Lee Yi-Kyung Condemns 'Hangout with Yoo' Production, Resigns

Actor Lee Yi-kyung responded to the rumors about his private life, saying, "I was angry throughout every moment," and provided his...

Actor Lee Yi-kyung responded to the rumors about his private life, saying, "I was angry throughout every moment," and provided his official position. He also mentioned his frustration, noting that following the spread of the rumors, the production team of MBC's *Hangout with Yoo* advised him to resign from the program.

Lee Yi-kyung shared on Instagram on the 21st, stating, "A few days ago, I went to the Seoul Gangnam Police Station to submit my statement as a complainant. I expressed my stance on the rumors and concluded the legal procedure for defamation charges stemming from threats and false accusations," along with an image of the complaint.

He stated, "The reason I didn't speak up earlier was because my agency asked me not to bring up the matter until I had a lawyer and filed a criminal report against the offender. A person who claimed to be German, whose identity and presence are unknown, kept appearing and vanishing, even sending threatening emails to the agency several months ago. The agency told me to stay calm, saying there was no need to fight for the truth against false accusations."

Lee Yi-kyung also explained the reasons behind his exit from MBC's *Hangout with Yoo*, where he had been a regular cast member, and expressed criticism towards the production team. At that time, the show's producers mentioned that his departure was "because of overseas commitments."

In this regard, Lee Yi-kyung stated, "Even though online users said it was made up in a day and then vanished, I got a request to leave the variety show, and we decided to step down on our own." He continued, "During the earlier 'noodle-sipping' incident, I clearly showed my unwillingness, but they insisted, saying they had rented a noodle shop because of me, and my line, 'This is for entertainment!' was cut out. After the controversy broke out, the production team only made a ridiculous comment about being in a rush, leaving me to face the consequences alone, which greatly harmed my reputation."

He said, "I was told that I would only be seen in VCRs for other variety shows, but I found out from articles that I had been replaced." This seems to allude to the end of his participation in KBS2's *The Return of Superman* (Superman’s Return) because of the rumors.

Lee Yi-kyung said, “My current filming schedule hasn't changed. I have recently completed the movie *Generational Regret*, and my work on a Vietnamese film, an overseas drama, and variety shows is going smoothly. Once the warrant is issued, the suspect will be identified soon. Even if they are in Germany, I will personally file the complaint there. There will be no tolerance for those who spread malicious comments.”

In conclusion, he stated, “I appreciate the fans who have faith in me and remain patient, as well as everyone who had confidence in me and stayed by my side: *I Am Solo*, *Brave Detectives*, *Handsome Guys*, and all other works.”

Lee Yi-kyung recently faced a blow to their reputation following statements made by Netizen A, who claimed to be from Germany. On the 19th of last month, Netizen A shared a post on a blog, accusing them of sending explicit sexual messages and uploading several images.

In reply, Lee Yi-kyung's team lodged a complaint against the poster for disseminating misleading information and making defamatory statements. Netizen A then stated, "I didn't anticipate the post, which began as a joke, would receive so much attention," acknowledging they used AI, but later denied it by saying, "The AI statement was false."

◇ Full Text of Lee Yi-kyung's Statement

Hello.

This is Lee Yi-kyung.

The explanation for why I didn't express my position before was because my organization asked me to avoid making any statements until I had hired a lawyer and filed a criminal report against the individual involved.

A few days back, I went to the Seoul Gangnam Police Station to submit my statement as a complainant. I expressed my viewpoint about the rumors and concluded the legal procedure for defamation charges stemming from threats and false allegations.

I felt furious at every moment. A person claiming to be German, whose identity and existence are unknown, repeatedly appeared and disappeared, even sending threatening emails to the agency months ago. The agency advised me to remain calm, stating there was no need to engage in a truth battle over false claims.

Even though online users stated the post was fake within a day and it vanished, I got asked to resign from the variety show, and we decided to leave on our own. During the earlier "noodle-sipping" incident, I clearly showed my unwillingness, but they insisted, claiming they had rented a noodle shop because of me, and my line, "This is for entertainment!" was cut out. After the controversy broke out, the production team only made a ridiculous comment about being in a rush, leaving me to face the consequences alone, which greatly harmed my reputation.

I was told that I would only be featured in VCRs for other variety shows, but I found out from articles that I had been replaced.

My filming schedule is still the same. I have recently completed the movie *Generational Regret*, and my work on a Vietnamese film, an overseas drama, and variety shows is going smoothly.

The outcome you're interested in: After the warrant is issued, the suspect will be identified shortly. Even if they are located in Germany, I will personally file the complaint there. There will be no tolerance for those who make harmful remarks.

Finally, I want to thank the fans who have faith in me and have been waiting for me, as well as everyone who has believed in me and remained by my side: *I Am Solo*, *Brave Detectives*, *Handsome Guys*, and all other works.