Son Ye Jin Faces Backlash After Lee Byung Hun’s Remark, But the Truth Tells a Different Story
A playful remark from Lee Byung Hun during a press conference sparked a wave of criticism against Son Ye Jin. But the truth, revealed later, paints a very different picture.
A Shocking Accusation at the August 19 Press Conference
On August 19, actress Son Ye Jin, often hailed as the “national treasure” of Korean cinema, found herself at the center of a controversy during a press conference for her new film No Order. What began as an emotional sharing about how motherhood influenced her acting quickly turned into a storm of criticism after an unexpected remark from her co-star, Lee Byung Hun.
Lee Byung Hun’s Story Sparks Outrage
While Son Ye Jin spoke about her role, Lee Byung Hun added a seemingly lighthearted anecdote. He recalled that Choi So Jun, the child actress playing his daughter in the movie, had asked him many questions on set — but, according to him, Son Ye Jin never responded to the little girl.
He even quoted a moment when he asked Son Ye Jin if she could reply, to which she allegedly answered, “You can answer for me.”
Though delivered in a joking manner, Lee’s words shocked the audience and quickly spread online. Social media erupted, accusing Son Ye Jin of being cold, arrogant, and unfriendly toward her young co-star.
Public Backlash Intensifies
Within hours, the story spiraled out of control. Negative comments flooded online platforms, criticizing the actress for showing a “two-faced personality” that clashed with her long-cultivated image of kindness and humility.
Some compared her unfavorably to other stars who often make time to bond with child actors. The criticism painted her as detached and unkind behind the scenes, putting her in a very difficult public position.
The Unexpected Voice That Changed Everything
Just as the controversy peaked, a surprising voice emerged — the mother of child actress Choi So Jun. Speaking out, she revealed that the story had been badly distorted.
“We were shocked,” she said. “It was nothing more than a playful story Lee Byung Hun shared for laughs.”
The mother defended Son Ye Jin passionately, describing her as warm, thoughtful, and caring. She even provided proof: Son Ye Jin once prepared a limited-edition toy as a special gift for So Jun, showing genuine affection. She also mentioned having Son Ye Jin’s personal number and frequently exchanging supportive messages, highlighting a close and positive relationship far from the rumors.
A Lesson in the Power of Social Media
The clarification silenced much of the backlash, but the damage had already been done. For Son Ye Jin, the incident was a painful reminder of how quickly reputations can be tarnished by misunderstandings and online exaggeration.
This episode serves as a cautionary tale: a single misinterpreted remark can spiral into a full-blown scandal, amplified by the speed of social media. As the truth eventually came to light, it highlighted the importance of withholding judgment until all sides of the story are known.
