A successful actor, Lee Yi-kyung, was hit by a "stone" thrown as a joke. Yoo Jae-seok, who was beside him, and broadcasting officials also suffered successive blows.
Lee Yi-kyung was embarrassed by a prank using AI. Messages targeting Lee Yi-kyung claiming to expose his private life were made public, and even after his agency announced plans for "legal action", the exposer touted "additional evidence" and eventually backed down. The exposer said it was a "prank made with AI," but Lee Yi-kyung, who had already been hit by the "stone," suffered image damage and is bleeding figuratively.
Earlier, an exposer identified as A posted an article titled reveal the actor's alleged true colors on his blog on the 19th. He released several captured images said to be messages and DMs exchanged with Lee Yi-kyung, and as a result Lee Yi-kyung became the subject of private life rumors and topped entertainment news.
Lee Yi-kyung's agency, Sangyoung ENT, said, "We are preparing legal action against the damages caused by the spreading of false information and malicious rumors related to matters posted and distributed mainly on online communities and social media," adding, "Depending on the seriousness of this matter, we will calculate the direct and indirect damages caused by the spreading of false information and take all measures."
Still, A said, "I am collecting evidence," and in the early hours of the 21st posted captures and videos on his blog and social media claiming they were conversations with Lee Yi-kyung. The account presumed to be A's posted a statement that said, "There are many things I couldn't capture. I don't want to say there is no evidence."
And the conclusion of this private life exposé was, as the agency said, "malicious false information." On the 22nd A posted on his social media, "Recently I uploaded many photos related to actor Lee Yi-kyung. I didn't know a post that started as a joke would get so much attention. As I kept writing posts and using AI images, I started to think it was actually like that. I'm truly sorry for spreading it like a malicious rumor about actor Lee Yi-kyung." All the photos captured in the posts A had exposed were "fake" made with AI. A said, "If there are parts I should be held responsible for, I will take responsibility."
In the end, the damage from a rumor that started as a joke fell squarely on Lee Yi-kyung. Lee Yi-kyung is currently active in variety shows including MBC's Hangout With Yoo and the cable channel SBS Plus program I'm SOLO, and recently joined KBS 2TV's The Return of SUPERMAN as a new MC. With his momentum as a variety star continuing, the mere mention of private life rumors was an image blow.
In fact, until A said it was a joke, Lee Yi-kyung's social media was met with malicious comments and responses asking for the truth. Fortunately the truth came out, but for the time being the "private life rumor" is likely to stick to Lee Yi-kyung like a label. It left a hard-to-erase wound caused by a malicious prank disguised as fandom.
A's prank was a nuisance not only to Lee Yi-kyung but also to colleagues and broadcasting staff. Lee Yi-kyung's main variety show, Hangout With Yoo, recently rode an upward trend after hitting its highest ratings with the "80's Seoul song festival." At a time when the show needed to maintain its momentum, a cast member's private life rumor was an unnecessary distraction and a considerable burden for the person, colleagues and production team. There is concern that attention could shift from Hangout With Yoo to the Lee Yi-kyung issue.
[Photo] OSEN DB.
[OSEN]