Become famous all over the world, Lee Jung-jae played Seong Gi-hun in the critically acclaimed film squid game. His performance was praised and adored by fans and critics alike, earning him an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
Related: Hollywood Finally Takes Note Of Korean Stardom As Squid Game Star Lee Jung-jae Is Confirmed As The Male Lead Of Star Wars: The Acolyte
The actor also landed a role in a Star Wars production titled The Acolyte, which should be released on Disney+. As is often the case with most celebrities who become famous overnight, your past is unearthed and Lee Jung-jae the story doesn’t seem so clean.
Lee Jung-jaethe turbulent past
News of the charges, arrests and a controversial interview with the actor have surfaced on a South Korean online forum called Instiz. In a 2013 interview with Vogue Korea, the actor made controversial comments, deemed homophobic by fans, against his late friend MY. He said:
“Some time ago, Y went to heaven…[Before he died,] I said to Y, ‘You should stop being gay. Haven’t you been enough like that? But it wasn’t easy.”
In the past, Lee Jung-jae was arrested for a DUI with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.222%. The report said his car collided with a 23-year-old office worker in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. But the actor denied the allegations, saying his manager was the one driving the BMV.
I’m so sad that I didn’t find out until today 😭😭😭
— It’s a Monty Python joke 🤖 and 500 others (@dontthrowdirt) September 13, 2022
Read also : ‘Seong Gi-hun has become a whole new person’: Squid game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk hints that Gi-hun will dismantle the organization in Season 2
Knets is shocked to learn of Lee Jungjae’s 2 times DUI and 2 times assault charges including assaulting a woman https://t.co/v8Z4fXiFNY pic.twitter.com/9rJA6ATG4K
— pannchoa (@pannchoa) September 9, 2022
The actor was also convicted of assault in 2020 by Busan Haeundae Police Station. The report said he dragged and kicked a 22-year-old woman outside a nightclub, leaving her injured for two weeks.
Fans are comparing the actor’s leeway to Johhny Depp
After Lee Jung-jae’s story surfaced, many Amber Heard fans compared the situation to that of Johhny Depp. During his testimony, the actor compared his losing the case to women losing the case and it resonated with his fans.
“I had the rare vantage point of seeing, in real time, how institutions protect men accused of abuse” – Amber Heard https://t.co/Yc1TdKEpQw
— lilian (@liliandaisies) September 13, 2022
Check: “Have we learned nothing from Amber Heard?
Amber’s statement is constantly proven how true it is
— Smile18 (@Smile1836) September 13, 2022
I had no idea he had charges. Amber’s words are true. 😞
– cilian murphy stan account 🌙 (@lioninheaven) September 13, 2022
Read more: Aquaman 2: Emilia Clarke Tends Strongly As Amber Replaced Rumors As Mera Takes The Internet By Storm
I did not know. Thanks
— You_bouges_ou_jte_bouge (@Lagertha_Lthb) September 13, 2022
While many expressed their displeasure at liking Lee Jung-jae in the first place, some particularly singled out his accusations of assaulting women. Amber Heard fans believe the actor’s statement came true after Lee Jung-jae’s rise to fame.
Source: sportskeeda
