Lee Yi-kyung Faces Fallout from Personal Rumors: Show Departures, Canceled Appearances Amidst Twists from Accuser

Actor Lee Yi-kyung is facing significant career disruptions following personal rumors, leading to his departure from a variety show he was appearing on, the cancellation of scheduled appearances, and inability to participate in filming.

The situation has become increasingly complex as the initial accuser, identified as 'A', has retracted her claims and resurfaced, adding another layer of confusion.

The personal rumor saga involving Lee Yi-kyung unfolded over three days, from March 20th to 23rd. 'A', who claimed to be a German woman, alleged intimate conversations with Lee Yi-kyung, including implications of sexual assault, which quickly escalated into a major controversy.

Initially, 'A's' incoherent statements and inconsistent narrative cast doubt on her credibility. Lee Yi-kyung's agency promptly issued a statement calling the allegations "false information" and threatened legal action, seemingly bringing the matter to a close.

However, 'A' then revealed her main social media account, denied demanding money, and stated her goal was to expose Lee Yi-kyung's character. She further released direct message videos, purportedly sent to Lee Yi-kyung.

Just as the situation seemed poised to drag on, 'A' unexpectedly confessed, stating, "I apologize for spreading malicious rumors because the AI-generated photos started to feel real. What began as fan sentiment turned into emotional involvement. I wrote it for fun, but it felt real, and I feel guilty. I will take responsibility if there are parts I need to be held accountable for."

Despite this confession, Lee Yi-kyung has suffered considerable damage. He stepped down from MBC's 'How Do You Play?' and his planned debut as the first single father MC on KBS2's 'The Return of Superman' was canceled. He also missed the filming for E Channel's 'Brave Detectives'. While the agency cited schedule conflicts due to filming for his projects, the cancellation of 'The Return of Superman' could not ignore the influence of the personal rumors.

Coincidentally, as Lee Yi-kyung's show departures and cancellations were being reported, 'A' resurfaced. Shortly after the news of his exit from 'How Do You Play?' broke, she posted a cryptic message on her social media: "Debating whether to re-upload proof. It feels a bit off if it ends like this. It's somewhat unfair because I'm not AI. Making me a victim of a bad guy."

Lee Yi-kyung's agency reiterated their firm stance on March 3rd, stating, "We have completed the submission of evidence and filed a complaint with the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul against the creator and distributors of the relevant posts for spreading false information and defamation through our legal representative. We clearly state that there have been no settlement attempts or compensation discussions regarding this matter, nor will there be in any form going forward."

However, when asked "Did you get sued?", 'A' replied, "I wasn't." After seeing the agency's official statement regarding the lawsuit, she claimed, "The AI thing was a lie. This is the first I'm hearing of it," retracting her apology and confession.

The personal rumor issue surrounding Lee Yi-kyung, which seemed to be resolved within three days, has entered a new phase with 'A's' retracted statements and Lee Yi-kyung's subsequent career setbacks.

Netizens are expressing a range of reactions, with many stating, "We hope for a proper explanation and apology," "It seems the actor is unfairly suffering because of the rumors," and "We support the agency's strong stance against the accuser."