Lee Gyu-lee is a business writer at The Korea Times, focusing primarily on IT & telecommunications, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA. Prior to this, she has covered a wide range of cultural news, from film, television and K-pop to lifestyle and fashion.
Star chef leaves TV show after bullying allegations against fiance
Celebrity chef Lee Won-il and his fiance, TV producer Kim Yoo-jin, decided to withdraw from MBC's reality show after bullying allegations against Kim. Courtesy of MBC
By Lee Gyu-lee
By Lee Gyu-lee
Celebrity chef Lee Won-il and his bride-to-be, TV producer Kim Yoo-jin, decided to leave MBC's couples reality show “Don't Be Jealous,” Thursday, after Kim was accused of bullying her classmates in the past.
The allegations were raised when a social media user on Tuesday posted a detailed description of the violence Kim allegedly committed, claiming she was the victim.
The user claimed she was assaulted by Kim and a group of her friends 12 years ago, when she was 16 in Auckland, New Zealand. She said Kim and her friends took her to a karaoke room and started beating her.
“I finally thought I had got over the trauma, but now I have to see her face whenever I turn the TV or computer on,” the user said. She said Kim never apologized.
More bullying accusations were raised when another user commented on the post, claiming Kim bullied the user in elementary school.
When the allegations made headlines, the couple uploaded a handwritten apology on their social media. Lee wrote: “Regardless of the truth of the matter, I will do my best to settle this issue peacefully.”
Kim expressed that she will contact the user to apologize, saying: “I know it might be too upsetting to meet me in person but I hope you give me a chance to truly say sorry.”
The couple has been on the reality show ― which highlights the lives of celebrity couples ― since last month. The two originally planned to marry this month but postponed the wedding to August due to the coronavirus spread.