Jung Woong-in Confronts College Bullying Allegations
Actor Jung Woong-in has publicly addressed long-standing claims that he bullied junior students during his tenure at the Seoul Institute of the Arts. Speaking on the October 12 episode of the YouTube variety show “Zzanhan Bro,” Jung broke his silence regarding allegations that he was a source of fear for his peers. While acknowledging that the rumors are upsetting, the actor stated he intends to endure the situation.
A Former Classmate’s Defense
Host Shin Dong-yeob, a former classmate of Jung’s at the institute, moved to refute the severity of the claims. According to news.sbs.co.kr, Shin argued that anecdotes shared on various programs have been “blown out of proportion.”
To bolster his defense, Shin pointed to their professional history, noting that he personally requested Jung be cast for the sitcom “Three Friends.” He characterized their past interactions as nothing more than playful teasing between close peers, dismissing the narrative of systemic harassment.
Deconstructing the “Leg-Splitting” Anecdote
The pair also tackled a specific, recurring story involving a physical altercation described as “leg splitting.” Shin clarified that the event was a misunderstanding of his own physical limitations rather than an act of aggression.
“For me, even a slight stretch beyond 90 degrees causes capillaries to burst,” Shin said. He argued that the use of intense terminology like “torn” or “burst” in previous broadcasts created a false impression of the event, framing a simple physical struggle as something far more sinister.
The Shadow of the On-Screen Villain
Jung suggested that his public image may be distorted by his frequent portrayals of antagonists. He noted that his ability to convincingly play “villains” has led some members of the public to conflate his on-screen persona with his real-life character.
He found support in an unexpected place: his daughter. When the middle school student was asked about his career choices, she told him that directors cast him because the roles require high-level acting skills. Jung described this feedback as a source of pride that continues to motivate his professional craft.
Context Behind the Speculation
Public scrutiny surrounding Jung’s college years was fueled by comments from other alumni, including actors Ahn Jae-wook and Lee Chul-min. Their prior appearances on variety shows, where they mentioned feeling intimidated by Jung during their school days, provided the foundation for the current wave of speculation. Despite the negative attention, Jung reiterated his plan to move forward.
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