Actress Kim Hye-eun publicly appealed to President Lee Jae-myung after targeting writer Yoo Si-min and subsequently apologizing.
On the afternoon of the 12th, a press screening for the film "City of Evil" was held at the CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Seoul. Main cast members Han Chae-young, Jang Yi-soo, Kim Hye-eun, and director Hyun Woo-sung attended the event.
Kim Hye-eun played the role of Grace in the film; although she appeared in only one scene, she left a strong impression.
However, Kim Hye-eun was criticized after leaving a post targeting writer Yoo Si-min ahead of the March 21 presidential election. On the 31st of last month, she wrote a lengthy post on her personal account saying, "I have never been more ashamed of my Seoul National University education than I am now. I wanted to express my apologies on behalf of myself." Kim Hye-eun graduated from Seoul National University's Department of Vocal Music, while Yoo Si-min is a graduate in economics from the same university.
She went on to say, "Anyone who recklessly judges and belittles someone's life possesses the most shameful tongue of all," indirectly criticizing Yoo Si-min's remarks. In particular, she mentioned Ms. Seol Nan-young, the spouse of presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo, stating, "As a woman who dedicated her life to supporting a man's dream while being a female labor activist, I respect her even more because I feel like I couldn't live that way." She also highlighted her mother, aunt, and actress Kim Young-ok, saying, "Women who have done their best in their own positions are the driving force of my life."
Finally, Kim Hye-eun expressed, "I do not want to be an arrogant intellectual who belittles high school graduates just because I graduated from Seoul National University," and added, "As a woman living in this era, it pains my heart to hear cheap and harsh words today." This post soon raised suspicions that she was targeting Yoo Si-min's remarks, and as the controversy escalated, she later left an apology handwritten on paper.
On that day, when asked related questions, Kim Hye-eun said, "I usually have a big heart toward women and the underprivileged, but (after I wrote that post) things became bigger than I expected, and ultimately, I feel regret as a person working as an actress."
Moreover, Kim Hye-eun said, "Since President Lee Jae-myung has been elected as the president by the entire nation, I believe that Korea must do well above all else." She added, "The film industry is facing difficulties, and at a time when Korean K-content is gaining prominence, the production environment is becoming tougher, resulting in fewer dramas and films being produced. I hope that in such cultural areas, Korea can establish itself as a cultural powerhouse."
Meanwhile, "City of Evil" (directed by Hyun Woo-sung, jointly provided by The Korea Post and ENLIPLE, produced by SFDREAM and DIO Studio, distributed by Film Special City SMC) is a sociopathic thriller that unravels the depths of human nature through the tangled relationships of Yu Jeong (Han Chae-young), who believes in good, Kang Soo (Jang Yi-soo), who rejects faith, and Sun-hee (Hyun Woo-sung), who uses people, in a catastrophic relationship where one must kill or be killed to end it.
"City of Evil" will be released on the 20th.
[Photo] Reporter Kim Sung-rak
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