MBC's variety show "Hangout With Yoo" released an official statement apologizing to actor Lee Yi Kyung on Saturday following widespread public backlash over a viral noodle slurping segment that damaged his reputation.
The apology came after the actor disclosed on Friday that he had been pressured to perform the controversial scene and faced negative audience reactions when it aired.
During filming in Hong Kong and Japan, Lee initially performed the noodle slurping segment spontaneously as entertainment for viewers, and production staff initially judged the response positively. However, the production team later requested that he perform the same act again, which the actor described as exceeding reasonable creative boundaries, according to Tenasia. When the segment aired, Korean audiences responded negatively, sparking public outrage over what viewers perceived as inappropriate behavior.
Lee revealed that his comment clarifying the act was comedic, "It's just for fun as part of the show," was edited out of the final broadcast, leaving audiences without context for the scene. The production team acknowledged this editing decision in their apology, stating they attempted to convey the comedic intent through alternative phrasing like "once again, for fun" and on-screen captions, but acknowledged these efforts were insufficient.
The production team admitted to failure in protecting their cast member, acknowledging they greeted Lee's request to perform the scene as "overreach" driven by the desire for added entertainment value, allKpop reported. The apology statement read, "We felt that it was only respectful to relay the label's official position regarding the reason for Lee Yi Kyung's departure to the program's cast members, which was why the cast was instructed to announce as much on the show." The staff is committed to reviewing their entire production process to prevent similar distortions of cast members' performances in the future.
Beyond the noodle slurping controversy, Lee departed "Hangout With Yoo" after the production team recommended his exit following rumors about his personal life. Lee's agency announced his departure, citing scheduling conflicts, though the actor later revealed the production team had initiated the separation. MBC expressed the belief that continuing his participation would be difficult given the show's purpose to deliver entertainment during a period when multiple media outlets were publishing allegations about his private life.
The scandal emerged following accusations from a woman claiming to be a German citizen who alleged inappropriate conduct by the actor, as per the Times of India. Lee's agency filed a defamation complaint, and the accuser later reversed her statement multiple times, initially claiming the evidence was AI-generated before denying that claim as well.
