On March 5, Lee Tae Im issued an apology to Yewon (Kim Yewon), prior to the release of a detailed report featuring eyewitness accounts of the alleged altercation between the two actresses. Yewon, who was an idol in the girl group Jewelry, was allegedly the victim of a verbal altercation which was led by actress Lee Tae Im.
According to Korea Joongang Daily, representatives for Lee issued an apology to Yewon, where the actress reflected upon her behavior. The representative for Onion Management group stated, “Lee is reflecting on what she’d done and is having a hard time because of that.”
Yewon accepted the apology through a statement provided by her agency, Star Empire Entertainment. In her statement published by Newsen and Hancinema on March 5, Yewon said, “I think Lee Tae Im who I'm not relatively close to, might have misunderstood me.”
She went on to acknowledge the feelings of the other actress and said, “I am grateful that she was brave enough to apologize to me first in this difficult situation.”
In the complete statement, Yewon reflected on the difficult times faced by Lee.
Lee is a 29-year-old actress who debuted in 2008 but has struggled to find a successful drama. Her most recent series was interrupted due to low ratings, bearing similarity to her 2014 drama “Wild Chives and Soybean Soup,” which was also abruptly canceled. The actress has struggled to receive recognition for her performances but is well-regarded for her appearance.
The alleged incident took place on February 24 during the taping of “My Tutor Friend.” “My Tutor Friend” traveled to Jeju Island to film the actresses while diving and fishing. The female stars were given the daunting task of diving in the cold waters off of Jeju Island during the taping of the show, which is also called “Tutoring Across Generations.”
Eyewitness accounts reported through various media outlets provided conflicting statements about the incident. In an article published on TV Daily, Lee offended a female diver who was responsible for catching fresh seafood for the actresses, who were supposed to eat the meal during the taping of the show. As reported by Hancinema, an unnamed source told TV Daily, “It's true we have to keep 'reality' alive but Lee Tae Im was just provocative. She didn't have to say it like that.”
The situation then apparently escalated. Lee allegedly began to curse at Yewon, before storming off of the set.
Lee previously denied yelling at Yewon and blamed the younger star for not using honorifics or formal language with her. However, a report that was published by Dispatch on March 5 may have precipitated an apology from Lee. The story which was originally published on Dispatch was fully translated by Koreaboo.
Dispatch interviewed two female divers who were present during the filming session on Jeju Island.
The divers differed in age. 70-year-old Jang Gwangja painted a more pleasant picture of the alleged altercation while 30-year-old diver Luenkini, had a different take on the situation.
Jang Gwangja spoke fondly of Lee throughout most of the interview. She said that Lee viewed her as a matronly figure.
According to the report on Koreaboo, Lee referred to Jang as mom then stated, “I’ve been a celebrity for 10 years, but I’ve never once succeeded. This drama I’m in right now doesn’t look like it’s going to succeed either.”
But a relatively innocuous conversation that she witnessed between Lee and Yewon may have been the catalyst for their discord. Jang witnessed the introduction between Yewon and Lee.
According to Jang, Yewon stated, “I was in Jewelry. Do you know any of our songs? I sang this!”
Lee allegedly responded, “Oh really? I was in movies and dramas. I’m in 'My Heart Twinkle Twinkle' these days.”
The conversation appeared to be going well until Yewon asked Lee if she was cold, while she was submersed in the chilly water.
According to Leunkini, Lee looked angry before she said, “Are you f***ing crazy? I'll **** you.”
Lee allegedly said, “F***, do you want your career to end? Have you lost all sense?”
She then proceeded to deliver a stream of expletives, to the dismay of Yewon and Leunkini.
Lee has subsequently left from “My Tutor Friend,” after the recent controversy. Meanwhile, Yewon will appear with Super Junior-M's Henry Lau on “We Got Married.”
