Seo Ye-ji's Return to Entertainment Sparks Mixed Reactions Amid Past Controversies

Actress Seo Ye-ji's return to the entertainment industry has sparked mixed reactions among netizens. Seo, who was previously embroiled in rumors of a love triangle involving actors Kim Soo-hyun and Lee Ro-bae, recently made her first variety show appearance in eight years, reigniting public interest.

On September 13, Seo expressed her feelings on her fan cafe, stating, "As a human, I feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and suffocated... I've endured it all." She clarified, "I have no relationship with him (Kim Soo-hyun) or his brother (Lee Ro-bae). I don't even know why I have to explain this." This was in response to a fan's question about her alleged affair with Lee Ro-bae.

Seo Ye-ji gained significant popularity in 2020 for her role alongside Kim Soo-hyun in the tvN drama 'It's Okay to Not Be Okay.' She later signed an exclusive contract with Gold Medalist, an entertainment agency co-founded by Kim and Lee, who are also family. In 2021, Seo was caught in rumors of being involved with both Kim and Lee.

On September 30, Seo appeared on TV Chosun's 'Baekban Journey with Heo Young-man,' marking her return to variety shows after eight years. During the episode, she visited Wonju, Gangwon Province, and discussed various topics, including the challenges of her acting career. Seo admitted, "It's not a one-day issue, but as time goes by, misunderstandings have become more stressful."

Previously, Seo was loved for her distinctive deep voice, doll-like appearance, and exceptional acting skills, reaching the peak of her career with 'It's Okay to Not Be Okay.' However, in 2021, she was embroiled in a controversy involving her past relationship with actor Kim Jung-hyun, accused of 'gaslighting' him. During the filming of the MBC drama 'Time,' Kim refused to interact with his co-star and displayed uncooperative behavior, with suspicions pointing to Seo's influence.

Reports emerged that Seo instructed staff not to greet her and demanded changes to romantic scenes in the script, fueling the 'gaslighting' criticism. A scene where Kim Jung-hyun rejected co-star Seohyun's attempt to link arms at a public event resurfaced, garnering sympathy for Seohyun. The writer of 'Time' reportedly underwent surgery and illness while revising the script, and the production team faced significant challenges on set.

After the controversy, Seo returned to the screen in 2022 with the tvN drama 'Eve,' but it did not receive the same response as 'It's Okay to Not Be Okay.' She has not been involved in any projects for nearly three years. After leaving Gold Medalist, she signed an exclusive contract with Sublime last year, signaling her intent to resume her career, but the path has been challenging.

Seo's recent appearance on a variety show has once again divided public opinion. Some netizens argue, "Kim Jung-hyun continues to work and receive awards, so why can't Seo?" and "She doesn't deserve to be ostracized for something that's not a crime."

Conversely, other netizens believe, "The writer of 'Time' and Seohyun suffered greatly because of Seo and Kim Jung-hyun," and "There are plenty of actors without issues; we don't need to see Seo." One netizen commented, "It's uncomfortable to see her playing the victim now."

Despite the controversy, Kim Jung-hyun has continued his career, appearing in KBS2's 'Family of Iron' last year and receiving an award. He is also set to appear in 'A Hundred Memories' this year. Meanwhile, Seo's filmography remains halted at 'Eve.' As Seo confronts the rumors head-on, it remains to be seen whether she can successfully make a comeback and win back public favor.