[Official Position] Model-Turned-Actress Kang Seung-hyun Faces School Violence Allegations... Agency "Confirming with Her"

Model-turned-actress Kang Seung-hyun has been embroiled in allegations of being a school violence perpetrator during her middle school years, and Kang Seung-hyun's side has issued a statement. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Model-turned-actress Kang Seung-hyun has been embroiled in allegations of being a school violence perpetrator during middle school, and Kang Seung-hyun's side has issued a statement.

On the 22nd, Kang Seung-hyun's agency stated regarding the allegations of school violence perpetration during middle school, "We are currently confirming with the individual."

Earlier that day, a post titled "The model and actress who appeared is the ringleader of a group assault" was published on an online community.

The author of the post said, "A few days ago, I saw a post on Nate Pann titled 'The celebrity look-alike fianc?e PD is a group assault perpetrator,' and since I had a similar experience, I empathized with the original poster and left a comment."

They continued, "This was a group assault I experienced in the second semester of my second year in middle school. My friend and I were leaving school early when perpetrator A, wearing a school uniform, snatched the snack my friend was holding," adding, "When I asked, 'Who are you? Why did you take someone else's snack?' A replied, 'Do you know who I am? What grade are you in?' When I said second grade, A said, 'How dare you speak informally to a senior? Apologize.' Since I had no reason to apologize, I took my friend and left."

They went on, "At that moment, A shouted from behind and gathered his group, among whom was B, the ringleader of the group assault. B put his arm around my shoulder and led me down a slope. B asked, 'Do you have backing?' I said no," and added, "B told me to decide whether my friend or I would get beaten. I sent my friend away, and B hit my head and face multiple times. My glasses fell to the ground and bent, and my hair was disheveled. Many students, including classmates, watched me on the way home."

They continued, "Then B asked my name and class again, slapped me one last time, and walked with his group to the apartment where he lives across the street," adding, "I still vividly remember the fear and shame from the first assault, my face burning as if it would burst, and sobbing until my throat hurt when I got home. I closed the door and cried uncontrollably. I have never cried like that since."

They also revealed, "In 2008, while watching TV at a friend's house, I saw B participating in a program called Supermodel Contest. B won, and I heard the judges said they chose B mainly for his personality. I couldn't sleep for a while out of frustration. It was the start of another hell for me, but a turning point in life for B."

The author said, "I have been trying to forget, but after posting a conceptual post about Dokdo, it became a hot topic, and through connections with close celebrities, it became a topic again. I have no way to avoid the perpetrator, who is active in dramas, radio, and SNS, so I am posting this," adding, "As evidence, I have my middle school graduation album, witnesses are my friends I still keep in touch with, and if threatened with false information dissemination or defamation, I will provide additional evidence."

Finally, they said, "I know B comes from a wealthy family and will live happily with close celebrity acquaintances with the money earned so far, which I cannot do anything about. However, I hope never to see him again through the media," adding, "I hope no more victims like me will appear, and that the wounds of victims living with nightmares like mine will be somewhat healed."

As the post spread online and controversy arose, netizens began speculating who B might be. Based on the author's claim that B won a Supermodel Contest and appeared in dramas such as 'Partners for Justice' and 'My Only One,' netizens speculated that B might be Kang Seung-hyun.

Also, when netizens asked Kang Seung-hyun to clarify the 'school violence' allegations in comments on her Instagram, Kang Seung-hyun restricted the comment function. She also removed all posts from her Instagram story.

Meanwhile, Kang Seung-hyun debuted in 2008 as the winner of Ford Supermodel of the World. Since then, she has been active as an actress, appearing in films such as 'Champion,' 'Believer,' 'The King's Case Note,' and dramas including 'Partners for Justice Season 2' and 'My Only One.'