An ex-girlfriend’s post

Actually… it shouldn’t be Kim Seonho

– OP mentioned the incident happened ard July’20, and at that time the damage fee Actor K needed to pay is 900M won.
KSH only blew up Nov-Dec’20

– OP said Actor K has a “younger brother” (?) Don’t think KSH has someone like that pic.twitter.com/R6IrARGOOX

— Lev 🤍 ONE HUG on spotify~ (@brightsun2071) October 18, 2021

On Sunday, October 17, an anonymous post went viral on Pann, one of Korea’s online communities. It was written by “A” who claims she is the ex-girlfriend of a rising “Actor K” who allegedly pressured her into getting an abortion while they were dating last year.

The post alleges the ex-girlfriend got pregnant in July 2020. She wanted to have the baby but her ex-boyfriend convinced her to have an abortion six to seven weeks in. She says this what her ex-boyfriend told her: “If you have a child now, I have to pay 900 million won (about Php 38,715,078.41) in damages, and I don’t have 900 million won right now.” After she had the abortion, Actor K turned a complete 180-degree, broke up with her, and cut off all communication.

How was Kim Seon Ho’s name dragged into it?

Wow kim seonho just finished with his drama project homecha and rumours alrd spread about him? 🙄Again. For the second time, i’m here to say that I trust Kim Seon Ho isn’t the person he’s rumoured to be today. I believe in him, and i’m sure the rumour isn’t abt him.

— KSH DKS (@seonhokyungsoo) October 18, 2021

While no concrete signs point to Kim in the beginning, some were quick to speculate that “Actor K” was him given that he’s gaining popularity from Start-Up and Hometown Cha Cha Cha. An online news portal matched their headline with a pixelated photo of the actor. It also doesn’t help that a Korean journalist-turned-YouTuber, Lee Jin Ho, supported the speculations on Kim.

#ProtectKimSeonHo

i suddenly remembered an episode of 2d1n wherein papa kim was worried about seonho being so famous because then, he would already be subjected to other people’s expectations. this hits differently now. now i just wanna keep him in the circle of those who genuinely love him.

— andy ◡̈︎ | litong lito level 6 (@KSH_seonhohada) October 19, 2021

The actor’s fans have threatened to take legal action against those who defame Kim. Their official statement was posted on the Korean online community DC Inside male celebrity gallery. “His fans will not tolerate serious criminal acts that cause indescribable pain to the victim by spreading groundless facts through videos, posts, or comments in an online space that anyone can see or damaging a person’s reputation, such as abusive language and insults,” the statement said. They also promised to “track and monitor the criminal acts of those who defame actor Kim Seon Ho.”

nah cause let’s talk about how fast lee jinho hopped on youtube and dropped seonho’s name out of nowhere.
the same lee jinho, reporter turned youtuber, who was sued by actress goo hyesun for defaming her in the same manner (a youtube vid)

— ella ◡̈ (@belovedwook) October 18, 2021

Just a reminder :

Op didn’t mention Actor’s name, didn’t post any evidence while edited post few times.

Online portal just took an actor name start with “K” who is popular now a days & pen down their specualtion without any verification

Lets wait for evidence before defaming!

— KimSeonHo 김선호 Charts (@SeonhoCharts) October 19, 2021

I don’t know Kim Seonho personally. But it’s fact that he had been working like a horse with back to back drama-stage play, variety in 2019-2021 with no rest.
I draft this timeline during Baeksang Voting last year, never publish it coz I wanted make it prettier#KimSeonho #김선호 pic.twitter.com/tfISQECFbS

— Dusik’s Blue Jojodog (@geekahjumma) October 19, 2021

The hashtag #ProtectKimSeonHo has also been trending for the past few days. Fans use it to call others to believe in the actor and to send messages of support.

After what happen to Kim seon ho, this quote hit different. He try his best to show how amazing he is in acting but somehow shit happen. I hope u are strong enough to walk in this difficult road. I hope someone save u and clean your name. 💚💚#KimSeonHo#ProtectKimSeonHo pic.twitter.com/gTguiV5Ij2

— Amy (@kimseonho1231) October 19, 2021

Kim Seon Ho’s agency speaks up

Amid the online ruckus, Seon Ho’s agency finally broke its silence after two days. Salt Entertainment issued a statement apologizing for the “not so good issue” and assuring everyone that they’re getting to the bottom of it. “We’re trying to find out the truth,” they said. “We ask you to wait a little longer as the truth has not yet been verified.”

