The recent tragic passing of actress Kim Sae Ron has cast a harsh light on YouTuber Lee Jin Ho and his past reporting on her life. Facing significant backlash for his coverage, Lee has now released a statement defending his actions, claiming he was actively assisting Kim in her efforts to return to the entertainment industry.
Expressing Condolences and Refuting Harassment Claims
In a video titled “Clarifying My Position on Kim Sae Ron” uploaded to his YouTube channel, “Entertainment President Lee Jin Ho,” Lee began by expressing his deepest condolences to Kim’s family.
“I cannot begin to imagine the pain her family is going through. This situation has deeply saddened me as well. I sincerely wish for the late Kim Sae Ron to rest in peace,” he stated.
He then addressed the accusations of harassment, vehemently denying them as “baseless.”
“I have enough evidence to counter these accusations,” he asserted, suggesting he was prepared to defend his reporting.
Verification and Agency Collaboration
Lee explained that his videos about Kim Sae Ron were not created in isolation. He emphasized a rigorous verification process, stating,
“I only uploaded content after verifying it with her acquaintances and agency representatives.”
To support his claim, he released an audio recording of a conversation with Kim’s manager, who was from her newly signed agency. This recording revealed that the manager had been assisting Kim even before the contract was officially signed, indicating a level of cooperation and involvement from her team.
Motivations Behind the Coverage: Aiding Her Comeback
Lee claimed his primary motivation was to help Kim Sae Ron rebuild her career. He stated,
“For two years, we shared the sentiment that while Kim Sae Ron had made mistakes, she still needed a means to support herself. She should be given a chance to continue some form of work.”
This sentiment, he argued, drove his coverage of her financial struggles, including her part-time job and volunteer tutoring. He portrayed these activities as evidence of her efforts to rebuild her life and career.
Discussions of an Interview and Agency Involvement
According to Lee, discussions about Kim giving an interview were initiated because of her urgent need for a career comeback.
“Her agency was actively involved in these discussions, and I incorporated their input into my videos,” he claimed.
He acknowledged the potential for public criticism regarding Kim’s new agency, stating,
“I knew that revealing Kim Sae Ron had signed with an agency would provoke public criticism. The media had been scrutinizing every aspect of her life, and I genuinely wanted her to be given another chance. That’s why I deliberately refrained from covering any unfavorable aspects regarding her.”
Agency Representative’s Testimony
Lee concluded his statement by citing an agency representative who allegedly told him,
“The claim that you tormented Kim Sae Ron is completely untrue.” This, he argued, further validated his position and refuted the allegations of harassment.
The controversy surrounding Lee Jin Ho’s coverage of Kim Sae Ron highlights the delicate balance between reporting on public figures and respecting their privacy, especially in times of personal crisis. The debate surrounding his actions is likely to continue as the public grapples with the tragic circumstances.
