On December 6 at the 10th Asia Artist Awards 2025 held in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, actor Lee Yi Kyung attracted enormous attention, not only for winning the AAA Best Choice Award, but for what he didn’t say in his acceptance speech.
After thanking his agency and acknowledging his recent struggles, Lee Yi Kyung indirectly addressed his exit from the Hangout with MBC’s Yoo by stating:
“Are you watching, SNL Korea? Now I rest on Thursdays.”
He then thanked fellow castmates Haha and Joo Woo Jae, expressing that he missed them. However, he notably omitted the name of Yoo Jae Suk, the show’s central figure and Korea’s national MC.
This omission has set social media ablaze, with netizens speculating a deliberate “public snub.”
“Did Lee Yi Kyung just insult Yoo Jae Suk on stage?”
“Is this his way of saying Yoo was behind his removal from the show?”
“This seems like a clear sign of breaking ties.”
Others, however, criticized the actor’s judgment in venting complaints during a celebratory event:
“Was this really the time and place?”
“Why make things worse by drawing attention to those who are missing?”
The controversy stems from Lee Yi Kyung’s previous claims that he was forced to leave Hangout with Yoo following a scandal involving explicit messages allegedly exchanged with a German woman. The woman publicly shared screenshots on her blog in October, accusing the actor of inappropriate behavior. The post included DMs from KakaoTalk and Instagram, sparking huge backlash.
Although the accuser later apologized, saying she did not expect the incident to gain so much publicity, Lee Yi Kyung’s agency filed a complaint for defamation and spreading false information.
Lee Yi Kyung has maintained his stance that his departure from the show was not voluntary. “I was warned by the production team,” he wrote on social media. “This was not my decision.“
In response, the producers of Hangout with Yoo clarified:
“We recommended Lee Yi Kyung’s departure to his agency. They later decided to call it a scheduling conflict. We also asked the other cast members to frame it as a voluntary exit, as a form of consideration for Lee Yi Kyung.”
“Please refrain from blame or misdirected speculation towards other cast members,” the statement adds, seemingly addressing the backlash towards Yoo Jae Suk.
Now, Lee Yi Kyung’s marked silence on Yoo Jae-suk during his speech is fueling theories that the “voluntary exit” was anything but amicable. Whether an intentional snub or an emotional misjudgment, one thing is certain: His remarks have reignited public interest in the behind-the-scenes drama.
As the dust settles, netizens remain divided: Was this a bold move of personal honesty or a deplorable lack of professionalism?
In any case, Lee Yi Kyung’s silence may have spoken louder than any name ever could.
Sources: Ten Asia, MBC, AAA 2025
