show has now come to an end.
His departure is due to scheduling conflicts, according to insiders. Hangout with Yoo films every Thursday, and Lee Yi Kyung had been juggling his appearances on the show while filming movie Generational Gap (literal translation). That film wrapped up shooting last week, and he has since been cast in the Vietnamese film I Am Here and the Japanese TBS Friday drama Dream Stage (literal title). As both projects require additional filming schedules beyond the regular Thursday shoots, it became difficult for him to continue on Hangout with Yoo.
However, Lee Yi Kyung will continue appearing on his other variety shows, including I Am Solo, Brave Detectives and The Return of Superman.
>> Lee Yi Kyung Scandal Was a “Joke”: Accuser Admits to Using AI and Apologizes
