Actor Lee Yi Kyung finds himself at the center of renewed controversy after the person who previously admitted to spreading false rumors about him unexpectedly retracted her apology. This reversal has reignited a damaging situation that is now directly impacting the actor’s television career, leading to his departure from two major variety shows.
The Controversy Reawakens
Just days after seemingly being resolved, the controversy surrounding Lee Yi Kyung took an unexpected turn in early November 2025. The woman, identified only as “A,” who had previously confessed to fabricating allegations about the actor’s private life, shocked observers by retracting her apology.
The individual now claims, “The AI explanation isn’t true. I was never sued,” and has suggested she might release what she calls “proof photos.” These new statements directly contradict her previous position where she admitted the content was based on an AI-manipulated fake video and had issued a public apology.
This reversal comes at a sensitive time. Lee Yi Kyung’s agency, Sangyoung ENT, had just announced on November 3 that they had filed a criminal complaint with the Seoul Gangnam Police Station against those responsible for creating and spreading the false rumors. The agency had firmly stated at the time, “We have filed a defamation lawsuit against the individual who created and spread the rumors,” adding, “There has been no settlement or monetary agreement.”
Career Impact Becomes Evident
The resurfaced allegations have already begun to affect Lee Yi Kyung’s professional engagements. The actor recently stepped down from MBC’s ‘Hangout With Yoo’ after a three-year run as a regular cast member. While the show’s production team cited a “demanding schedule” as the reason, the timing coincides with the renewed controversy.
Additionally, it was confirmed on November 11 that Lee Yi Kyung will not be joining KBS2’s ‘The Return of Superman’ as a new MC, a role he had been confirmed for just last month. He was set to become the program’s first unmarried host, offering a unique perspective as a “dad-in-training.” Instead, Kim Jong-min has been appointed as the replacement host.
According to industry reports, the new recording for ‘The Return of Superman’ with Kim Jong-min will take place on November 19, with the episode scheduled to air on November 26.
Agency Takes Firm Legal Stance
In response to the initial allegations that surfaced in October, Lee Yi Kyung’s agency had taken a strong position against the spread of false information. Through their legal representative, they completed the submission of evidence and filed criminal complaints for spreading false information and defamation.
The agency issued a clear warning: “We will continue to monitor acts such as writing malicious posts that damage our artist’s character and reputation, and we will proceed with legal action without leniency.”
When the accuser suddenly changed her story, retracting her confession and apology, representatives for Lee Yi Kyung were asked to confirm the truth behind her new claims. Reports indicate they have not provided a response to these latest developments.
Background of the Original Allegations
The situation began in mid-October when individual “A” posted on social media claiming she would “expose the real Lee Yi Kyung.” She shared what appeared to be private chat logs and photos containing inappropriate conversations.
After Lee Yi Kyung’s agency denied the claims and announced legal action, the person issued an apology, stating she “started the post as a joke and didn’t expect it to get this much attention,” and deleted all previously uploaded posts. At that time, she admitted the content was fabricated using AI-generated images.
Despite this initial resolution, the damage to Lee Yi Kyung’s reputation appears to have been done. The actor will now focus on his scheduled international projects, including filming for the Vietnamese movie I Am Here and TBS Japan’s drama Dream Stage.
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Credits: akp
