The personal chat controversy involving actor Lee Yi Kyung has taken a new turn as the German woman at the center of the allegations has spoken out for the first time in a detailed interview. The woman, identified only as “A,” shared her account of a year-and-a-half-long communication with the actor, alleging that his messages turned increasingly explicit and frightening. This exclusive interview comes after weeks of public allegations, denials, and legal maneuvers, including a defamation lawsuit filed by Lee Yi Kyung against her.
The Woman’s Account of Events
In an interview released on November 26 on the YouTube channel Entertainment President Lee Jin Ho, “A” provided her perspective on the situation that has captivated the Korean entertainment industry. She stated that she first contacted Lee Yi Kyung in February 2024 after watching one of his dramas.
She said, “I first sent him a DM after watching his drama because I was interested in him, and I was surprised when he replied. At first, he didn’t believe I was from Germany, so he asked me questions about the country and requested a selfie to confirm, which I sent.”
“A” firmly denied the claim made by Lee Yi Kyung’s agency that she was the first to send explicit photos. She explained that her motivation for coming forward was a desire to prevent other potential victims. According to her, the nature of their conversations shifted over time from positive to sexual.
She described feeling initially flattered by an actor’s attention but eventually becoming scared. “I liked that an actor was showing interest in me, but his sexual comments became worse over time. Like in the screenshots I released, he started saying things that scared me, and that’s when I decided to expose it,” she stated.
Retracting and Reversing the AI Story
The situation was further complicated when “A” previously posted an apology claiming the leaked messages were fabricated using artificial intelligence (AI). In her new interview, she explained her reason for this retraction.
She claimed that “a Korean acquaintance told me that everything would quiet down in two weeks and that she wouldn’t get into trouble.” She added, “I didn’t understand Korean law or culture well, so I trusted that person. But later, I changed my statement because I was afraid more victims might appear and I’d be blamed for calling it AI.”
Contacting the Agency and Expressing Regret
“A” revealed that she personally emailed Lee Yi Kyung’s agency, Sangyoung ENT, in May 2025 because some messages were so strange she wondered if his account had been hacked.
“Since Lee Yi Kyung seemed like a kind person, I thought maybe his account had been hacked. That’s why I sent the email. Afterward, I realized it really was him. He once said things like, ‘I’ll do XX with three of my friends,’ which scared me. The email I sent to the agency wasn’t a threat, and I never asked for money. I just wanted to confirm his identity. When I realized it really was him, I was shocked,” she explained.
She expressed regret over the entire situation, stating that she just wants everything to calm down. Their communication, which moved from Instagram to KakaoTalk, lasted about a year and a half, with the last contact occurring in April or May of this year.
“I’m sorry for making this such a big issue. I do regret it. I hope he doesn’t ever say things like ‘I’ll do XX with a woman’ again, and I hope he lives well,” she concluded.
Lee Yi Kyung’s Legal Action and Statement
On November 21, Lee Yi Kyung broke his silence on the matter by posting a lengthy statement on his Instagram, which included a photo of a criminal complaint. He announced that he had filed a lawsuit against “A” for blackmail and defamation.
He wrote, “I visited the Seoul Gangnam Police Station and gave my statement as the complainant. I conveyed my position on the rumors and completed the procedures to file charges for blackmail and for defamation by the dissemination of false information.”
In his post, Lee Yi Kyung expressed his frustration, describing being “seething with anger at every turn.” He referred to “a person claiming to be a German—whose very identity and existence are unknown,” and vowed to see the legal process through.
“The suspect will be identified soon after an arrest warrant is issued. Even if they are in Germany, I will go there myself and sue them. Malicious commenters will also receive absolutely no leniency,” his statement read.
The court has already taken action, issuing a search and seizure warrant on November 21 for the social media accounts of the accuser to investigate the case further.
Also Read:
Career Impact and Production Team Response
The controversy has had a direct impact on Lee Yi Kyung’s career. He stepped down from MBC’s popular variety show Hangout with Yoo after three years as a regular cast member. A planned appearance as a host on KBS2’s The Return of Superman was also canceled.
In his November 21 statement, Lee Yi Kyung suggested he was forced to leave the show, stating he was “advised to step down” even after the initial allegations were retracted. This prompted a public response from the How Do You Play? production team on November 22.
The production team confirmed that they did advise Lee Yi Kyung’s agency that he should step down from the show. They stated this was because, “given the nature of a variety program that must bring viewers laughter every week, it would be difficult for him to continue.” However, they clarified that it was his agency’s subsequent decision to publicly describe his departure as a “voluntary withdrawal due to his schedule.”
The production team also used their statement to apologize for a past controversy mentioned by Lee Yi Kyung, involving a “myeonchigi” (noodle-slurping) segment on the show, acknowledging it as a “failure on the production team’s part to protect a cast member.”
Lee Yi Kyung’s agency, Sangyoung ENT, has consistently denied all allegations against the actor. Following the initial blog post by “A” on October 20, the agency swiftly announced it had submitted evidence to the police and filed complaints against the individuals involved, vowing to take strong legal action without any settlement or compromise.
Also Read: Dynamite Kiss Ignites Love Triangle as Kim Mu-Jun Shakes Up Jang Ki-Yong and Ahn Eun-Jin’s Romance
Source: Sports Chosun
