Director and actor Yang Ik-jun has expressed his stance regarding the recent allegations of 'assaulting juniors.'
On the 12th, a press screening and stage greeting for the film 'Confession' took place at Lotte Cinema in Kondae, Seoul. Yang Ik-jun, who plays the lead role, attended the event. However, there was no press conference held alongside the screening, and photo coverage was restricted.
'Confession' tells the story of two friends who become stranded during an unexpected snowstorm while hiking. Japanese director Yamashita Nobuhiro directed the film, and Yang Ik-jun delivered a powerful performance as the crazed character Ji-yong.
Before the film, controversy arose when news of Yang Ik-jun's alleged 'assault on juniors' came to light. He is accused of hitting a film staff member on the head with a wad of paper and verbally abusing them at a pub he operates in Seongbuk-gu on December 13 of last year. A complaint was filed at the Seongbuk Police Station in Seoul on December 30, and as a result of the investigation, the police transferred Yang Ik-jun to the Seoul Northern District Prosecutor's Office on the 11th without detention on charges of assault.
In response, Yang Ik-jun read a statement he had prepared, expressing his feelings of injustice. "I wrote this down to avoid any potential misunderstandings," he said, adding, "I met to help and had a friendly conversation, yet I was accused of assault." He continued, "They claim that I assaulted the very person I was trying to help."
Yang Ik-jun stated that the accuser made completely false claims against him and exaggerated the facts anonymously, leading to articles being published in various media outlets. He expressed disbelief, saying, "This is the first time I've received this much attention while making a film."
"I want to make it clear that the statements made by Mr. Choi in the articles from the day before yesterday and yesterday are completely untrue. They are baseless," Yang Ik-jun emphasized, stating, "I will clearly tell the truth to the investigative authorities without any deviation of even 1mm," and added, "I will have time to discuss this with reporters as the case progresses."
He continued, "If the reporters here learn the 'truth,' they might think, 'Oh, we wrote an article about this?' and either laugh in disbelief or be shocked by some facts," and added, "If you want to know more about the situation at that time, I encourage you to contact the three groups of customers who were present in my small, open workspace, which is less than 10 pyeong, excluding the restroom, and get their phone numbers or talk to the owner of the establishment about what happened."
Separately from the personal controversy, Yang Ik-jun stated that 'Confession' is a work that both the staff and actors have cherished, and he concluded, "Mr. Choi Sky, you have secretly manipulated and violated many people around me besides myself. I have come to know everything you have done and committed. It seems that I am the last batter who will strike you out," and asked, "Will I also be out?" targeting the accuser.
Meanwhile, Yang Ik-jun gained attention in 2009 for taking on the roles of director, screenwriter, and lead actor in the film 'Fly Up,' and has since appeared in dramas such as 'The Good Man in the World,' 'It's Okay, That's Love,' 'Hell Season 2,' and films like 'Cult,' 'Juri,' 'The Family's Country,' 'Gyechun Halmae,' 'The Poet's Love,' and 'La La La.'
(I wrote this down to avoid any potential misunderstandings.)
I met to help and had a friendly conversation, yet I was accused of assault. They claim that I assaulted the very person I was trying to help.
The accuser made completely false claims against me and exaggerated the facts anonymously, leading to articles being published in various media outlets. This is the first time I've received this much attention while making a film.
I want to make it clear that the statements made by Mr. Choi in the articles from the day before yesterday and yesterday are completely untrue. They are baseless, and I will clearly tell the truth to the investigative authorities without any deviation of even 1mm. I will have time to discuss this with reporters as the case progresses.
However, if the reporters here learn the 'truth,' they might think, 'Oh, we wrote an article about this?' and either laugh in disbelief or be shocked by some facts.
If you want to know more about the situation at that time, I encourage you to contact the three groups of customers who were present in my small, open workspace, which is less than 10 pyeong, excluding the restroom, and get their phone numbers or talk to the owner of the establishment about what happened.
Thank you for coming this far, and although it's a short story, I appreciate your listening.
And I hope that, separate from my personal matters, you will introduce the work that the staff and actors have cherished well. Thank you.
Mr. Choi Sky, you have secretly manipulated and violated many people around me besides myself. I have come to know everything you have done and committed. It seems that I am the last batter who will strike you out. Will I also be out?
[Geum Bit-na, MK Sports Reporter]
