Korean musical actor Kim Jun-young has been at the center of controversy after online claims surfaced that he had patronized an adult entertainment establishment.
Accusations began to circulate after screenshots, allegedly from the actor's rumored girlfriend's Instagram account, were shared across multiple Korean online communities.
According to DC Gall, the girlfriend posted images showing what appeared to be handwritten receipts for large amounts of money. The photos also depicted glasses and lighters, among other things, leading many to speculate that the receipts were associated with some type of adult establishment.
The receipts reportedly included the women's names alongside the amounts spent, further fueling the online debate.
"Dahye x1 ₩1.60 million KRW (about $1,120 USD). [redacted] Min x2 ₩3.20 million KRW (about $2,240 USD). Yejin x2 ₩3.20 million KRW (about $2,240 USD)."
Following the spread of the photos online, several netizens speculated on the identity of the actor at the center, though such has not been confirmed. Later, his agency, HJ Culture, spoke out regarding the issue.
The agency, in a statement released through Koreaboo, denied all the claims, referring to posts circulating online as "false information."
"Hello, this is HJ Culture. We would like to clarify our stance regarding the false information that has recently been spreading about our artist. First and foremost, we clearly state that the actor in question has not engaged in any illegal activity related to the allegations being circulated online."
It explained that it took time to verify facts prior to the public response.
"We sincerely apologize to the fans for the delay in releasing this statement, as we took the past weekend to thoroughly and carefully verify the facts from multiple angles," the statement continued.
HJ Culture, in an interview with Xports News, warned that it would take firm legal measures against the spread of defamatory or unverified content.
"We will respond firmly, including taking legal action if necessary, against the dissemination of malicious false information or any actions that constitute defamation. We will continue to do our best for [Kim] to present better performances to his audiences."
The actor has not commented on the issue personally to this date. Reactions online have continued to be mixed, with some cautioning people against fake rumors and others still doubting the authenticity of the receipts.
