Actor Lee Yi-kyung is leaving "Hangout With Yoo." It comes three years after he joined in 2022.
MBC TV Hangout With Yoo said on the 4th, "Lee Yi-kyung had many concerns about participating in the program due to his schedule, including overseas commitments, and recently expressed his intention to step down," adding, "The production team respected Lee Yi-kyung's view and, after discussion, agreed to support each going their own way."
It added, "We thank Lee Yi-kyung for showing passion despite his busy schedule," and said, "We will continue to do our best to present good content."
Lee Yi-kyung's agency, Sangyoung ENT, also said, "He is leaving Hangout With Yoo due to a film shooting schedule," and added, "Filming for ENA 'I'm SOLO' and E Channel 'Brave Detective' will continue."
Recently, Lee Yi-kyung faced trouble over a private-life rumor. A German woman, A, on the 20th of last month posted on Naver Blog an entry titled "reveal the actor's alleged true colors of Lee Yi-kyung." The post included KakaoTalk and Instagram DM messages between a person presumed to be Lee Yi-kyung and A, containing demands that A send body photos, along with profanity, sexual harassment, and obscene remarks.
Lee Yi-kyung's side said, "A sent a threatening email to the company about five months ago as well. She pieced together text and demanded money."
Sangyoung ENT said, "Through legal counsel, we submitted evidence to the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul against those who wrote and distributed the related posts on charges of spreading false information and defamation, and completed filing the complaint," adding, "Our company has not attempted any settlement or compensation talks related to this matter. We will not proceed with any such action in any form going forward."