Go Min-si's agency denies school bullying allegations

Actor Go Min-si / Courtesy of Netflix

Actor Go Min-si’s agency has denied allegations that she was involved in school bullying, calling the claims "groundless."

Her agency Mystic Story issued a statement on Monday, saying that the allegations were “clearly false and groundless,” adding, “We have appointed legal counsel today and have begun reviewing and pursuing both civil and criminal legal action.”

Earlier that day, an anonymous post titled “We are the victims of actor A’s school violence” was uploaded to an online community.

The author of the post, claiming to be a middle school classmate of the actor, claimed that the actor in question had extorted money, verbally abused classmates and bullied students with disabilities during their school years.

Although the author did not explicitly name the actor, the post included Go Min-si’s former name and age, leading netizens to identify her as the subject.

“I don’t want any apology or compensation,” the author wrote, adding, “What I want is for this actor to end her public activities permanently so no further victims are created.”

The writer continued, “There’s no need for a belated, performative apology to avoid contract disputes. If the actor truly feels remorse, she should step away from the spotlight and live the rest of her life sincerely regretting her past actions.”

The agency expressed serious concern and disappointment over what it described as the defamation of its artist due to malicious posts founded on false claims.

“We ask that people refrain from spreading unverified rumors and speculative reports, as they can cause significant harm not only to the actor but also to her family,” it said.

Go Min-si was previously embroiled in controversy in March 2021 when photos surfaced of her drinking and entering an adult entertainment venue as a minor. At the time, she acknowledged the issue, calling it “a mistake from her youth.”

Go made her debut in 2017 with the SBS drama “My Sassy Girl.” She has since built a steady acting career through roles in the “Sweet Home” series, “The Frog” and films such as “The Witch” and “Smugglers.” She is currently appearing in the Genie TV drama “Tastefully Yours.”

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.