Kim Jung Hyun breaks silence on his infamous gaslighting controversy with Seo Ye Ji
Actor Kim Jung Hyun opened up about his past controversy on the June 13, 2025, episode of KBS2’s variety show hosted by Shin Dong Yup.
Kim reflected on the backlash from his dating period with actress Seo Ye Ji, when allegations of gaslighting surfaced and critics slammed his cold behavior during the drama Time press conference.
He addressed his comeback after years of public scrutiny, saying he realized the hardship wasn’t as severe as he once thought.
“To be honest, I don’t think I’ve had anything that was truly hard. Looking back, I don’t think there were any truly difficult events. At the time, I probably felt wronged, deeply ashamed, and like something was going on. After going through that and letting time pass, I realized that nothing was actually that difficult. In the end, it just came down to me deciding if I want to continue to live or die. If I keep holding on to painful things, I’ll just keep suffering. It’s not about denying the pain, but by living as if nothing bad ever happened, I’ve been able to meet better people and become healthier.” — Kim Jung Hyun
The controversy erupted in 2021 when Kim was accused of being controlled by Seo Ye Ji. Fans nicknamed him “Kim Ddak-ddak” (stiff/rigid) due to his blank expression and unengaged demeanor at the press conference.
The scandal worsened after he refused to link arms with co-star Seohyun during a photo session, fueling criticism over his attitude and professionalism.
For more on the Seo Ye Ji gaslighting scandal, see: Seo Ye Ji Accused Of Gaslighting Kim Jung Hyun As Her Past Skinship Scenes Resurface.
