On the evening of February 24, the Korean newspaper Osen reported that Kim Ji Ho was facing intense criticism from the public for what many described as reckless behavior. The problem stems from a recent post shared on her personal account, in which the actress spoke about her health problems by posting a photo of herself reading in a hospital room. The books he was reading had been borrowed from a public library.
However, observant Internet users quickly noticed that Kim Ji Ho had underlined passages within the borrowed books with a pen. It was also revealed that this wasn’t the first time he had marked the inside of a library book.
The discovery sparked widespread reaction in Korean online communities. Critics accused the actress of damaging public property and acting irresponsibly, especially given her public influence. Many have argued that such actions not only disrupt the reading experience of future borrowers, but could also set a bad example for fans who might imitate his behavior.
For years Kim Ji Ho cultivated the image of an elegant and intellectual actress. But this latest incident has reportedly tarnished that carefully built reputation.
Amid the growing controversy, Kim Ji Ho issued a public apology. In a statement shared on her social media, she expressed deep remorse and pledged to take responsibility for her actions.
“I will purchase a new copy of the book to return to the library or compensate with an amount equivalent to its value. I have learned a valuable lesson from this mistake and promise to be more careful with my actions in the future.”
Kim Ji Ho began her acting career in 1994 at the age of 20. She became famous across Asia after the huge success of the classic drama. Glass slipperswhere he starred alongside Kim Hyun Joo. The tearful scenes between the two actresses remain some of the most memorable moments of early 2000s Korean television.
Since then, Kim Ji Ho has continued to build his filmography with projects such as You don’t know women AND Happy homesolidifying her status as a respected industry veteran.
While some fans accepted his apology, the incident has once again sparked debate over celebrity accountability and the standards to which public figures are held in South Korea’s highly controlled entertainment industry.
