Ahn So Hee faces backlash over Roy Kim friendship video

Ahn So Hee, an actress and former member of Wonder Girls, faced unexpected backlash after revealing her more than 10-year friendship with singer Roy Kim. As controversies previously raised against Roy Kim regarding the Jung Joon Young incident resurfaced years later, some netizens directed criticism toward Ahn as well. However, critics pointed out that defining Roy Kim as a member of the so-called 'Jung Joon Young group chat' contradicts the investigation details known at the time.

On the 25th, Ahn released a video on her YouTube channel titled 'Shopping and cafe outing in Hannam-dong with 10-year friend Roy Kim.' In the video, Ahn introduced their long-standing relationship, stating she has known Roy Kim for "almost 10 years." She explained that their bond is so old that she even remembers Roy Kim looking excited while wearing a cute knit sweater when they first met in the United States.

The two were seen shopping and visiting a cafe, engaging in natural conversation. The video maintained a comfortable atmosphere typical of long-time friends, without any special explanations or scenes conscious of the controversy. However, after the video was released, the reaction from some netizens was unexpected. Comments appeared questioning why she would "cast a friend of Jung Joon Young" or mentioning unsubscribing from her channel.

As the controversy spread, other netizens stepped in to correct the facts. They pointed out that Roy Kim was not a member of the so-called 'Jung Joon Young group chat' where illegal footage was shared. While Roy Kim underwent police investigation for charges of distributing obscene material during the investigation into the Jung Joon Young incident in 2019, the chat room in question was known to be a separate chat room related to fishing hobbies, distinct from the group chat that shared illegal footage.

The photos Roy Kim was known to have posted in that chat room were also intended to show that they were composite images of specific celebrities circulating online. Subsequently, the prosecution issued a suspension of indictment regarding Roy Kim's charges of distributing obscene material. In other words, there is a clear difference between the perception that he participated in the core group chat sharing illegal footage with Jung Joon Young and the actual legal processing of the case at the time.

Ultimately, Ahn's side deleted the expression '10-year friend' from the YouTube video title on the 27th. The title was modified from 'Shopping and cafe outing in Hannam-dong with 10-year friend Roy Kim' to 'Shopping and cafe outing in Hannam-dong with Roy Kim.' While the relationship between the two in the video itself has not changed, this is interpreted as a measure to avoid a situation where a specific expression amplifies unnecessary controversy.

Incidents from years ago are often constantly reproduced in online spaces even after the parties involved resume their activities, creating new contexts. In particular, when the complex details of a case are condensed into a simple network of 'who was close to whom,' there is a high possibility that the facts will become mixed up. Roy Kim also enlisted in the Marine Corps following the controversy, completed his military service, and is continuing his musical activities. This case demonstrates how easily memories of past incidents can solidify into fragmentary images, and what kind of impact those memories can have on the current interpersonal relationships of the individuals involved.