An individual who sparked controversy by exposing actor Lee Yi-kyung's private life suddenly changed their stance. The person, identified as A, posted an official apology saying it was a prank using AI.
On the 22nd, A confessed on their social media, "I recently posted many photos related to actor Lee Yi-kyung. It started as a joke, but I didn't expect it to receive this much attention." He bowed his head, saying, "As I made AI photos, they felt real, and as a result they spread like malicious rumors, for which I am truly sorry."
He said, "What started as fandom turned into emotional involvement. It began as fun, but I feel guilty. If there are parts I must take responsibility for, I will take responsibility," and added, "I am German, so my expression is awkward. Please understand without misunderstanding."
Earlier, on the 19th, A became the center of controversy by releasing message captures and direct message contents, saying, "I will expose Lee Yi-kyung's true self." The posts spread quickly and sparked debate over their authenticity, but the situation was overturned within three days by A's confession that "the photos were fictional images made with AI."
In response, Lee Yi-kyung's agency warned of a strong response, saying, "We are preparing legal action over false information and malicious rumors," and adding, "We will assess the scale of the damage caused by the serious defamation and take all legal measures."
Online, critical public opinion continues with comments such as "They ruined a person's image and call it a prank," "It was too specific to be an AI prank," and "An apology is not enough."
Meanwhile, Lee Yi-kyung's season 1 of the tvN variety show Handsome Guys, in which he appears, will enter a brief break after the broadcast on the 23rd. The program is expected to return as a new season in early next year after reorganization, and will be succeeded by Sixth Sense city tour 2.
Although the broadcasting industry was briefly unsettled by recent private life rumors, the controversy subsided after the exposure was found to be "AI manipulation." Broadcast producers and fans who trusted the agency's official position are sending messages of support to Lee Yi-kyung, calling him "the actor who kept his center amid false rumors."
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]