Actor Kim Hye-eun apologizes for remarks on elitism amid election controversy
Actor Kim Hye-eun / Captured from her Instagram
Kim pens handwritten apology after criticizing Ryu Si-min over elitist remarks
Actor Kim Hye-eun has issued a handwritten apology after facing public backlash over comments perceived as a critique of academic elitism and classism in the final days of Korea’s presidential election.
Kim posted a photo of a handwritten letter Wednesday on her social media, saying she waited until after the vote count had concluded out of respect for the electoral process.
“I’m sharing this now in hopes that it doesn’t interfere with the time of watching the people’s choice unfold,” she wrote.
“I sincerely apologize to anyone who felt discomfort or disappointment from the post I made on May 31,” she continued. “To those who have supported me over the years, and to those who may have been disheartened or unsettled by my words — I fully accept the responsibility and am deeply reflecting on my actions.”
The now-deleted post included a photo of Kim with her aunt and the caption, “I don’t think I’ve ever been more ashamed of having a Seoul National University degree than I have over the past two days. I feel compelled to apologize on behalf of others.”
In the same post, she wrote, “I’m not some arrogant intellectual steeped in class consciousness who looks down on high school graduates just because I went to Seoul National University. Today was a painful one as a woman living in this era, hearing such cruel and petty words.”
The remarks were widely interpreted as a rebuttal to controversial comments made by Ryu Si-min, a former lawmaker and prominent liberal commentator who studied economics at Seoul National University.
Ryu had appeared on the May 28 episode of a progressive political YouTube show, where he made disparaging remarks about Seol Nan-young, the wife of conservative presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party.
Ryu said, “The role of a presidential candidate’s spouse from a major party is a position that Seol could never have reached in her lifetime. That’s why she’s floating in the air right now — in short, she’s out of her mind.”
In response, the actress defended Seol, writing that she had spent her life supporting her husband’s dream while also working as a labor activist. “I respect women like Seol Nan-young — women like our mothers,” she wrote.
Although Kim’s comments were intended to call out perceived elitism and to express solidarity with working-class women, they quickly drew criticism online for being politically charged during the sensitive preelection period. The actress later deleted the post.
“As someone who has spoken publicly for a long time, I’ve once again learned the weight of words,” she said in her apology. “I will not forget this realization and will strive to become a more thoughtful and grounded actor.”
She added that she would be more mindful of how her words and opinions might affect society going forward, pledging to act with greater caution and responsibility as a public figure.
Kim graduated from the vocal music department at Seoul National University and began her career as a weathercaster at MBC before transitioning into acting. She stars in the upcoming film "City of Evil," set to premiere on June 20.
This article is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.