Just one day after his acceptance speech at the 2025 Asia Artist Awards stirred controversy, Lee Yi Kyung has officially denied accusations that he intentionally snubbed Yoo Jae Suk . On December 7, a representative from Lee’s agency, Sangyoung ENT , stated, “There was no reason or intention to attack Yoo Jae Suk. We hope the public takes the speech at face value.”
The remarks come after Lee Yi Kyung’s speech at the Kaohsiung National Stadium on December 6, where he accepted the AAA Best Choice Award . During his moment on stage, the actor said, “Lately, it felt like being hit with hail that wasn’t in the forecast,” referencing the sudden and intense backlash he has faced. He also shared that the individual behind the recent rumors had been sending apology and leniency requests to his agency, stating firmly, “We’ll catch them no matter what.”
He then added, “Are you watching, SNL? I rest on Thursdays now,” before giving a shoutout to fellow entertainers Haha and Joo Woo Jae. Fans quickly picked up on the fact that Yoo Jae Suk , the anchor of Hangout with Yoo , was conspicuously left out—despite the Thursday reference directly aligning with the show’s recording schedule. The omission sparked speculation that Lee had publicly taken aim at Yoo , particularly in light of his recent removal from the show.
However, Lee Yi Kyung’s team insists that this interpretation is a misunderstanding , asking viewers not to overanalyze the comment.
The controversy began when, in November, a German woman (Ms. A) accused Lee Yi Kyung of inappropriate conduct by releasing screenshots of sexually explicit conversations allegedly between them. The content included requests for revealing photos and intimate questions, which quickly drew public ire. Lee’s agency refuted the claims, filing a defamation lawsuit against the woman, who later retracted her accusations—though not before the damage had been done.
As fallout from the scandal escalated, Lee Yi Kyung exited MBC’s “Hangout with Yoo.” He later claimed that the production team forced him out and even accused them of coercing him into a humiliating on-air punishment , which further harmed his image.
While Lee Yi Kyung continues to navigate the ongoing backlash, his agency has made it clear: his recent award speech was not intended as a slight toward Yoo Jae Suk. Whether the public accepts that explanation remains to be seen.
Sources: 스포츠조선,OSEN