After years of enduring online attacks and malicious rumours, actress Seo Yea Ji is finally turning the tide. Her agency Sublime revealed on April 3 that legal action had been taken against the person responsible for orchestrating a sustained cyber smear campaign — and in a shocking twist, the individual has close ties to the entertainment industry.

Link to Kim Soo-hyun's agency

According to Koreaboo, Sublime’s statement, confirmed that a formal complaint had been filed earlier this year. “To respond to the malicious slander and false information directed at Seo Yea Ji, we formed a team and filed the first complaint with the Gangnam Police Station in January,” the agency said. It was further revealed that the primary perpetrator is a former employee of Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, co-founded by his cousin Lee Sa Rang.

Seo Yea Ji’s name had already been entangled with Kim Soo-hyun and his agency, Gold Medalist, during several past controversies. Online speculation linked her to the recent scandal surrounding Kim Sae-ron and allegations against Kim Soo-hyun, despite Seo publicly denying any involvement. “Just… please… stop… I swear… I have no personal relations whatsoever with that person or his older brother… I don’t know why I have to explain any of this,” she wrote on her fan café, expressing exhaustion over being repeatedly dragged into controversies she claims to have no connection to.

The agency warned that this is only the beginning. “We will track down everyone until the end so that the law can punish them. We will also take strong legal action for criminal acts taking place online. We will take action without leniency or compromise to protect our actors,” Sublime added. More individuals involved in spreading falsehoods are being identified and will face prosecution.

Years of controversy and silence

Seo Yea Ji, known for roles in hit dramas like ‘It’s Okay to Not Be Okay’ and ‘Save Me,’ saw her career take a sharp downturn in 2021. Allegations surfaced accusing her of controlling behaviour toward then-boyfriend Kim Jung-hyun, school bullying, and faking academic credentials. The backlash peaked with the exposure of a toxic exchange between the two actors, which reportedly disrupted the production of MBC’s ‘Time’ and left a lasting mark on both stars’ careers.

Her previous agency, Gold Medalist, also came under scrutiny after a former employee alleged Seo was scapegoated to divert attention from the company’s internal issues. These claims have gained new weight in light of recent developments implicating an ex-staff member of the agency in the cyber harassment.

Return to television

After laying low for more than two years, Seo Yea Ji is stepping back into the limelight. On March 30, she made her first television appearance in years, joining Huh Young-man on the culinary travel programme ‘Huh Young Man’s Food Travel.’ Her return was met with both curiosity and support from fans. Just days later, it was confirmed she would host episode two of ‘SNL Korea’ season 7. 

Though her comeback comes with lingering scepticism, a growing number of fans have begun rallying behind her. Others have demanded further investigations into Gold Medalist’s past actions.