Director and actor Yang Ik-jun expressed his stance on the allegations of assaulting a junior at the press screening of his lead film 'Confession'.
On the 12th, a press screening and stage greeting for the film 'Confession' was held at Lotte Cinema in Gunja-dong, Seoul. Yang Ik-jun, who stars in 'Confession', attended the event and read a prepared statement, sharing his feelings regarding the assault incident involving a junior that was reported on the 11th.
Yang Ik-jun stated, "I wrote this down to avoid any misunderstandings," and added, "I met to help and had a friendly conversation, but I was accused of assault. They claim that I assaulted the very person I was trying to help."
He continued, "The other party filed a complaint with completely false claims, exaggerating the facts anonymously and spreading them through multiple media outlets. This is the first time I've received this much attention while working in film," he added.
Yang Ik-jun also emphasized, "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." He stated, "I will clearly tell the investigative authorities the facts without any deviation. I will also take time to discuss this with reporters as the case progresses," indicating his intention to clarify the facts.
He also warned the junior, saying, "You have manipulated and violated too many people around me without my knowledge. I have come to know everything you have done. It seems that I am the last batter to get you out. Will I also be out?"
On the 11th, it was reported that Yang Ik-jun was booked by the police on assault charges. He is accused of hitting the head of junior film staff member A multiple times with a wad of paper and verbally abusing him at a bar he operates in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, on December 13 of last year. A filed a complaint with the police on the 30th of the same month. The Seongbuk Police Station sent Yang Ik-jun to the Seoul Northern District Prosecutor's Office without detention on assault charges.
In relation to this, A claimed in an interview with a media outlet, "Yang Ik-jun scolded me for my tone during a meeting where he said he would provide a lecture opportunity, and I was hit multiple times with A4 sheets totaling 20-30 pages," asserting, "He beat me mercilessly."
Yang Ik-jun gained attention in the domestic and international film industry for his triple role as director, screenwriter, and lead actor in his feature debut 'Ddongpari' in 2009. He has also showcased his unique acting skills in dramas such as 'It's Okay, That's Love', 'Queen of Mystery', 'Bad Guys', and the Netflix original series 'Hell'.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
