Past comment by Cha Ye-ryun resurfaces amid school violence allegations

Actress Cha Ye-ryun's agency, HB Entertainment, has issued a full denial against school violence allegations first posted online on the 29th of last month. While the whistleblower claimed to have suffered physical assault, conflicting testimonies from individuals claiming to be middle school classmates have emerged regarding her involvement in an "iljin" group.

The school violence allegations surrounding actress Cha Ye-ryun are failing to subside. While her agency has issued a full denial, calling the claims groundless, conflicting testimonies from netizens claiming to be her middle school classmates have emerged. Amidst this, a past comment made by the actress—where she remarked, "I think I've been hit the most in my life," while discussing a scene where she was slapped during a drama shoot—is drawing renewed attention.

Recently, comments from individuals claiming to have spent their school years with Cha Ye-ryun have appeared on online communities. While they recall the same period, they have provided different experiences and evaluations, adding new variables to the controversy.

One individual, referred to as B, who claimed to be a classmate, stated they did not personally witness any serious physical assaults, but asserted that Cha Ye-ryun was part of a so-called "iljin" (bully) group at the time. B wrote, "It is true she was one of five members of an iljin group that smoked cigarettes and intimidated classmates by taking gym clothes or textbooks as if they were their own." However, B drew a line by suggesting they did not personally confirm any physical violence or bullying.

While questioning why such revelations had not surfaced until now, B expressed a wish that if actual damage occurred, the victims could receive apologies and find some healing for their wounds.

In contrast, another individual claiming to be a classmate, referred to as C, offered a completely different memory. C claimed that while Cha Ye-ryun was pretty at the time and bad rumors did circulate around her, they did not remember her as someone who hit or bullied other students. As testimonies from those claiming to have experienced the same school life clash, online public opinion has not easily leaned toward one side.

The controversy began with an exposé posted on an online community on the 29th of last month. The author, A, wrote a post titled "Please stop acting, female actress born in '85, perpetrator of school violence," claiming to have suffered continuous bullying and physical assault from a female actress born in 1985 who attended the same middle school in Seoul. The post alleged that the bullying was repeated in locations such as the back of the classroom, bathrooms, playgrounds, and hallways or nearby buildings, and included claims that gym clothes were taken and not returned, and that a slap to the cheek caused damage severe enough to tear an eardrum.

The author appealed that it is painful to see the actress appearing on broadcasts or YouTube smiling, or being portrayed as a good wife, mother, and a talented cook. Although no real name was directly mentioned, Cha Ye-ryun was identified online based on clues such as her age and the school she attended. In response, her agency, HB Entertainment, conducted a fact-check and issued a full denial, stating the allegations are groundless.

In this situation, Cha Ye-ryun's past behind-the-scenes stories from a drama shoot, revealed on a broadcast, are also gaining attention again. In January 2023, she appeared on KBS 2TV's "Stars' Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant" to organize the 100th episode script for the drama "Gold Mask," reflecting on the approximately eight-month shoot. At the time, she drew laughter by mentioning a scene where she was slapped and saying, "I think I've been hit the most in my life."

During that appearance, Cha Ye-ryun admitted she had many shortcomings regarding her acting and expressed gratitude to senior actresses she worked with, such as Sunwoo Eun-sook and Na Young-hee. She noted that thanks to the help of her seniors, she was able to complete the long filming process safely. While the remark was made while explaining a scene from the work, it has been summoned again in a completely different context following the recent school violence allegations.

The information released so far is divided between the initial whistleblower's claims, the conflicting testimonies of classmates, and the agency's denial. As the situation cannot be confirmed as fact based solely on online comments, further fact-checking is required. With Cha Ye-ryun's side denying the allegations entirely, attention is focused on which direction the controversy will take.

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