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Sex-chat scandal actor returns
Lee Byung-hun from "Terminator: Genisys," left, and "Memories of the Sword” / Courtesy of Naver
By Ko Dong-hwan
With his latest two movies opening in July and August, actor Lee Byung-hun will have to face Korean fans who were disappointed by his involvement in last year’s sex-chat scandal.
The movies are Hollywood sci-fi action blockbuster “Terminator: Genisys” and Korean historical action film “Memories of the Sword.” But Lee is not participating in the promotional tour for the former, because he is working on his next Hollywood film, “The Magnificent Seven.”
Reports on Monday said Lee plans to adjust his U.S. schedule so he can visit Korea to promote “Memories of the Sword,” which he shot from September 2013 to February last year. The movie’s opening was originally scheduled for last winter but had to be delayed because of the scandal.
Lee, who married actress Lee Min-jung in 2013, reported a blackmail attempt to police in August last year, saying model Lee Ji-yeon and girl group GLAM member Kim Da-hee had asked him for 5 billion won or they would release video of him involved in a sexually explicit conversation. Lee denied he had any sexual relations with them, although text messages released in court showed there was explicit talk between them.