Lee Yi-kyung defamation case escalates; Agency files charges as accuser's story shifts

The bizarre saga surrounding actor Lee Yi-kyung has taken another sharp turn as the woman who accused him of misconduct, identified only as Ms. A, has flip-flopped on her story multiple times, now claiming it was all a "joke".

According to Yonhap News, this comes as Lee's agency, Sangyoung ENT, has officially filed a criminal complaint for defamation, vowing no settlements, while the actor steps away from two popular variety shows in the wake of the scandal.​

From expose to "joke"

The controversy ignited last month when Ms. A, a self-proclaimed German national, published a blog post titled 'Exposing the Real Face of Lee Yi-kyung,' which included screenshots of allegedly explicit conversations with the actor.

After Lee's agency vehemently denied the claims and announced legal action, Ms. A suddenly reversed her stance, claiming the posts started as a joke and that she had used AI-generated photos.

In a bewildering series of now-deleted posts, she apologized for the "malicious rumors" before contradicting herself again, denying the AI explanation was true and hinting she still had proof.​

Agency takes firm legal action

Sangyoung ENT has responded with unwavering legal pressure, filing a complaint with the Seoul Gangnam Police Station against Ms.

A for spreading false information and defamation. The agency revealed this was not the first incident, stating Ms. A had previously demanded money with similar false claims months ago, only to admit the story was fabricated and send an apology. Sangyoung ENT has made its position clear, stating, "We have made no attempts at settlement or compensation discussions regarding this case and will not do so in any form in the future".

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Career fallout

The scandal has had a significant impact on Lee Yi-kyung's career. The actor has recently left two prominent variety shows: MBC's 'Hangout with Yoo,' where he was a member for three years, and a planned role as a new MC on KBS2's 'The Return of Superman'. While his agency cited scheduling conflicts for his departure from 'Hangout with Yoo,' the timing strongly suggests a connection to the controversy, and the production team for 'The Return of Superman' did not disclose a specific reason for his withdrawal.