Actor Shim Eun-woo reflected on the difficult times after being falsely accused of school violence.

On the 24th, an interview with actor Shim Eun-woo was held at a cafe in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul.

Previously, actor Shim Eun-woo garnered immediate attention for the drama "The World of the Married" but suspended activities in 2021 due to allegations of school violence. At that time, an anonymous writer, referred to as A, claimed that Shim Eun-woo had bullied him during middle school, to which Shim Eun-woo rebutted, "It is true that we did not have a good relationship, but there was no violence." However, as the controversy grew, he apologized, saying, "If I hurt anyone with immature words or actions, I am sorry."

Later, in 2023, Shim Eun-woo appealed for his innocence, stating, "The apology letter at that time was not an admission of school violence but stemmed from misunderstanding." He also filed a defamation lawsuit against A for false information, but the police ruled there was insufficient evidence to proceed.

Amid this, on the 21st, Shim Eun-woo released a lengthy statement after about two years, once again appealing for his innocence and stating, "I want to live. I want to keep living."

About a four-year gap following the false accusation of school violence. Regarding that time, Shim Eun-woo recalled during the interview on this day, "I was very fortunate to have practiced yoga since university, and I obtained my yoga certification around 2018. So actually, during the filming of 'The World of the Married', I was working as an instructor on the side. After that incident, in 2022, I realized I couldn't survive doing nothing. So, I needed to keep myself busy and thought I should not give myself a chance to dwell on my issues. During that time, a small space to run a yoga studio became available, and I met a kind building owner. I had no money at all. They allowed me to operate without taking a deposit and charged really low rent."

He continued, "While running the yoga studio, really good people came, and I found my daily routine there. But I couldn't imagine that this issue would last so long. While I was managing the yoga studio with difficulty, I thought it would be resolved the next year, but it didn't," adding, "Running the yoga studio was not my dream, but since I am still managing it, I also got exhausted. Around August last year, my health deteriorated the most, and I had to stop. However, the second notice from A, which included a monetary demand, also came to the yoga studio."

He stated, "Honestly, I didn't make money from running the yoga studio. I did it not to profit, but because I wanted to survive somehow. I was not someone who had run a business. I just managed to sustain it with difficulty. I couldn't just stop and do nothing. I needed to earn for pet expenses, for legal fees, and while it wasn't a massive amount, there were also advertisement penalties, so I received some help from friends and banks. Now, I have a few personal lessons going on, and I'm currently teaching."

When asked about the driving force that helped him endure those tough times, Shim Eun-woo revealed, "I thought a lot about this. 'If I die, is it only a loss for me?'" He choked up, adding, "No one acknowledges me, and even now, they don't believe what I say. I don't think dying would change that."

He also remarked, "Not just recently, but there have been a series of incidents involving entertainers. They are forgotten, faces are attacked online, and untrue information circulates. Seeing those cases, I thought a lot about, 'I must not die.' Also, since coming back to my daily life, I have been raising two cats and one dog. I adopted the cats in 2019 and the dog last year. That has been immensely meaningful. The value of daily life with those kids seems very significant to me."

Moreover, he expressed, "Now, for the first time, I'm able to say what I want to say at length. The only thing left for the future seems to be that I must not lose to myself. I want to tell myself to hang in there a little more," as tears came to his eyes. (Continued in Interview②.)

[Photo] Provided by the individual

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