Seo Ye-ji loses endorsement and drama deals following controversies
16 Apr – Korean actress Seo Ye-ji is losing endorsement deals left and right amid the controversies that have befallen her since her text conversations with ex-boyfriend Kim Jung-hyun were leaked by the media.
As reported on Chosun, the actress, most known for her role in the series, "It's Okay To Not Be Okay", was revealed to have been dropped by several brands, including health and lifestyle brand, New Origin; cosmetics brand Luna; as well as mask label AER.
Her image on the promotional posters of New Origin's health supplement Inner Flora has also been removed and replaced with posters without her in them.
In addition, Seo was reported to have been dropped from the new OCN drama, "Island", which was scheduled to be broadcast in the second half of the year. The actress was previously reported to have been cast to play the main character.
She was also absent from the press conference of her upcoming movie, "Recalled".
The controversies surrounding Seo started after text messages that were alleged to be between her and then-boyfriend Kim Jung-hyun were leaked by news portal Dispatch, showing that the actress was manipulating and controlling the actor while he was filming the 2018 drama, "Time" - sparking speculations that Kim's withdrawal from the project could have something to do with it.
Following her denial and her agency's defence that it was a mere lovers' quarrel, more allegations about Seo - albeit not related to her relationship with Kim - began to come out, with multiple sources accusing her of school bullying, mistreating staff, and falsifying her educational background.
In 2017, Seo revealed on a variety show that she attended the Universidad Complutense de Madrid in Spain. However, her agency later explained that she was admitted but did not actually attend it as she chose to pursue her acting career.
Her agency has also denied allegations by anonymous netizens claiming that they went to the same middle school with Seo, after they claimed that she was a bully who had been aggressive against other students and extorted money from them.
However, the same cannot be said about claims that she was mistreating staff with her abusive behaviour. Her agency has remained silent about that particular allegation.
Meanwhile, Kim recently offered a public apology following the controversy, writing, "The drama "Time" was the first work in which I played the lead role, so it was also a very meaningful project to me. But I brought deep disappointment and pain upon the director, screenwriter, fellow actors and staff. For that, I apologise."
(Photo Source: Seo Ye-ji Instagram, Chosun, Hankyung)
