Lee Yi Kyung is shutting down speculation that his viral acceptance speech at the Asia Artist Awards 2025 was a dig at Yoo Jae Suk.
On December 7th, a representative from Lee Yi Kyung’s agency, Sangyoung ENT, told Ilgan Sports, “He did not target Yoo Jae Suk. There is absolutely no reason he would,” adding, “Please accept the speech exactly as he delivered it.”
During the ceremony held at Kaohsiung National Stadium in Taiwan the day before, Lee Yi Kyung won the AAA Best Choice Award. In his speech, he referenced his recent departure from MBC’s Hangout with Yoo, playfully quipping, “Is ‘SNL Korea’ watching? I’m free on Thursdays now.” He also affectionately thanked former castmates Haha and Joo Woo Jae.
Lee Yi Kyung then turned to the personal rumors he has been battling in recent weeks, saying, “This might not be the best place to say it, but it felt like getting hit with hail when the forecast said clear skies.” He revealed that “the suspect has been emailing our company apologizing and asking for leniency,” before firmly adding, “I’ll catch her. No exceptions.”
Online chatter quickly speculated that his speech was indirectly throwing shade at Yoo Jae Suk—a claim his agency firmly denies.
Lee Yi Kyung has been dealing with public scrutiny after a German woman released alleged inappropriate messages between them via social media. He called the claims “groundless” and filed an official complaint.
The controversy led to his exit from Hangout with Yoo, and plans for him to join KBS’s The Return of Superman were canceled. On his own Instagram, Lee Yi Kyung wrote, “The accuser admitted it was fabricated and disappeared the next day, but because of it, I was asked to leave the show and ultimately stepped down,” publicly revealing the circumstances of his departure.
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