Just a day after his acceptance speech at the 2025 Asia Artist Awards sparked controversy, Lee Yi Kyung has officially denied allegations that he intentionally snubbed Yoo Jae Suk. On December 7, a representative from Lee’s agency, Sangyoung ENT, said: “There was no reason or intention to attack Yoo Jae Suk. We hope the public takes the speech at face value.”
The remarks come after Lee Yi Kyung’s speech at the Kaohsiung National Stadium on December 6, where he accepted the AAA Best Choice award. During his moment on stage, the actor said: “Lately I’ve been feeling like I’ve been hit by hail that wasn’t expected,” referring to the sudden and intense backlash he faced. He also shared that the individual behind the recent rumors had sent apologies and requests for leniency to his agency, firmly stating, “We will get them, no matter what.“
He then added: “Are you watching, SNL? Now I rest on Thursdays,” before thanking fellow entertainers Haha and Joo Woo Jae. Fans quickly realized that Hangout with Yoo host Yoo Jae Suk was conspicuously left out, despite the Thursday reference being directly in line with the show’s taping schedule. The omission sparked speculation that Lee had publicly targeted Yoo, especially in light of his recent removal from the show.
However, Lee Yi Kyung’s team insists that this interpretation is a misunderstanding, asking viewers not to overanalyze the comment.
The controversy began when, in November, a German woman (Ms. A) accused Lee Yi Kyung of inappropriate conduct by releasing screenshots of allegedly sexually explicit conversations between them. The content included requests for revealing photos and intimate questions, which quickly drew public ire. Lee’s agency refuted the allegations, filing a defamation lawsuit against the woman, who later recanted her allegations, though not before the damage was done.
As the fallout from the scandal escalates, Lee Yi Kyung exited MBC’s “Hangout with Yoo.” He later claimed that the production team forced him to quit and even accused them of forcing him into a humiliating on-air punishment, which further damaged his image.
As Lee Yi Kyung continues to deal with the ongoing backlash, his agency has clarified: his recent awards speech was not intended as a snub towards Yoo Jae Suk. It remains to be seen whether the public will accept this explanation.
Sources: Sports Chosun, OSEN
