Kim Gyu Ri has spoken out about her experience as one of the victims of South Korea’s infamous “Cultural Blacklist,” following the court’s final ruling.
On November 8th, Kim wrote on her Instagram, “The verdict has finally been confirmed. I’ve suffered for years… I just want to stop being in pain,” adding, “My trauma runs so deep that even hearing the word ‘black’ makes me tremble.”
She recalled chilling memories from that time: “I was told the National Intelligence Service had set up an office near my home and that I should be careful. My lawyer even asked if anything strange happened while my house was empty (there were reports of agents breaking into homes). I remember strange people loitering outside for days.”
Kim continued, “After I appeared at an award show for ‘Portrait of a Beauty,’ someone called immediately after my face was shown. One project was canceled on the day of signing, and when I spoke briefly online about the blacklist news, I got a death threat the next day. My phone was tapped too.” She then expressed disappointment, saying, “They say they apologized, but to who? It feels like they just said it into the air. The scars remain.”
Still, she ended with gratitude: “I’m glad the appeal was dropped. To the legal team and all the colleagues who fought through this ordeal since 2017—I send you my warmest respect.”
Instagram에서 이 게시물 보기
The NIS announced on November 7th it would not appeal the damages ruling related to the blacklist drawn up under former President Lee Myung Bak’s administration, adding, “We sincerely apologize to those who suffered material and emotional harm.”
Last month, the Seoul High Court upheld an order requiring the Republic of Korea, Lee Myung Bak, and former NIS Director Won Se Hoon to pay 5 million KRW (approx. 3,440 USD) each to 36 plaintiffs, including actors Moon Sung Keun and Kim Mi Hwa.
The lawsuit, filed in 2017, alleged that 82 artists and cultural figures—including Lee Chang Dong, Park Chan Wook, Bong Joon Ho, and the late Shin Hae Chul—were deliberately blacklisted from state support for political reasons.
>> PICK: 10 Most Influential Korean Stars of 2025, Chosen by Industry Experts
Source (1)
