'Anyway Going to Work' Lee So-yeon Apologizes After Admitting School Violence... "Sex Trade Mediation Is Absurd"

At the beginning of last year, So-yeon Lee, a former bank employee turned influencer who appeared on MBC's entertainment program 'Anyway, Going to Work,' admitted to and apologized for past school violence offenses.
[Photo by MBC 'Anyway, Going to Work' capture]

[Asia Economy Reporter Sumi Hwang] Former banker turned influencer Lee So-yeon, who appeared on MBC variety show 'Anyway, Going to Work,' admitted and apologized for her past school violence offenses.

On the 30th, Lee So-yeon posted on Instagram, "I knew the clothes belonged to a victim of school violence, but I did not return them and sold them on a secondhand site," adding, "I committed a great sin out of greed. I am sorry."

She said, "During the eight years after joining the bank, false information was added to the incident on the Blind bulletin board and the company's official YouTube channel, and I was also asked to resolve complaints heard through comments on the company’s YouTube channel at work."

She continued, "I apologized once again to the victim and asked, 'I will reduce my YouTube and external activities within the company from now on, so could you please delete the comments as the company requested?'"

Lee So-yeon also said, "I should have apologized more sincerely and waited for forgiveness, but I became exhausted from working with false information for a long time and sought consultation with a lawyer."

She explained, "I was advised that in order to remove continuously posted false or past wrongdoings, I had to proceed with a lawsuit, so I entrusted the lawyer and proceeded with the lawsuit."

She bowed her head and said, "Looking back, I was exhausted by the reality of being the subject of gossip at work over an incident from 10 years ago and failed to understand the victim’s feelings. I sincerely apologize to the victim once again. I will endure any criticism and live asking for forgiveness."

However, she added, "Please stop spreading false information unrelated to this. How could I possibly be involved in prostitution mediation? It is an absurd claim."

On the same day, various online communities posted that Lee So-yeon had sued A, who exposed her school violence allegations last year, for defamation by stating facts, sparking controversy.

A commented on a YouTube video featuring Lee So-yeon, saying, "She stole my clothes and is brazen about it," and "I only have bad memories from high school, but (Lee So-yeon) confidently uploads videos because it’s in the past."

She also wrote, "I am the victim and was summoned by school staff," and "(Lee So-yeon) is lucky to have gotten into the bank."

Previously, A exposed Lee So-yeon through YouTube comments while watching her receive support on MBC's 'Anyway, Going to Work' last year, saying, "That person stole my clothes."

At the time, A emphasized, "Let’s say it could happen at a young age. But 19-year-old Lee So-yeon is one thing, 28-year-old Lee So-yeon should not do that. She should not have committed false accusation by submitting a lawsuit full of lies while pretending to apologize."

Meanwhile, Lee So-yeon attracted attention by appearing as a 9-year veteran banker on 'Anyway, Going to Work' in March last year. After the broadcast, she left the bank and has been active as an influencer through Instagram and YouTube.