Korean actress and “It's Okay to Not Be Okay” star Seo Ye-ji made her comeback through a drama to officially resume her career seven months after getting involved in a controversy with her former boyfriend, actor Kim Jung-hyun, in April.
Cable channel tvN’s new Korean drama “Eve’s Scandal” started filming on Nov. 21 and Seo Ye-ji will be shooting her scenes starting on Nov. 24, according to Korean media outlets Osen and Ten Asia.
“'Eve's Scandal' is a romantic melodrama about a 2 trillion won ($1.7 billion) divorce lawsuit by a chaebol that has rocked South Korea.
Seo Ye-ji will play the role of Lee Ra-el, who was born to a genius father and beautiful mother but is transformed into a character with fatal charm after undergoing an unfortunate family history. She is at the center of the divorce.
Her co-stars are actors Lee Sang-yeob and Park Byung-eun, and actress Yoo Sun. Lee Sang-yeob will play the role of Seo Eun-pyeong, a human rights lawyer who loves Lee Ra-el.
Last September, it was reported that Seo Ye-ji was offered to star in “Eve’s Scandal,” which is set to air in the first half of 2022.
Seo Ye-ji was under hiatus for seven months starting in April after Korean media outlet Dispatch published a report that she manipulated actor Kim Jung-hyun, who was her boyfriend then, while he was filming the 2018 drama “Time.”
The report said this prevented Kim Jung-hyun from doing any “skinship” or romantic scenes with co-star Seohyun of Girls’ Generation despite that it was required in the script.
Several articles also surfaced pointing out Kim Jung-hyun’s rude behavior towards Seohyun during the press conference for “Time” held on July 20, 2018.
Two days later, Seo Ye-ji admitted that she and Kim Jung-hyun became lovers. She did not deny the published text messages she sent to him in 2018 in which she ordered him to avoid any “skinship” or physical contact and romantic scenes with Seohyun.
“As a result of checking with Kim Jung-hyun, it was clearly confirmed that the drama-related controversy was not caused by Seo Ye-ji, and he expressed his intention to issue his position about it,” said Goldmedalist, Seo Ye-ji’s agency, in a statement.
About the accusation that she manipulated Kim Jung-hyun, the agency said, “It is hard to understand through common sense the controversial report that the main actor of the drama would act as he is told by someone without his own free will. It is practically impossible for an actor to act and film without any will.”
The agency also stated that the text messages between Seo Ye-ji and Kim Jung-hyun were “part of conversations between lovers showing jealousy about skinship with others.”
“This can be seen as a common lovers’ quarrel between actors who are lovers in the industry. However, all actors film normally, setting aside their lovers’ quarrel. We think Kim Jung-hyun must have had other inevitable personal circumstances too,” said Goldmedalist.
Seo Ye-jin was voted as the winner of Tiktok Popularity Award at the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards but decided not to attend the ceremony held on May 13. She garnered 789,170 total votes to win the popularity award.
Kim Jung-hyun
Last September, Kim Jung-hyun indicated that he was ready to resume his career after his controversy with Seo Ye-jin and his former agency, O& Entertainment.
It was announced on Sept. 24 that Kim Jung-hyun signed an exclusive contract with Story J Co., an agency which manages stars like Kim Tae-hee, Kim Sung-cheol, Seo In-guk and Yoo Seung-ho.
In his Instagram post on Sept. 25, he said, “I took up the courage to convey my heart to those who have made efforts for me and prayed for me. Over the past few months, I think I've been wandering around where I don't know where the floor is. I was busy looking back at myself, and I felt empty with no place to put my mind.”
“It was hard to endure myself. But at the same time, it was a time that allowed me to delve into the depths of my heart. I'm a person who is very lacking. I regret not taking responsibility for the choices I made. I admit my own fault for being quick to blame others and not maintaining my own health. This is also a letter of self-reflection that I write to myself,” he added.
Kim Jung-hyun thanked people at O& Entertainment, saying, “Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today. I hope that there will be bright days for each other in the future. Also, thank you to the many journalists who pointed out wrongdoings before it was too late and sent me various messages through their articles.”
“Lastly, to the fans who waited and gave me strength until now, I bow my head and express my deepest gratitude. Because of you, I was able to gain strength. Using the feelings you sent me as nourishment for my life, I will not fall, and even if I fall, I will get up and walk again,” he said.
He added, “I will walk carefully one step at a time. I will live by focusing on acting so that I can repay you with a good image. Once again, I apologize to everyone who was hurt because of me. And I will devote myself to becoming a better person.”