Actor Lee Yi Kyung has publicly addressed the circumstances surrounding his departure from the MBC variety show Hangout With Yoo, shedding light on behind-the-scenes frustrations and contradicting previous statements made by both Yoo Jae Suk and the production team.
On November 21, Lee took to social media to confirm that he had filed a criminal complaint with the Gangnam Police Station for defamation and blackmail following a slew of personal rumors that emerged online the previous month. He expressed his emotional distress, stating, “I was overwhelmed with anger every moment. The person claiming to be a German national repeatedly appeared and vanished.”
Most notably, Lee disclosed that he was advised to leave Hangout With Yoo following the scandal, contrary to public reports that suggested he voluntarily stepped down. “Although the rumor was later declared fabricated and disappeared within a day, I was still asked to step down from the show, and we agreed to label it as a voluntary exit,” he explained.
This statement clashes with Yoo Jae Suk’s on-air comments on November 8, when the veteran host warmly bid farewell to Lee, saying he left due to a busy filming schedule. “He’s been with us for over three years. After coordinating his schedule with the team, he decided to step away following this current round,” Yoo shared at the time.
The show’s production team also issued a similar statement, claiming Lee had decided to leave the show because of overlapping overseas commitments. However, Lee has now refuted those claims, stating it was the production team who initiated the departure talks.
He also revisited the infamous “noodle slurping” controversy from May, when he was criticized for exaggerated comedic eating during a meal with actress Shim Eun Kyung. “I didn’t want to do it, but they told me the restaurant was booked for my scene. They even edited out my line, ‘It’s for the sake of variety,’” he said. Lee claimed the backlash was left for him to handle alone, which significantly damaged his public image.
Additionally, Lee shared his dissatisfaction with how he was replaced as MC on KBS2’s The Return of Superman. “They told me I would appear via pre-recorded VCRs, but I only found out I was replaced (by Kim Jong Min) through the press,” he revealed.
While criticizing the mishandling by some production teams, he expressed gratitude to others, stating, “I’m thankful to the people from I Am Solo, Brave Detectives, Handsome Guys, and others who stood by me.”
Netizen reactions have been mixed. Some sympathized, saying, “He must have been holding it in for a long time,” and “It sounds like he was pushed into those scenes and is finally speaking out.” Others, however, felt he should’ve taken responsibility, given the scandal, while defending Yoo Jae Suk, suggesting the host was just following a script out of respect.
As of now, MBC and the Hangout With Yoo team have not responded to Lee Yi Kyung’s statements. Meanwhile, Lee has vowed to pursue legal action to the end, stating, “The suspect will be identified soon. Even if they’re in Germany, I will file charges locally. There will be no leniency.”
Sources: Daum
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