"Deep Wound": 'Ok-jang-pan' Case Resurfaces After 4 Years.. The Full Story of the Conflict Between Ok Joo-hyun and Kim Ho-young [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

The conflict that was thought to be over has resurfaced. Musical actress Ok Joo-hyun has revived the 'Ok-jang-pan incident' for the first time in four years, demanding a proper explanation from Kim Ho-young.

In 2022, the casting lineup for the 10th-anniversary production of the musical 'Elisabeth' was announced. With Ok Joo-hyun and Lee Ji-hye cast as Elisabeth, allegations of 'connection-based casting,' suggesting Ok Joo-hyun was involved in the casting, emerged.

Amid this, Kim Ho-young posted on their social media: "The Asari-pan is old news. Now it's Ok-jang-pan," causing the controversy to spread rapidly. Although Kim Ho-young did not directly mention Ok Joo-hyun, speculation continued that the post was an indirect jab at her using the term 'Ok-jang-pan.'

EMK Entertainment, the producer of 'Elisabeth,' strongly refuted the 'connection-based casting' controversy. Ok Joo-hyun stated, "Those who spread rumors without facts should be punished," and filed a defamation lawsuit against Kim Ho-young and two netizens.

Kim Ho-young's side explained that the post contained personal content, stating, "We cannot understand that Ms. Ok Joo-hyun judged the situation based only on unconfirmed information. We regret that she did not verify the facts with us or Mr. Kim Ho-young, thereby damaging the actor's reputation."

As the situation escalated, first-generation musical actors Nam Gyeongju, Choi Jung-won, and Park Kal-lim issued a statement titled "A Message to All Musicians." They stated, "We all have our own proper conduct (Jodo) to uphold in our respective positions and duties," and pointed out, "Actors are representatives who receive audience praise for their works; therefore, they must respect backstage staff and should not infringe on the production company's exclusive authority over casting."

They further emphasized, "If there is any unfairness or disadvantage within all processes of musical theater, we will work together to face it and ensure it is corrected properly." In response, actors Kim So-hyun, Jang Chi-yeon, Shin Young-sook, Jeong Sun-a, Jeong Seong-hwa, and Choi Jae-rim expressed their intention to join the appeal.

In particular, Nam Gyeongju told VideoMug in an interview, "I learned that Ho-young used such an expression ('Ok-jang-pan') after reading an article, but I cannot tell whether it was aimed at the casting issue or not." He added, "I found it strange why (Ok Joo-hyun) overreacted. We could have just talked about it on a phone call." He also remarked, "I don't know if she felt her feet were numb or something like that, but I cannot understand it."

As criticism grew, Ok Joo-hyun said, "I have read the appeal statement from senior musical actors. As someone who has dedicated 17 years to musical theater, I realized and reflected on my lack of caution during the process of addressing the allegations surrounding me and explaining them." She announced that she would withdraw her lawsuit against Kim Ho-young. Kim Ho-young also stated that the matter had been resolved amicably with Ok Joo-hyun.

Although the conflict between the two seemed to be resolved, the loosely tied knot eventually began to unravel again. Four years later, Ok Joo-hyun mentioned the 'Ok-jang-pan' incident again in her communication with fans and took aim at Kim Ho-young.

On the 8th, via social media, she revealed, "I heard explanations such as 'I have never shot down my senior sister even once' and 'The post was made to promote my friend's father's Ok-jang-pan,' so I decided not to discuss this issue further. However, just because time has passed does not mean that frame has disappeared."

She continued, "The term 'Ok-jang-pan,' which started from one person's words, became a nickname attached before my name, and since then, I have had to endure the doubts, mockery, and criticism created by those words for a long time." She also conveyed that it negatively affected her actual advertising and work activities.

Ok Joo-hyun stated, "It was an incident that left deep wounds in my life and career as an actor." She added, "What I desire is not simply an emotional fight. However, if those words were truly not directed at me, why did so many people think of me? And why has there never been a single explanation to the public regarding the damage and hurt caused by it?"

Finally, she emphasized, "I hope my name will no longer be consumed as a mockery called 'Ok-jang-pan'."

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*This content was translated by AI.