Actress Park Hye-soo, who stepped out of the spotlight following school bullying allegations, has once again drawn public attention after sharing unexpected new photos, reigniting debate over her ongoing controversy.
Park Hye-soo debuted as an actress at the age of 21 through SBS’s Yong-pal in 2015. Prior to her acting career, she first gained public recognition in 2014 through K-pop Star Season 4, where she narrowly missed the Top 10, ranking 11th after competing against eventual winner Katie Kim. Despite her early exit, Park Hye-soo impressed viewers with her vocal ability and musical talent, showcasing skills in piano, flute, and guitar.
She initially appeared to pursue a path as a musician, contributing to the OST of KBS2’s Who Are You: School 2015, but later transitioned fully into acting. Park steadily built her filmography with projects such as Hello, My Twenties! (2016), Introverted Boss and Saimdang: Memoir of Colors (2017), Swing Kids (2018), and Samjin Company English Class (2020).
However, in February 2021—just before the scheduled release of KBS’s Dear.M—Park Hye-soo became embroiled in school bullying allegations that abruptly halted her career. The drama’s broadcast was indefinitely postponed, and she suspended all activities.
The controversy began when a netizen posted on an online community claiming to have been bullied by Park Hye-soo during school years. While her agency strongly denied the accusations and announced legal action, the issue escalated as multiple individuals came forward with similar claims. Accusers alleged that Park Hye-soo had been part of a delinquent group and engaged in physical and financial abuse.
Park Hye-soo firmly refuted the allegations, stating that the claims were “the complete opposite of the truth.” She countered that she herself had been a victim of bullying and that the individuals accusing her were distorting the facts.
As legal proceedings continued, both civil and criminal cases have remained unresolved. In October 2023, police announced that rumors labeling Park Hye-soo as a school bullying perpetrator constituted false information and stated that those who spread the rumors should be punished, forwarding their findings to prosecutors.
After remaining out of the public eye since 2021, Park Hye-soo began her return through the independent film The Dream Songs, following the police announcement. At the time, she stated, “Although the investigation is taking a long time, I am not avoiding it and am doing my best. I have actively cooperated by submitting my old phone and remaining photos.”
Meanwhile, Dear.M, which had been shelved for nearly four years, was finally broadcast in 2025—first on KBS Joy in April and later on KBS2 in July—bringing closure to one chapter of the prolonged controversy.
Despite these developments, the case remains unresolved as of 2025. Amid this, Park Hye-soo shared three photos on her personal SNS on December 3. The images showed her wearing a black padded jacket while filming, taking playful selfies, and smiling brightly with her hand covering her mouth—presenting a noticeably lighter and more relaxed mood.
Fans responded warmly, leaving comments such as “We missed you,” “You look beautiful—stay happy,” and “Her smiling eyes melt hearts.” However, some netizens expressed discomfort, arguing that until the case is fully concluded, such cheerful updates may feel inappropriate to some.
Separately, Park Hye-soo was also reported to have opened a café in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, with support from actor Lee Jong-soo, whom she worked with on Samjin Company English Class. Lee shared photos of his visit on SNS, writing, “Hye-soo runs a café. She designed the space herself and even makes the coffee and bread. Wishing her success.” Fellow actors Lee Joo-young, Oh Jung-se, and Roh Jeong-eui also showed support through congratulatory flower wreaths.
Now entering its fifth year, Park Hye-soo’s school bullying controversy is expected to extend into 2026 as legal disputes continue. With supporters and critics remaining sharply divided, attention remains focused on how the case will ultimately be resolved—and what it will mean for her future in the entertainment industry.
Sources: Daum
You must be logged in to post a comment.