Actor Lee Yi-kyung was embroiled in a controversy over allegedly targeting Yoo Jae-suk, and his agency issued a statement directly. The agency said that Lee Yi-kyung not mentioning broadcaster Yoo Jae-suk's name in his acceptance speech was not an intentional act and is a misunderstanding.
On the 7th, a representative of Lee Yi-kyung's agency Sangyoung ENT officially drew a line, telling OSEN, "Please accept actor Lee Yi-kyung's recent acceptance speech as it was," and "There was absolutely no intention to target or mock Yoo Jae-suk."
On the 6th, Lee Yi-kyung won the 'AAA best choice' award at the 10th Asia Artist Awards 2025 (AAA 2025) held at the National Stadium in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. After taking the stage he said, "I sincerely thank the staff. I also thank the head of my agency," and after offering his thanks he directly addressed recent private-life rumor controversies surrounding him.
He said, "In this festive atmosphere it may not fit, but lately it felt like hail fell on me that wasn't in the weather forecast. The suspect is currently sending apologies and pleas for leniency via the company email. I will definitely catch them," drawing applause.
But a follow-up remark sparked an unexpected controversy. Lee Yi-kyung added, "SNL Korea, are you watching? I'm off on Thursdays now. Ha-ha hyung, Woo-jae hyung, I miss you," which drew attention. The issue is that the recording day of MBC's Hangout With Yoo, from which Lee Yi-kyung left, is Thursday.
The remark was interpreted as indirectly referring to an uncomfortable relationship with the program, leading to speculation that he was 'passing over' Yoo Jae-suk. The people Lee Yi-kyung mentioned were only Hangout With Yoo regular members Haha and Joo Woo-jae.
Some netizens reacted, "Isn't the fact that he mentioned everyone who appeared together except Yoo Jae-suk intentional?" and "It sounds like he was indirectly expressing dissatisfaction about his leaving."
In fact, Yoo Jae-suk explained after Lee Yi-kyung's departure became known that "he left because he had many drama and film schedules," but some viewers left malicious comments saying, "Yoo Jae-suk did not protect his junior." Ultimately, Yoo Jae-suk's agency Antenna announced the day before that it would take legal action against false rumors and malicious posts.
Lee Yi-kyung's side said, "The acceptance speech was simply him honestly expressing gratitude and thoughts at his first official event in a while," adding, "There was no intention to target a specific person, and we regret that the situation is being discussed as a controversy."
Earlier, Lee Yi-kyung had suffered from an exposé post in which an overseas internet user claimed, "I had sexual conversations with Lee Yi-kyung." The person initially apologized saying, "The post was manipulated by AI," but a few days later reversed their position, saying, "All the evidence was real."
Lee Yi-kyung's side filed a complaint on charges of spreading false information and defamation and is firmly responding, saying they are awaiting investigation by investigative authorities.
Meanwhile, despite the controversy Lee Yi-kyung's appearance in the Japanese TBS Friday drama DREAM STAGE has been confirmed, and it is scheduled to air in January 2026.
[photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]