Kim Seon Ho himself admits he is Actor K

kim seon ho admits his mistake.. pic.twitter.com/QtbUwTnq64

— shal♡ (@pikachuwaeyo) October 20, 2021

In a statement that shocked everyone, Kim himself came forward and admitted the allegations. On October 20, he issued an apology for his “negligence and thoughtless actions.” He didn’t directly mention the abortion issue but he alluded to a broken relationship between him and his former flame.

“I had dated her with affection,” he said through his agency Salt Entertainment. “But I hurt her due to my carelessness and inconsiderate conduct.”

“I would like to apologize in person,” he added. “But I am currently waiting some time to ask forgiveness. I would like to say sorry with this writing.”

Kim also apologized to his disappointed fans.

Fans previously held out hope that the actor wasn’t involved in the issue. Some even guessed that Actor K was another actor, 75-year-old Kim Young Gun, who was caught in a similar situation. Kim Young Gun faced criticism last August 2021 for forcing his ex-girlfriend to abort their baby. She also ended up suing him. Sound familiar?

Brands back out

Kim Seon Ho has been deleted on domino’s pizza IG. pic.twitter.com/PPF5SRY60h

— clare (@clarenclear) October 18, 2021

Advertisers were quick to distance themselves from the actor even before he admitted he was Actor K. Among them are Canon Korea, food company Food Bucket, and Dominos Pizza who took down ads and commercials featuring Kim.

So Domino Pizza, Foodbucket and Canon deleted their Instagram posts of Kim Seon Ho 😥😥😥

If the Rumor is true, then idk anymore 😭 pic.twitter.com/ru1GuUIFT9

— 재중♥산다라JaejoongDara (@jaejoongdara) October 18, 2021

After admitting his mistakes, Kim has also reportedly left the reality variety TV show 2 Days 1 Night.

he failed to keep his promise to his co-workers too, gosh pray for the best for #2D1N pic.twitter.com/jvXUHQ0JDT

— ryamanda (@adnamayr) October 20, 2021

Staff and friends continue to post photos of him

211018 #KimSeonHo with Homcha Staff 💚#김선호 #KimSeonHo #キムソンホ#HometownChaChaCha #갯마을차차차 pic.twitter.com/p1H6QhIJm8

— ksh archive | slow (@kseonhoarchives) October 18, 2021

On the other hand, Kim’s friends and co-stars still post photos with him on Instagram even after the issue went viral. If it was an intentional silent show of their support, we can only speculate. Even Bo Ra from Hometown Cha Cha Cha uploaded a series of photos of her and Uncle Du Sik. Seeing these people share photos of Kim gives fans hope that Actor K is not him.

#HometownChaChaCha staff instagram update 📸#KimSeonHo #ShinMinAh #HometownChaChaCha #김선호 #신민아 #갯마을차차차 pic.twitter.com/o8ZTXtSHSy

— ksh archive | slow (@kseonhoarchives) October 18, 2021

Another brand also subtly showed their support:

Appreciation post to our one and only good boy Kim Seon Ho ✨ You’re doing a great job 💕 pic.twitter.com/Z3xNCQmTDL

— Viu Philippines (@Viu_PH) October 19, 2021

Actor Kim Seon Ho’s legacy

Kim Seon Ho made his celebrity debut in 2009 by acting in theater plays. He joined New Boeing Boeing, Rooftop House Cat, Goal of Love, and more. In 2017, he debuted on the small screen with a role in K-drama Good Manager followed by Strongest Deliveryman. In 2019, he joined the cast in the fourth season of the KBS2 reality show 2 Days & 1 Night. After that, he played Han Ji Pyeong in Start-Up which catapulted him to mainstream fame and had him nominated for the Baeksang Arts Award for Best Supporting Actor – Television. Finally, in 2021, he once again stole the hearts of everyone when he starred as Hong Du Sik alongside Shin Min Ah’s Yoon Hye Jin in Hometown Cha Cha Cha.

What do you think of this controversy involving Kim Seon Ho? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

UPDATED (October 20, 2021): This article has been updated and edited after actor Kim Seon Ho issued his statement.

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