Lee Yi Kyung’s agency has issued a statement addressing rumors surrounding his departure from MBC’s variety show Hangout with Yoo, firmly denying speculation that Yoo Jae Suk played any role in the decision.
On December 16th, Lee Yi Kyung’s agency, Sangyoung Entertainment, released an official statement saying, “In light of speculative reports and rumors circulating that differ from the facts regarding Lee Yi Kyung’s departure from ‘Hangout with Yoo,’ we would like to clarify our position.”
According to the agency, they were notified of Lee’s exit during a meeting with the production team. “At the time, the production staff explained that the decision had been made at a higher level and that it would not be reversed,” the statement read. “While we expressed our disappointment, we want to make it absolutely clear that we never asked or questioned whether this decision reflected Yoo Jae Suk’s opinion.”
The agency also clarified, “Lee Yi Kyung spoke with Yoo Jae Suk over the phone the very day, and the call ended with words of encouragement, saying they would talk more when they met in person,” they stated. “After that, Lee Yi Kyung has not mentioned Yoo Jae Suk even once.”
Sangyoung Entertainment concluded by asking the public and media to refrain from spreading unverified speculation or rumors beyond the confirmed facts.
Lee Yi Kyung previously stepped down from Hangout with Yoo following controversy over personal-life rumors. At first, the production team explained his departure as voluntary, but the situation escalated after Lee stated on social media that he had been encouraged to leave by the producers. The production team later apologized for how the process was handled. More recently, speculation resurfaced when Lee did not mention Yoo Jae Suk during an awards acceptance speech, sparking claims of a possible snub.
Former entertainment reporter Lee Jin Ho later claimed that there had been friction between the two sides. He revealed that the production team said the decision came from “higher-ups,” and that Lee Yi Kyung’s side had repeatedly asked whether those higher-ups included Yoo Jae Suk. Lee Jin Ho added, however, that Yoo Jae Suk’s actual involvement could not be confirmed.
>> Lee Yi Kyung Addresses Rumors He Threw Shade at Yoo Jae Suk During AAA 2025
