Mystery post about hush money from actor’s agency sparks online frenzy before vanishing
Actor Lee Jang-woo denies being the person mentioned in a recent online claim. Captured from his social media
A now-deleted online post alleging that an entertainment agency paid 8 million won ($6,150) in hush money to an ex-girlfriend of one of its actors has triggered a wave of speculation and unintended fallout for uninvolved celebrities.
The anonymous claim first appeared on Monday on Blind, an app-based community platform for verified office workers. The poster claimed to have received the payment in exchange for staying silent about an alleged “rebound breakup or cheating” ahead of the actor’s upcoming televised marriage plans with a new partner.
The post quickly went viral across social media and online communities, leading internet users to guess the identities of the parties involved using initials, resulting in several actors being wrongly implicated.
Actor Lee Jang-woo took to social media to respond. “It’s not me. Please stop calling me. I’m working," Lee wrote.
Actor On Joo-wan’s agency swiftly denied an online claim linking him to hush-money controversy. Haewadal Entertainment
On Joo-wan’s agency also told Xportsnews, “The rumor has nothing to do with On Joo-wan. He is not involved in any way.”
Lee is currently engaged to actress Jo Hye-won and On is engaged to Girl's Day member Bang Minah, with weddings scheduled for later this year.
According to the original post, titled “My ex’s agency sent me 8 million won,” the anonymous author alleged, “They said he’d be on a variety show with his new girlfriend soon, showing their wedding preparations. But the timeline might not add up, so they contacted me about sending hush money.”
The poster continued, “I asked them to clarify, and they said it might look like we broke up later than we did — basically admitting to cheating.”
The author described emotional turmoil. “They said I wasn’t planning to marry him anyway, so what’s the big deal? I was actually considering it once. He wasn’t a good guy. Should I return the money?”
The author added, “Whether we break up or not, that’s our business. But learning it was a two-timing situation and then being offered hush money really hurt. I’m angry, sad and in pain. I used a vacation day because I don’t think I can go to work tomorrow.”
Though the veracity of the claims remains unverified, the author later commented that the actor was “not a super famous star, but anyone in their 30s or older would recognize his name.”
As of Wednesday, the original post has been deleted. Visitors to the original link now see a message stating the post was removed by the author. The deleted post has only fueled further debate and speculation about its authenticity and the identities involved.
As names continue to circulate online and the potential for more reputational damage, industry observers are watching to see whether legal action or official clarifications will follow.
This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.