Actor Lee Yi-kyung's side explained rumors related to Yu Jae-seok that surfaced during the process of leaving Hangout With Yoo.
Lee Yi-kyung's agency Sangyoung ENT said on the 16th, "We are delivering this statement to correct speculative reports and rumors that differ from the facts being raised by some regarding our actor Lee Yi-kyung's departure from the MBC variety program Hangout With Yoo."
The agency said, "We were notified of the departure at a meeting with the production team of Hangout With Yoo, and at that time the production team conveyed that 'this is a matter decided above and there will be no reversal.'" It added, "We make it clear that we only expressed regret at the production team's decision and never asked or inquired whether that decision reflected Yu Jae-seok's opinion."
It continued, "On the day of the departure notice, Mr. Lee Yi-kyung had a phone conversation with Mr. Yu Jae-seok in which they spoke with regret, and the call ended with words of encouragement such as 'let's meet later and talk.'" It emphasized, "After that, Mr. Lee Yi-kyung never mentioned Mr. Yu Jae-seok even once."
Finally, the agency asked, "We request that you refrain from spreading speculative reports or rumors whose facts have not been confirmed beyond the above content."
Meanwhile, Lee Yi-kyung became embroiled in controversy after private life rumors were exposed, and ultimately the Hangout With Yoo production team said, "Lee Yi-kyung had many concerns about participating in the program because of schedules including overseas commitments, and he recently expressed his intention to leave," announcing that he was leaving voluntarily. Lee Yi-kyung, who had joined Hangout With Yoo as a member in Sept. 2022, is leaving Yu Jae-seok's side after three years.
However, on the 21st of last month Lee Yi-kyung posted his position on social media regarding the private life rumors, saying he was encouraged by the production team during the process of leaving Hangout With Yoo, which caused an uproar. The production team ultimately explained the process of Lee Yi-kyung's departure and apologized for the controversy, but another controversy arose over whether Lee Yi-kyung's omission of Yu Jae-seok when thanking Hangout With Yoo members during a recent awards acceptance speech was a targeted shot.
The agency statement follows.
Hello, this is Sangyoung ENT.
We are delivering this statement to correct speculative reports and rumors that differ from the facts being raised by some regarding our actor Lee Yi-kyung's departure from the MBC variety program Hangout With Yoo.
We were notified of the departure at a meeting with the production team of Hangout With Yoo, and at that time the production team conveyed, "this is a matter decided above and there will be no reversal." We make it clear that we only expressed regret at the production team's decision and never asked or inquired whether that decision reflected Yu Jae-seok's opinion.
On the day of the departure notice, Mr. Lee Yi-kyung had a phone conversation with Mr. Yu Jae-seok in which they spoke with regret, and the call ended with words of encouragement such as "let's meet later and talk."
After that, Mr. Lee Yi-kyung never mentioned Mr. Yu Jae-seok even once.
We ask that you refrain from spreading speculative reports or rumors whose facts have not been confirmed beyond the above content.<
[photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]