Was Kim Jung-hyun's relationship with Seo Ye-ji abusive? Fans say he 'dry heaved' over 'Time' script changes
'Crash Landing on You' captured Kim Jung-hyun and Seo Ji-hye's chemistry brilliantly, with fans of the show shipping them majorly. So initially, when news of the two dating in real life broke, and Dispatch released pictures of their at-home dates, many fans did not have a problem.
However, as soon as this news broke, so did a scandal about how Jung-hyun had mistreated his 'Time' co-star Seohyun and other staff members as well. Initially, it seemed like the actor was rude to both his co-star and her staff members, but details revealed by Dispatch have provided a new perspective into the scandal. The news report claims that Jung-hyun behaved in a certain manner on the show allegedly over requests made by Seo Ye-ji (the star of 'It's Okay to Not be Okay), who he is speculated to have dated while he was shooting for 'Time'.
The report revealed a text message conversation between Ye-ji and Jung-hyun, in which she asks him to respond gruffly to the staff members of the female actor, and also get intimate scenes removed from the script. In the conversation, Jung-hyun agreed to all of Ye-ji's requests and this has confused his fans. So quite a few of them are asking if he was in an "abusive" relationship. Fans had swooned over Ye-ji's performance in 'It's Okay to Not be Okay', so the report claiming she was behind Jung-hyun's behavior has disappointed them majorly, especially considering the theme of the show.
One fan wrote on allkpop discussion thread, "Oh my. If true, he was in an abusive relationship." This doesn't redeem his actions, said another, adding, "I mean, his actions weren't right but when people are in toxic or abusive relationships where they are manipulated, i think it provides a lot of insight. it isn't OKAY but it isn't the same as someone just being an arsehole because they're an arsehole (e.g. not greeting others, being rude to others, bullying or belittling others just because they enjoy it)."
The fan further added, "It isn't professional behaviour but people can act incredibly different when they are being manipulated - there is a reason people in abusive relationships often don't leave, try to stay in the relationship, are submissive, etc. and it isn't because they want to behave this way; they feel they have to behave this way."
Another fan questioned Jung-hyun acting in 'Mr Queen', which has more intimate scenes than 'Time' and said, "Exactly..it isn't an excuse but the actual reason why he behaved in such a way...I see him having no problem in Mr Queen which contained lots of skinship..Goes on to show how much supportive is Seo Ji Hye."
This fan was referring to recent news that the actor is dating his co-star from 'Crash Landing on You' to explain the change in behavior and even drawing a comparison.
A thread on Thekoo about how Jung-hyun suffered while working on 'Time' that said "he constantly requested to adjust the script on set. If his requests weren't met, he then ran out and dry heaved" was quoted by a fan on Reddit, who wrote, "If what any of that article says is true...Having a bodily/visceral reaction due to fear of crossing your partner is so sad. Those texts messages are so freakishly controlling. I wonder what Korea’s attitude is towards emotional abuse of men in hetero partnerships."
As of now, there have been no comments from Seo Ye-ji's agency. Meanwhile, she is reportedly set to attend the test screening of her upcoming film 'Recalled', which also stars Kim Kang-woo in the lead role.