Son Ye Jin’s long-awaited return to film after becoming a mother was expected to be a triumphant moment. Instead, a joke at a press conference has unexpectedly spiraled into a full-scale controversy, with online backlash, past clips resurfacing, and public opinion turning sharply divided.
A Joke Gone Wrong
At the August 19 press conference for her new film No Other Choice, Son Ye Jin became emotional while reflecting on her role as a mother. “Since becoming a mother, it’s easier to portray warm, affectionate characters,” she said. The atmosphere was warm—until co-star Lee Byung Hun chimed in with a joke: “The child actress playing her daughter always asked a lot of questions, but Son Ye Jin never answered—she’d just push her to me. Now she says acting like a mom feels natural, but I see it differently.”
The room laughed. The comment was clearly intended as a humorous anecdote. However, once the clip circulated online, some netizens interpreted it differently—accusing Son Ye Jin of being cold and even labeling her behavior as “child star abuse.”
Public Backlash and Clarification
The backlash was swift, with critics questioning her attitude and parenting instincts. Some turned their ire toward Lee Byung Hun, criticizing him for what they saw as an “insensitive” attempt at humor. Others insisted his story revealed Son Ye Jin’s “true character.”
Amid the storm, the mother of child actress Choi So Yul —who plays Son Ye Jin’s daughter in the film—came forward to defend her. She clarified that Son Ye Jin had been warm and generous on set, even gifting her daughter an expensive present and maintaining friendly communication with the family. Despite this, the online debate continues to rage.
The Past Revisited
As tensions grew, the internet dug deeper. A 2014 prank clip from Infinite Challenge reemerged, in which Son Ye Jin faked a breakdown during dance practice, fooling her co-stars. While the act was later revealed as part of a hidden-camera gag, some cast members had joked they initially thought she was simply being “difficult.” The clip is now being cited by critics as proof of her allegedly “unpleasant personality.”
Adding fuel to the fire, a 2003 quote from actress Go Ara during the press conference for the film Sharp, then just 14 years old, has resurfaced: “The directors say Son Ye Jin is fake. I think so too.” Another shocking moment being revisited was a comment made by Go Ara back in 2003.
The remark sparked an uproar at the time, prompting SM Entertainment to explain that Go Ara was too young to grasp the negative meaning of “fake” and had mistaken it as a compliment on acting. Later, Go Ara herself apologized and emphasized she admired Son Ye Jin. Though later explained as a misunderstanding and followed by an apology, the comment still resurfaces whenever Son Ye Jin is under scrutiny.
A Star Under the Microscope
Once dubbed the “nation’s first love,” Son Ye Jin now finds herself caught in a web of criticism stemming from a single joke. What was meant to be a lighthearted moment has triggered a wave of past controversies and renewed speculation about her personality.
The incident highlights the intense scrutiny faced by female celebrities in Korea—where one remark, one old clip, or even a misunderstood joke can ignite a scandal overnight.
Sources: K14
You must be logged in to post a comment.