Nam Joo Hyuk’s agency refutes allegations of his involvement in recent sparring video, confirms previous meetings with accuser

The actor was swept in school bullying allegations last year in 2022.

April 28, 2023 - 6:04 PM IST

South Korean star Nam Joo Hyuk, who was swept in school bullying allegations last year, is once again embroiled in controversy as the alleged victim has shared a cryptic video as evidence. Soon after the video went viral, Nam Joo Hyuk’s agency Management SOOP released a statement denying any link between the actor and the sparring video.

Nam Joo Hyuk’s agency refutes allegations of his involvement in recent sparring video, confirms previous meetings with accuser

As reported by the Korean tabloid Soompi, the agency asserted that Nam Joo Hyuk was not present during the filming of the video and had met with the accuser multiple times to discuss the allegations. During their first meeting, they watched the video, but the agency stated that it was unrelated to him.

“We are making an official statement regarding the YouTube content that was released on April 26 about actor Nam Joo Hyuk (whom we will hereafter refer to as simply “the actor”),” the agency noted. “First of all, we are clearly stating that the so-called “sparring” video that was included in this YouTube content has no relation to the actor. Also, it is not true at all that he forced anyone to take part in this so-called “sparring.”

The statement continued, “At the actor’s first meeting with the accuser, we learned of the existence of this video, and we saw the entire thing. If you watch the video in question, the actor does not appear at all, and there is no content related to the actor at all. We express our deep regret that, while releasing this video, one YouTube channel talked about it as if the actor took part in that sparring video.”

“Right now, investigations regarding school violence are still ongoing,” the agency said adding, “It is a very difficult thing to prove that one did not do something. We entreat you to please refrain from one-sided reports until there are clear results from the investigation.”

In 2022, Nam Joo Hyuk faced allegations of school violence when three accusers claimed he and his friends bullied them in high school. Management SOOP denied the first two accusers' claims and clarified the third accuser's allegations. Legal action was taken against the accusers, the reporter, and the publication.

Additionally, friends of Nam Joo Hyuk denied the "forced sparring" accusation. Recently, a video allegedly showing "A" being forced to spar was released on YouTube, but Nam Joo Hyuk is not seen in the video. "A" also claims that the actor was present however, the actor’s agency has maintained that he has no link with the video and the accusations are groundless.

Also Read: Nam Joo Hyuk school bullying controversy continues as former classmate shares cryptic video as evidence