Korean actor Nam Joo-hyuk found himself in hot water yesterday after an anonymous individual accused him of being a school bully. His agency was quick to release a statement denying the allegations, but according to some Korean netizens, a certain year-old post that is once again gaining traction might have also helped in clearing his name.

An anonymous individual doles out accusations

On June 20, an alleged former classmate of Nam Joo-hyuk went on the record with Korean media outlet The Day News. The anonymous individual accused the actor of bullying him and his classmates, claiming the actor made him run errands and assaulted him physically.

“He bullied me for six years through middle school and high school. Nam Joo Hyuk hung out with thugs who bullied many students,” the anonymous individual claimed. “He cursed and hit me every day. He made me run errands for him and would humiliate me in a class by throwing pencil lead at me from the back row.”

Netizens recheck the timeline

A few eagle-eyed fans caught a discrepancy in the accuser’s timeline. The anonymous individual said he was bullied for “six years through middle school and high school.”

the statement of the accuser doesn’t make sense but let’s wait for the investigation of his management and the statement of Nam Joo hyuk himself.

©: koreaboo pic.twitter.com/hyed8aDDb4

— hyojoo (@kdramaghOrl) June 20, 2022

However, Nam Joo-hyuk was said to have attended Kyung Nam Middle School, where he played for the school’s basketball team from 2006 to 2008 until he was injured and forced to quit the sport. He then transferred to Chang Yong Middle School in Gyeonggi-do, Suwon, where he graduated before attending Soo Il High School. According to the actor’s school timeline, it won’t be possible to be in the same class as the accuser for “six years through middle school and high school” — unless the accuser also transferred schools.

Still, fans asked fellow netizens to wait for the official statement from the actor himself and his management agency. And they didn’t need to wait long.

#NamJooHyuk people should not throw any bad comments about this accusations of bullying there’s no confirmation about this. Lets wait for the action oof the company and Nam Joo Hyuk statement.

— kyungsoooyaaa🍀 (@liannnnnnnnm) June 20, 2022

His management denies the allegations

On the same day, just a couple of hours after the allegations came out, the actor’s agency Management SOOP released a brief statement, saying they are investigating the matter. “We have heard of the article and are currently looking into [the legitimacy].”

Another couple of hours later, the agency released another statement denying the bullying allegations and announcing that they will be pursuing strong legal action against the anonymous individual and the reporter.

“After checking the truth with the actor regarding the initial report, we have confirmed that all the relevant information is not true in the slightest,” the agency said. “We also express our regret at the one-sided report from the media that did not check the truth even once with the agency or the actor before publishing the article.”

“We will file criminal charges against the reporter of the media outlet that first reported [the claims] as well as the anonymous source,” they added. “The agency has requested this case to our legal advisor today in order to proceed with legal actions, and we are in the process of carrying them out.”

“We earnestly request that you please refrain from spreading groundless rumors or making speculative reports. With continuous monitoring, we will respond sternly through various angles,” the statement ended.

An earlier testimony ‘saves’ the day

A few Korean netizens took to social media to claim that they went to school with the actor. They shared their own testimonies about Nam Joo-hyuk, which are in stark contrast to what the anonymous netizen accused him of.

In a tweet, a netizen also claimed they only saw Nam Joo-hyuk “play ping pong, soccer, or basketball.”

write English spelling in English class, but the first student made a mistake, so she asked Nam Joo Hyuk to correct it; but Nam Joo Hyuk was also wrong LOL 🤣🤣”#NamJooHyuk #남주혁

— nam joohyuk my president (@njhveinpolice) June 20, 2022

Another K-netizen who claimed they went to school with the actor said, “The librarian is still working at the school … I heard that Nam Joo-hyuk was popular because he was good at sports and was tall. He later visited the school and offered scholarships.”

An article recounts a post shared on an online community in February 2021, where a netizen said they went to school with Nam Joo-hyuk. “We sat next to each other for a year. Usually, the school athletes sleep during class, but I remember Nam Joo Hyuk for being innocent, kind, and positive. He didn’t get good grades, though.” The netizen added that some of their classmates can’t even remember Nam Joo-hyuk much because he “didn’t take classes that often because he was in the basketball club.”

Upon rediscovery of the year-old post, Korean netizens said the post “saved” the actor. “Wow, this post from a year ago is now a lifeline for Nam Joo Hyuk. These days, no matter how much the agency defends its artist, bullying accusations are taken very seriously,” one said.

Fans show support

Following the agency’s strong denial, fans from across the globe have expressed their support for the actor. Some said they were happy it was quickly resolved.

nam joo hyuk got so many hit dramas i could say almost all of them went viral. if this is true, it should be exposed since wfkbj or even startup. is the accuser wants to fasten his enlistment or what by doing this https://t.co/P1qXCBO8FB

— ☆ (@hunslovr) June 20, 2022

protect nam joo hyuk at all cost!!

— o_c (@velvetred2003) June 21, 2022

Very good.
I am so tired of seeing people spreading false rumours in order to destroy people’s reputations.

I am glad they are taking legal actions because this is WAY TOO MUCH.
I hope Nam Joo Hyuk is okay ❤️❤️ https://t.co/Ge28CkUH9N

— Rebekkah (@_Rebekkaahh_) June 20, 2022

Nam Joo-hyuk

If you want to express support for the actor, you can see his dynamic portrayal of many characters in several hit series:

• Watch Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo (2016) for a boy-next-door star swimmer.
• Watch Who Are You: School 2015 (2015) for an ever-supportive and loyal classmate-turned-love interest.
• Watch The Light in Your Eyes (2019) for a charming and dedicated husband.
• Watch Start-Up (2020) for a shy, nerdy genius.
• Watch The School Nurse Files (2020) for a teacher in a fantastical setting.
• Watch his recently concluded project Twenty Five, Twenty One (2022) for a hardworking and protective oppa.

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