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The actor Lee Yi-kyung has finally spoken out after several weeks of controversy involving privacy, anonymous threats and forced withdrawal from entertainment shows. On November 21, he posted a long letter on his Instagram account, accompanied by a photo of the criminal complaint lodged against the person behind the accusations, identified as "A".
In this message, Lee Yi-kyung explains why he had not reacted until now, saying he had waited for instructions from his agency so as not to interfere with the ongoing legal proceedings. He says he recently went to the Gangnam police station to lodge a formal complaint of blackmail and defamation based on the propagation of false information.
A climate of threats, rumours and manipulation
In his letter, Lee Yi-kyung describes the situation as a chain of evil acts. He refers to an individual claiming to be German, "whose identity and even existence are unknown", who had already sent a blackmail e-mail to his company a few months earlier. Despite this, his agency reportedly advised him not to "enter into a battle of truth versus lies", preferring to let justice take its course.
The actor also recounts how, once "A" had admitted to fabricating evidence before disappearing, he was still pressured to withdraw from a show. He also recalls the "myeonchigi" challenge case, where he had clearly said he didn't want to take part, only to be persuaded to accept because the production team had booked a restaurant. His phrase "I'm only doing this for the entertainment!" was not broadcast, leaving him alone to face the controversy. He claims that the explanations subsequently given by production ("we were in a hurry") made the situation worse and tarnished his image.
Lee Yi-kyung also revealed that he had learned from the press rather than from the team that he had been replaced in another program, although he had been assured that he would only appear in a pre-recorded segment.
Legal proceedings launched, and a clear message for the accusers
The actor points out that his work continues as normal: he has just finished shooting the film Generational Lamentand is currently shooting a Vietnamese film, an overseas drama and several variety programs.
As for the case itself, he is determined: he assures us that the perpetrator of the accusations will be identified "as soon as a warrant is issued", adding that even if the person actually resides in Germany, he will go there "in person to lodge a complaint". He concludes by asserting that no leniency will be granted to the authors of hateful comments.
Finally, he would like to thank his fans and the teams behind the shows and projects that have remained loyal to him:
"I Am Solo", "Brave Detectives", "The Handsome Guys" and all those who showed their support.
As a reminder, the controversy erupted in October, when an individual promised "to reveal the real Lee Yi-kyung" and published on social networks captures of allegedly compromising private conversations. Following the agency's statement, the individual apologized, claiming that it was "just a game" and that the images had been generated by artificial intelligence, before deleting everything. However, on November 19, "A" went back on his version, declaring that "the evidence was not fabricated by AI" and that "everything was true", re-launching the case ahead of the actor's legal counter-attack.
Translation of his letter: "I am seething with anger at every moment".
"Hello.
My name is Lee Yi Kyung.
If I haven't taken a stand so far, it's because my agency has asked me to refrain from commenting until we've appointed a lawyer and filed a complaint against the person spreading these rumors.
A few days ago, I went to the Gangnam police station in Seoul, where I gave my statement as a complainant. I stated my position on the rumors and followed the procedure for filing a complaint for blackmail and defamation through the dissemination of false information.
I'm boiling with anger at every turn. A person claiming to be German, whose very identity and existence are unknown, keeps appearing and disappearing, just like the one who sent a blackmail e-mail to my company a few months ago. Despite this, my agency once again reassured me that there was no reason to get into a battle to establish the truth about lies.
Although [the author of the message] admitted within a day that his claims were fabricated, and then disappeared, I was nevertheless advised to withdraw from a variety show, and we chose to withdraw voluntarily. During the previous "myeonchigi" (loud noodle-eating challenge) controversy, I had made it clear that I didn't want to do it, but I was asked to do it because [the production team] had rented a noodle restaurant for me; then my comment "I'm just doing this for entertainment!" was cut in the edit.
When the controversy subsequently erupted, the production team's only absurd excuse was that they were in a hurry, and I was left to deal with the consequences on my own, which did considerable damage to my image. In another variety show, I was told that I would only appear in a pre-recorded segment, but I learned through the media that I had been replaced. My shooting schedule remains unchanged. I recently finished shooting the film "Generational Lament" (literal translation) and am currently shooting a Vietnamese film, an overseas drama series and variety shows without any problems.
As for the conclusion of this case which intrigues you all: once the warrant has been issued, the suspect will be quickly identified. Even if this person is in Germany, I will go there in person to lodge a complaint. There will be no leniency for the perpetrators of malicious comments. Finally, I'd like to thank the fans who trusted me and waited for me, as well as "I Am Solo", "Brave Detectives", "The Handsome Guys" and all those who believed in me and supported me."
