Hong Jin-kyung: "I kept trying to draw Jeong Seon-hui out, like a snail that would not leave its shell"

On June 18, model-turned broadcaster Hong Jin-kyung spoke on the YouTube channel "Study King True Genius Hong Jin-kyung" about comedian Jo Se-ho, who had stepped away from terrestrial television after rumors spread that he was excessively close to gangsters. Hong defended Jo, presenting him not as someone acting with calculation, but as a person whose friendliness and inability to refuse others had been misunderstood.

During the conversation, Hong also expressed sympathy toward comedian Jeong Seon-hui. Addressing Jeong directly, she said it had pained her to watch how, after Jeong had gone through a devastating personal hurt, people strangely turned their attacks on the very person who was already suffering.

Hong looked back on that period and said Jeong had not done anything that deserved criticism. She described how Jeong's life had suddenly collapsed, and how, on top of that, she had to endure harsh words that were difficult to understand. Hong said the experience made Jeong withdraw completely, like a snail going into its own shell, until Hong felt that no matter what she tried, she could not pull her back out.

Jeong responded with gratitude, telling Hong that even so, Hong had come by again and again to bring her out. Her words acknowledged that Hong had continued trying to reach her during a time when she had closed herself off from the outside world.

Hong then turned back to Jo Se-ho and explained why she believed the public had misread him. She said Jo was simply someone who liked people and could not easily say no. Hong said that if people she did not know well asked her to have a drink, she would decline, but Jo, because he liked people, would call them "hyungnim," agree when asked to take photos, and naturally become closer to them. In Hong's view, that did not mean he knew what those people might be doing behind the scenes.

Hong added that she had urged Jo to speak for himself, telling him that he should explain his side. According to Hong, Jo refused firmly, saying he would not do it even if it cost him dearly. She said he believed people would simply understand in time, and that watching Jo through the latest controversy made her feel that his way of handling himself was remarkably graceful.

She continued to defend Jo, saying he must have felt wronged as well, but chose to remain quiet. Hong compared his restraint to waiting silently until muddy water settles, saying it is not easy to watch someone stay still through that kind of situation. She said she had learned a great deal from the way Jo endured it.

Jeong agreed with Hong's assessment and said that staying still can be the hardest thing in the world. She described that stillness as the fiercest kind of battle: a fight against the part of oneself that wants to rush out and strike back.