Lee Yi-kyung Accuses 'How Do You Play?' PDs of Unfair Treatment and Ruining Image

Actor Lee Yi-kyung has expressed his frustration and sense of betrayal towards the production team of the MBC entertainment show 'How Do You Play?' (henceforth referred to as 'How Do You Play?'), with whom he worked for three years, following recent privacy rumors.

Lee Yi-kyung released a lengthy statement on the 21st, vehemently denying the malicious personal rumors circulating online as "groundless" and vowing legal action. However, the statement took a sharp turn, accusing the show's production team of influencing his departure from the program and playing a role in a past controversy that unfairly labeled him as unlikeable.

He claimed that his supposed voluntary departure from 'How Do You Play?' was actually preceded by a "suggestion to leave" from the production staff. More shockingly, Lee Yi-kyung addressed the "mukbang controversy" (literally 'eating show controversy') that significantly damaged his image. During a broadcast in May, his exaggerated noodle-eating performance with actress Shim Eun-kyung drew criticism for being unhygienic.

Lee Yi-kyung revealed, "I clearly said I didn't want to do it, but they asked me to because they had rented the noodle restaurant because of me, and the line 'This is for entertainment' was edited out." He further stated that after the controversy erupted, he only received a bewildered response from the production team saying they "must have been in a hurry." Lee Yi-kyung strongly criticized their handling of the situation, stating, "The controversy had to be solely borne by me, and my image suffered significant damage."

Amidst these revelations, some netizens brought up main MC Yoo Jae-suk, questioning, "Did the program's leader Yoo Jae-suk just stand by?" and "What was he doing while a junior was being labeled as unlikeable?" placing responsibility on him.

However, the prevailing sentiment on major online communities and portals currently points to the production team, who orchestrated the show's direction, as bearing the primary responsibility, deeming the criticism directed at Yoo Jae-suk as unfair. Comments such as "Editing and directing rights lie entirely with the PD and production team," and "The blame is being placed on the main MC after the cast followed instructions and got criticized, this is a witch hunt," and "Lee Yi-kyung must have been so wronged to reveal everything," and "The production team used the actor's image like a disposable commodity for ratings," and "Yoo Jae-suk cannot stop all of the production team's directing. The target is wrong" are flooding in.

Lee Yi-kyung's candid remarks make it difficult for the 'How Do You Play?' production team to escape moral scrutiny. The accusation of forcing a disliked behavior onto a specific cast member while promoting 'real variety' can undermine the program's very authenticity. Currently, 'How Do You Play?' has not issued any official statement regarding Lee Yi-kyung's position. Attention is focused on what explanation the production team will offer amidst the actor's sincere appeal and the heated debate surrounding Yoo Jae-suk.

Netizens are pointing fingers at the production team, saying, "Lee Yi-kyung must have been really wronged," "They're ruining someone with editing," and "What did Yoo Jae-suk do wrong to be criticized along with the production team?"