Actress Hwang Jung Eum has directly addressed the recent controversy surrounding her free giveaway.
On February 12, KST, the actress shared a giveaway notice on social media, inviting people to an area near her house to give away toys used by her two sons. While this philanthropic gesture initially won her praises, the reactions soured quickly as reports emerged claiming that she had simply dumped a bunch of old, broken toys for the giveaway.
“She Was Pretty” K-Drama Actress Gets Called Out For Dumping Her “Trash” On Others
As the controversy raged on, her agency refused to offer any comment or explanation. Given that her relationship with the company has deteriorated in recent times, it was not fully unexpected. However, instead of her management, a citizen actually stepped in to combat the rumors.
On February 14, a netizen identified as “A” took to social media and revealed that they had personally visited the giveaway, claiming that the reports about her dumping her “trash” were untrue. They emphasized that the toys didn’t look like waste at all. In fact, Hwang had set up children’s items and books neatly in the spacious yard, ready to be taken home by anyone who wanted them for free. In another corner, adult clothes, bags, and shoes were sold in a flea market-like setting.
“A” added that the kids’ toys were kept in two areas— on the ground and inside a car-shaped bed. “It didn’t look like trash at all,” they emphasized, adding how enraged they were at the false rumors. “A” also praised Hwang, stating that she was extremely kind and even provided shopping bags for people to carry the items.
The actress left a comment directly under the post, thanking “A.” She wrote, “Thank you. Since the article wasn’t true anyway, I wasn’t responding. I saw it after people around me said a post had come up. I’m giving away toys, baby clothes, and books, so please spread the word. Be careful not to catch a cold.”
Thanks to the netizen’s honest account, public opinion around Hwang appears to have softened.
- “Seems like nothing at all, just keyboard warriors doing a witch hunt, tsk tsk. Instead of leaving nasty comments on celebrities, go live your own life.”
- “What’s wrong with people? Complaining about a free giveaway?”
- “She seems down-to-earth and a bit sentimental, not really the cute, delicate type lol. Just her easygoing personality causing a little funny incident, lol.”
- “People who were commenting, ‘Why didn’t you at least spread out a mat?’…What are they going to say now?”
- “You guys who’ve never raised kids don’t get it. This is totally normal for toys! Get married first. Imagine calling things trash when you should be grateful for them. Go clean your own house, geez.”
Meanwhile, Hwang Jung Eum is currently raising her two sons as a single mother after divorcing her ex-husband following a very public exposé of his infidelity. In September last year, she was indicted on charges of embezzlement. Recently, the actress’s agency also seized her house in Itaewon.