South Korean actor Lee Yi-kyung has become the center of public attention after a video showing him in an affectionate moment with Vietnamese actress Hoàng Yến Chibi (Hoang Yen Chi) went viral across Korean and Vietnamese media outlets. The footage, which shows the two actors sharing a warm farewell at the airport, has sparked widespread curiosity about their relationship.
The video, posted on Hoàng Yến Chibi’s personal social media account, captures Lee Yi-kyung embracing the Vietnamese actress before heading to the departure area at the airport. In the clip, Lee leans close to Hoàng Yến Chibi’s face, jokes around, and even appears to smell her hair in a playful gesture that made her laugh. Korean media outlets including MyDaily, TenAsia, and SportsChosun have all reported on the interaction, with TenAsia running the headline: “What is the relationship between Lee Yi-kyung and the Vietnamese actress that they would embrace so intimately?”
The Vietnamese-Korean Film That Brought Them Together
Lee Yi-kyung and Hoàng Yến Chibi first crossed paths through the joint South Korean-Vietnamese film “Mẹ Ơi, Về Nhà” (Mom, Come Home), which premiered in early July. The movie marks Lee Yi-kyung’s first project in the Vietnamese film industry.
In the film, Lee Yi-kyung plays Huy Hoàng, a young man raised in South Korea by his Vietnamese mother. Hoàng Yến Chibi takes on the role of Diễm My, a Vietnamese girl dreaming of becoming a singer in South Korea. The two characters share significant screen time together, which naturally led to a close working relationship off-screen.
Following the film’s promotional activities in Vietnam, Hoàng Yến Chibi was seen seeing Lee Yi-kyung off at the airport as he returned to South Korea. The airport farewell video, which she later shared online, quickly became a talking point among fans and entertainment reporters in both countries.
Media Coverage and Public Reaction
Korean media have described the interaction between the two actors as showing “great chemistry”. MyDaily reported that Lee Yi-kyung “leaned close to Hoàng Yến Chibi’s face and created a cheerful atmosphere with playful gestures”. The outlet noted that the two appeared completely at ease with each other, laughing and chatting naturally throughout the exchange.
The video has drawn particular attention because it marks one of the rare occasions Lee Yi-kyung has shared glimpses of his personal life since facing multiple controversies over the past year.
Previous Controversies
Lee Yi-kyung’s recent appearance comes after a turbulent period marked by serious allegations. In October 2025, a woman claiming to be a German citizen publicly shared private conversations with someone she identified as Lee Yi-kyung, accusing the actor of inappropriate behavior. The accuser later admitted the text exchanges were fabricated using artificial intelligence, calling the uploads “a joke”. However, she subsequently reversed her position again, leading to a back-and-forth that damaged the actor’s reputation.
Lee Yi-kyung’s agency, Sangyoung Entertainment, consistently denied all allegations, calling them false information. The agency filed a defamation lawsuit against the accuser and announced a strict legal response.
In May 2026, Lee Yi-kyung faced another challenge when South Korea’s National Tax Service conducted an audit of his one-person agency. Tax authorities determined that the agency may have reduced tax payments by classifying some of Lee’s personal income as corporate earnings. The actor’s agency acknowledged the additional tax assessment but maintained there was no intentional tax evasion, citing “differences in tax law interpretation”.
Agency Response
Following the latest wave of attention from the airport video, Lee Yi-kyung’s agency has not issued a new statement specifically addressing the nature of his relationship with Hoàng Yến Chibi. However, the agency has previously taken a firm stance against rumors and false information, stating they are preparing legal action against the spread of malicious rumors.
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What This Means for Lee Yi-kyung’s Career
The actor, who gained widespread recognition through popular dramas including “Welcome to Waikiki” (2018) and “Marry My Husband,” has maintained a relatively low public profile since the controversies emerged. His appearance alongside Hoàng Yến Chibi suggests he continues to work on international projects despite the challenges.
The Vietnam-South Korea co-production “Mẹ Ơi, Về Nhà” represents an important step in Lee Yi-kyung’s career expansion beyond the Korean entertainment industry. The film’s release in July marked his debut in the Vietnamese market.
For Hoàng Yến Chibi, the media attention represents significant exposure in the Korean entertainment market. The actress, who plays a lead role in the co-production, has seen her name appear across major Korean news outlets following the video’s release.
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