Cha Ye Ryun | Photo: Sports Chosun
Cha Ye Ryun has reportedly returned to Korea after a schedule in the United States, as school bullying claims involving her continue to circulate online. Her agency has denied the claims.
The controversy began on October 29, when an anonymous post appeared in an online community accusing an actress born in 1985 of bullying the writer during their school years. The post did not name the actress, but some online users linked the details, including her birth year and the school mentioned, to Cha Ye Ryun.
Her agency, HB Entertainment, quickly responded that "after checking, the claims are groundless." The agency has stood by that position and said it is reviewing the related claims and materials.
Online accounts have remained divided. Some people claiming to be former classmates alleged inappropriate behavior during her school days, while others said she was never a student who hit or repeatedly harassed anyone. None of the claims have been independently verified.
On November 1, the production team of Cha Ye Ryun's YouTube channel said they had learned of the situation while on the US schedule with her, and apologized for the delayed response. They explained that the channel's comments are managed by the production team without the cast's involvement, and that some videos and comment sections would be disabled while the matter is reviewed, to prevent the spread of rumors and personal attacks on her family.
On November 3, a former entertainment reporter's YouTube channel also introduced a separate, unverified post from someone claiming to have worked as a golf caddie for the actress around 2012 or 2013.
The criticism has also spread to the social media of her husband, actor Joo Sang Wook, where some commenters have demanded explanations. The couple married in 2017 and have one daughter.
With the actress now back in Korea, attention is on whether she will address the claims herself.
Source: (1)
