Actress Lee Min-jung revealed the latest news from Venice with her close friend Son Ye-jin, but found herself embroiled in an unintended controversy.
On the 1st, Lee posted a photo on social media with the caption "Photo by (Son Ye-jin) in Venice." In the photo, she showcased her elegant charm in a white dress, while Son Ye-jin wore a black dress and smiled brightly, garnering a warm response from fans. The two are long-time close friends who are active in the same agency, and the rare two-shot led to responses like, "It looks like a piece of art with the goddesses together," and "The combination of Lee Min-jung and Son Ye-jin is legendary."
However, another photo taken by Son Ye-jin unexpectedly sparked controversy. When a photo of Lee posing with a luxury bag in front of an altar in a church, with a statue of Jesus on the cross in the background, was revealed, some overseas fans raised concerns, stating, "It was careless to take photos like a photo shoot in a sacred space." Criticism also arose domestically, with comments like, "The altar isn't a place anyone can step on, and it was careless," and "It looks like they disrespected a religious space."
Nevertheless, there were also defenses, stating, "It was likely an unintended mistake due to ignorance," and "The photo itself is beautiful, but the location was unfortunate." In particular, as the source of controversy unintentionally spread to the photographer Son Ye-jin, some fans expressed regret, saying, "It seems like the backlash has unfairly affected Son Ye-jin as well."
In response, Lee Min-jung shared her position directly on social media on the 4th. She stated, "This place is not a church, but rather a restaurant and hotel event space that has preserved walls that were part of a church hundreds of years ago," and added, "I am a Christian but not a Catholic. I apologize if taking a photo on the altar appeared uncomfortable. I will be more cautious in the future."
As it was confirmed that the location is not an actual church but a hotel restaurant, the situation concluded as a lighthearted incident. Internet users expressed relief that "the prompt clarification was mature," "it's fortunate that Son Ye-jin was not dragged into this," and "it's hard to believe they would have done it on purpose; addressing it quickly was the right move."
Ultimately, Lee Min-jung's swift apology and explanation helped to resolve the situation and avoid unnecessary backlash.
[Photo] OSEN DB, SNS
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