Actress Lee Min-jung clarified the unintended controversy, concluding it as a happening.
On the 4th, Lee Min-jung stated on her social media account, "This place is not a cathedral but an event space and restaurant in a hotel that has preserved the walls of a cathedral from several hundred years ago. I am a Christian, although not a Catholic, and I apologize if taking photos on the altar caused any discomfort. I will be more careful in the future."
Lee Min-jung is currently visiting Venice with her husband, Lee Byung-hun, as his film "No Other Choice" competes in the Venice International Film Festival's institutional sector.
Lee Min-jung shared a photo on her social media account that appears to have been taken by Son Ye-jin, but the photo faced criticism from netizens. This is because Lee poses with a luxury bag in front of the altar of the cathedral.
Netizens both domestically and internationally reacted sharply, saying, "How can you take a photo with a luxury bag in a sacred space?", "Why should Jesus be your background?", and "It's disrespectful." On the other hand, there were also supportive comments saying, "Anyone can make a mistake" and "She might not have known since she is not a believer."
However, the space where Lee Min-jung took the photo was a hotel restaurant, not a cathedral. After explaining the location and situation, she apologized, saying that although she is not a Catholic, if taking photos on the altar caused any discomfort, she is sorry.
Meanwhile, Lee Min-jung is sharing various aspects of her daily life through her YouTube channel.
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