“Makes you wonder if this is how they’ve handled departures before…”
In response to actor Lee Yi Kyung‘s fiery Instagram exposé, the Hangout With Yoo production team has since issued a statement explaining the background of his departure from the show and apologizing for any hurt feelings.
The statement first addressed the “noodle scandal,” from which Lee Yi Kyung claimed his reputation had been damaged. The production team admitted their fault in forcing the behavior out of the actor, though they excused themselves, noting that they had already apologized to Lee Yi Kyung.
“Hello, this is the production team of ‘Hangout With Yoo.’
We sincerely apologize to everyone who loves ‘Hangout With Yoo’ for causing concern with this recent incident. Regarding the issues related to ‘Hangout With Yoo’ mentioned in the post Lee Yi Kyung uploaded on Friday, the 21st, we would like to address everything openly.
First, the ‘noodle slurping’ situation that Lee Yi Kyung mentioned was a mistake on the part of the production team for failing to properly protect the cast member. Lee Yi Kyung, who worked hard to bring laughter to viewers, spontaneously slurped his noodles during the Hong Kong and Japan shoots, and at the time, the production team judged that the audience’s response was not negative. Later, in an attempt to create more entertainment, we asked Lee Yi Kyung to do it again, but we went too far. During the editing process, Lee Yi Kyung’s line, ‘This is all in the name of entertainment!’ was cut, and we failed to fully gauge viewers’ sentiments, which ultimately harmed Lee Yi Kyung and caused dissatisfaction for the audience. In place of the cut line, we tried to convey through the caption ‘For fun, again…’ that it was intended as entertainment, but clearly it was insufficient.
After the backlash, we apologized to Lee Yi Kyung. And we aired the part where he’s explaining the noodle slurping that was originally planned to air as part of the opening for the following week’s episode. However, we acknowledge our failure to fully resolve the issue, and we apologize once again to Lee Yi Kyung and to all viewers who were uncomfortable.”
— “Hangout With Yoo” Production Team
The statement then addressed Lee Yi Kyung’s departure from the show. The production team agreed that they were the ones who first suggested that the actor withdraw.
“Next, we would like to address his departure from the show. With rumors about his personal life circulating through the media, we determined that it would be challenging for him to continue on a variety show that requires delivering laughter every week. As Lee Yi Kyung mentioned, the production team first recommended his departure to his agency, and we stated that we would respect their decision even if they chose to disclose this to the press. Afterwards, his agency contacted us, stating that they would opt for a voluntary departure due to scheduling conflicts.
As the production team that first suggested his departure, we felt it was the least courtesy to Lee Yi Kyung to ask the remaining cast members to mention that he was leaving voluntarily due to scheduling, as agreed with his agency. And that’s what was conveyed on air. The cast members only followed our request out of consideration for Lee Yi Kyung. We ask that viewers refrain from directing blame or speculation toward the other cast members.”
— “Hangout With Yoo” Production Team
The production team promised to do better going forward, ending the statement with another apology to Lee Yi Kyung and everyone else affected by the ongoing controversy.
Unfortunately, the statement has only deepened the divide between viewers. Some believed that, since Lee Yi Kyung is the one who ultimately chose to leave (after becoming involved in another scandal), there was no real problem. Others argued that, between creating the noodle scandal and then suggesting his departure, the production team basically bullied Lee Yi Kyung out of the show.
- “If you truly want to make people laugh every week, start by changing the production team instead of blaming innocent cast members.”
- “So there was no lie in what Lee Yi Kyung said. Considering that, I bet Lee Yi Kyung is also telling the truth about his rumor spreader from Germany. Stay strong, Lee Yi Kyung, and those who criticized him should reflect a bit.”
- “So the production team suggested his departure to the agency, and the agency wanted to announce it as a voluntary departure due to scheduling. And that’s what happened. Did the actor himself not get told during this process? I think, if they communicated with the agency, they did their part…”
- “Oh, I remember the gazillion comments on theqoo about Hangout With Yoo not kicking him out and saying it’s because Lee Yi Kyung is a man.”
- “If Lee Yi Kyung hadn’t uploaded his bit on Instagram, they probably would have never explained or apologized. People aren’t even thinking about that, and the production team is getting defended LOL. They’re just cleaning up the situation—they deserve criticism.”
- “Just knowing that Lee Yi Kyung is telling the truth… He must have felt so wronged.”
- “Makes you wonder if this is how they’ve handled departures before. That’s why it’s hard to like Hangout With Yoo.”
- “Huh. I thought he deserved to leave the show. Even if I were on the Hangout With Yoo production team, I’d make him leave.”
- “Isn’t a ‘suggested departure’ basically forcing him out? They call it a suggestion, but it’s really an order.”
- “The person spreading rumors about Lee Yi Kyung switched stories in a day. And Lee Yi Kyung announced that he’ll be filing lawsuits. So was it really a departure-worthy offense? What about the other shows that waited for him, were they just idiots?”
- “I thought he deserved to be kicked off the show.”
- “To those of you saying he deserved to be removed from the show… Then we should cancel the program, as it’s now embroiled in controversy. Right?”
- “Who’s going to say no when the production team requests the departure?”
- “Since Hangout With Yoo has had so many controversies, maybe it should be removed from the broadcast, too. Just cancel it already. It’s boring, with a repetitive format, and multiple cast controversies… Better to end it.”
- “The Hangout With Yoo production team is ridiculous. What about the other shows that trusted and waited for him? Are they just clueless?”
- “Just cancel the program. Ratings are low, anyway. This is such a weird power trip. It must think it’s Infinite Challenge level or something.”
Amid the intense divide, though, one thing is becoming clear: Netizens are now rallying behind actor Lee Yi Kyung and wishing him more success in his other endeavors, including his ongoing legal battles.
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