The marriage announcement of the late Choi Jin-sil's daughter, Choi Jun-hee, has sparked controversy day after day.
Earlier, on the 16th, Choi Jun-hee directly confirmed her marriage by posting a long message on her social media. She lamented, "There was news I wanted to share slowly and in the most beautiful way at my own pace, but it became known first through articles that were not fact-checked without my consent." She continued, "The dating period was all wrong and there were sensational articles that made it seem as if I gave an exclusive interview, and honestly I was very upset," and expressed regret, "I did not want to greet the one and only marriage announcement of my life in this way."
Nevertheless, Choi Jun-hee said, "Since many people already know, I want to say it properly with my own mouth one more time. Yes, I am getting married!" as she officially announced the marriage. She said, "Family has always been a difficult word for me," and added, "After a childhood that was only depressing, I long vowed for a long time that someday I would create my own warm shelter. Now, not as someone's daughter but as a wife and as the new family I will build, I will try to live a firmer and warmer life."
About the groom-to-be, she said, "He is a private citizen so I am being cautious," and asked, "Please refrain from unverified stories or speculation. It is a precious daily life for both me and that person." She emphasized, "My marriage is not sensational content but my life."
Choi Jun-hee's marriage was first reported by some media on the 15th. It became a topic of conversation when reports said the groom-to-be is a non-celebrity 11 years older and that the wedding would take place at a hotel in Gangnam, Seoul, on May 16. However, during reporting, details such as the dating period diverged and unnecessary interpretations were added. In particular, some raised suspicions, based on the reported dating period, that they had met while she was a minor.
There was also a kerfuffle over the expression "permission." Alongside news of Choi Jun-hee's marriage, broadcaster Hong Jin Kyung's "permission" was mentioned, but Hong Jin Kyung later drew a line, saying, "Permission for marriage? By what authority would I have that?? I only wish for them to live well. Jun-hee, congratulations on your marriage!" The matter is interpreted as a misunderstanding in which the context that Choi Jun-hee had mentioned in the past was exaggerated and taken to mean "permission" for the marriage itself.
Another issue that followed the marriage announcement was controversy over the wedding photo shoot location. After Choi Jun-hee announced her marriage, some wedding photo images reportedly shot in Tokyo, Japan, spread online. Photos taken in front of Tokyo Tower with a tuxedo and wedding dress, and photos taken in a space densely filled with stone statues were shared, prompting criticism about whether the shooting location was appropriate.
Some suggested that the place might be a space where statues that appear to be "mizuko" (mizuko-ji) are gathered. It was explained that "mizuko" refers to fetuses or infants who were not born due to miscarriage, abortion or stillbirth or who died in infancy, and that the custom originated from dressing the statues in red cloth and praying for the child's repose.
As the controversy grew, on the 18th Choi Jun-hee expressed strong displeasure on social media. She vented, "I never uploaded these photos anywhere, so reporter who posted them without permission, where did you get them… stop harassing them," in anger. Responding to netizen comments, she said, "A Korean photographer who often shoots in Japan designated and shot them, so how would I have known in that big Tokyo. The last area I went to was Osaka when I was in kindergarten," and expressed grievance, "Those photos were never officially released in the first place; they are just among the photos a reporter took without permission and used."
Choi Jun-hee also released a conversation with the photographer indicating an intention to organize and share the shooting route, drawing a line against suggestions that the selection of shooting locations was portrayed as being led by her. She again emphasized, "I never wrote about it in the first place. Deleted or whatever, I never uploaded it."
While marriage is a personal milestone to be celebrated, Choi Jun-hee has repeatedly issued statements since the announcement amid misinformation and overheated interpretations. As the person involved drew a line by saying, "My marriage is not sensational content but my life," there are calls to guard against unverified claims and sensational consumption.
Meanwhile, Choi Jun-hee is the daughter of the late Choi Jin-sil and the late Cho Seong-min, and her older brother Choi Hwan-hee is active as a rapper. Choi Jun-hee is scheduled to marry a non-celebrity 11 years her senior on May 16.
[Photo] SNS
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