He was plagued by his controversy.
Actor Kim Jung Hyun has spoken out about the gaslighting controversy. He had once dated actress Seo Ye Ji, and during the time period, he had acted in a way that drew criticism from the public.
On the June 13, 2025, broadcast of the KBS2 variety program led by Shin Dong Yup, Kim Jung Hyun appeared as a guest. When the host remarked that people go through times so hard that it is hard to get back up, Kim Jung Hyun addressed his long-awaited comeback after his controversy. He reflected that what he experienced was not as bad as he 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.”
Back in 2021, Kim Jung-hyun faced serious damage to his public image after allegations emerged that he had been gaslighted by actress Seo Ye Ji. At the time, he was nicknamed “Kim Ddak-ddak” (meaning “stiff” or “rigid”) due to his behavior during the press conference for the drama Time, where he maintained a blank expression and appeared unengaged. Controversy intensified when he refused to link arms with co-star Seohyun during a photo session, further fueling criticism over his attitude. You can read more about it below.
Seo Ye Ji Accused Of Gaslighting Kim Jung Hyun As Her Past Skinship Scenes Resurface