Ock Joo-hyun breaks silence on 'Ok-jang-pan' controversy

Musical actress Ock Joo-hyun, a former member of the group Fin.K.L, has directly addressed the so-called 'Ok-jang-pan controversy' after four years, opening up about the psychological burden and wounds she has endured as an actress. She revealed that the controversy was not merely an online happening but an issue that affected her overall image and professional activities, and she once again explained her position regarding the situation at that time.

In the early hours of the 8th, Ock posted a long message on her social media (SNS), beginning with, "It took a long time to write this post." She stated, "Some may think this is already a thing of the past, and some may wonder why I am bringing it up again now," but added, "For a long time, I thought the best course of action was to remain silent while pretending to be okay."

She continued, "Although I have conveyed my position through various interviews and reports, I felt that I hadn't sufficiently communicated why I made those choices or what I had to endure during that time."

Regarding the controversy, Ock also mentioned the explanation provided by Kim Ho-young. She stated, "I heard the explanation that he never once targeted me, and that the post was intended to promote a friend's father's flooring business," adding, "After hearing that, I decided not to mention this issue any further."

However, she noted, "Even as time passes, the frame created at that time did not disappear," and said, "I chose silence because I did not want to cause harm to the production, the production company, or my colleagues working with them."

She also explained the background of why she is bringing up the controversy again. "Currently, I am not affiliated with any specific production or company," she said, stating, "I judged that this is a time when I can speak my story purely as the actress Ock Joo-hyun."

She went on to lament, "For a long time, I have done my best within the musical genre to be evaluated through my stage presence and performances," but added, "Since the expression 'Ok-jang-pan' was attached to my name, I had to endure suspicions, ridicule, and criticism for a long time."

She emphasized that the expression was not consumed as a simple joke. Ock revealed, "Those words had a real impact on my image, advertisements, and production activities," and "Even when choosing or stepping away from a production, I had to worry about whether that frame would become a burden to others."

Furthermore, she shared, "There were times when I decided to withdraw from a production because I ultimately did not want to cause harm to the work," and "In that process, I felt a sense of sorrow about being part of the musical community, and I even opened up my heart to my fans."

Rather than direct criticism toward Kim Ho-young, Ock raised questions about the consequences left by the controversy. She stated, "What I desire is not an emotional fight," and "I simply want to ask: if those words truly were not directed at me, why did so many people think of me, and why was the damage and hurt caused in that process not explained to the public?"

She added, "I too had moments where I was not emotionally prudent, and I am reflecting on that part," but pleaded, "I hope my name is no longer consumed as the ridicule of 'Ok-jang-pan'."

The 'Ok-jang-pan controversy' began in June 2022 alongside suspicions of nepotism in the casting process for the musical *Elisabeth*. At the time, Kim Ho-young posted on SNS, "The term 'Asaripan' is a thing of the past. Now it is 'Ok-jang-pan' [a pun referring to floor mats/the actress's name]," and the controversy spread as some netizens interpreted the expression as targeting Ock Joo-hyun.

Subsequently, Ock and the musical *Elisabeth* production company, EMK Musical Company, denied the casting suspicions, and Ock sued Kim Ho-young for defamation. Kim's side explained that the post was not targeting Ock but was for the purpose of promoting an acquaintance's business, and both sides later concluded legal proceedings and settled the conflict.

Ock's recent confession is interpreted not as a new dispute surrounding the past controversy, but as an actress directly explaining the psychological burden she has experienced for a long time under the image and prejudice imposed upon her. She concluded by saying, "I want to be evaluated as an actress on stage in the future," and "I am finally conveying with my own voice the stories I could not tell until now."