▲ This file photo shows actress Heo Yi-jae. (Yonhap)

 

 

SEOUL, Oct. 6 (Yonhap) -- Actress Heo Yi-jae, who revealed that she had suffered from sexual harassment and "abuse of power" from an older married actor during her rookie years, saying, "The reason I can't reveal the actor's name is because I don't have evidence."

The 34-year-old actress recently opened up on her YouTube channel, saying, "There have been people who have supported me (after disclosing abuses in the entertainment scenes) and those who were disappointed and suspect that my story is not true because I did not reveal the actor's real name."

"The reason why I can't mention the actor's real name is because of problems regarding lawsuits," Heo continued. "I was very young at the time, so I had no idea how to deal with it. There are no recordings or evidence. However, (in the recent YouTube video) I just told the truth in a simplified way."

On Sept. 10, Heo appeared on "Wayland," a YouTube channel made by K-pop girl group Crayon Pop member Way, and revealed that "The married actor, who is still active in the entertainment industry, had demanded a sexual relationship from me which was the reason for my retirement."

In addition, Heo said she had been mistreated by another actor who had slapped her cheek while wearing a large stone ring as well as grabbing Heo's hair in order to "continue the characters' emotions."

After the YouTube video was released, there was an uproar in searching online for male actors who have previously worked with Heo.

In response, the actress said, "It is true that I am afraid to fight against the responsible actors and relive my pain just to prove the wounds I received at the time," adding that "I have apologized through a phone call" to the actor who was unfairly suspected in regards to this issue. Heo stated that she would not bring up this issue in the future as well.

Heo received attention in the early 2000s for her performance in films such as "Sunflower," "A Dirty Carnival," and drama "Prince Hours," however stopped working after marrying a businessman in 2011. The actress returned with the film "Woojoo's Christmas" in 2016 as well as announcing her divorce.

(END)

 

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]