Bang Yedam’s Now-Deleted Apology Raises More Questions About His Involvement In Controversial Video

Rookie actor Lee Seo Han‘s multiple apologies have been deemed as controversial as the now-deleted sexual video he “accidentally” posted…

“My explanation, which was short out of fear and feeling apologetic, seems to have become controversial, so I am gathering the courage to post again.

My close friends and I like to visit Yedam’s studio and listen to music, watch movies, and drink together. Yesterday, five of us gathered and drank, and one drunk friend and Yedam went home after midnight.

The remaining friends and I had a bit more to drink and accidentally posted a staged video that’s common these days to my public account instead of my private one. It is not an illegally filmed video of any kind.

I sincerely apologize for my immature behavior as someone who dreams of becoming an actor. I apologize to those who were uncomfortable with the video and to the fans who support me. I will act carefully in the future. I apologize once again.”

— Lee Seo Han

…but what has raised even more questions is Bang Yedam‘s response to the whole situation.

Former TREASURE member-turned-soloist posted a brief statement using Instagram‘s Stories feature. While the message has since disappeared from his account, it remains triggering mixed reactions from Korean K-Pop fans.

The message was apologetic.

I am so sorry for causing concern…

— Bang Yedam

Its apologetic nature, though, has led to speculations about Bang Yedam’s involvement in the illegal filming. Koreans are wildly divided in their opinions. Some are questioning Bang Yedam’s unwillingness to report to the police when his personal space has been used in a potential crime…

• “He didn’t explain what he’s sorry about.”
• “…?”
• “He needs to make it clear whether or not he has reported them to the police so that people can stop accusing him of being a part of what Lee Seo Han has done.”
• “This can’t be the whole apology, can it?”
• “I can’t believe he apologized like this…”
• “I don’t get it, what did Bang Yedam do wrong?”
• “It would’ve been better had he not uploaded anything at all.”
• “But Bang Yedam isn’t at fault except that he let his friends hang out at his studio. No?”
• “That’s his official statement? LMAO.”

…while others argued that the soloist did what he could, apologizing for unknowingly letting his studio become a part of the situation.

• “What more could Bang Yedam have done, though? Apologize for being friends with someone like Lee Seo Han? Tell people that he’ll cut ties with the actor? It’s not like his update was in support of Lee or protecting him. I think it makes sense that he apologized for letting his studio become a part of something controversial like this. He doesn’t need to say much else.”
  • “I agree.”
• “I wonder what kind of a guy Lee Seo Han is to think something like this can be a joke.”
• “LOL. People… How is Bang Yedam also a victim in this? How would he not have known that his friends are doing sh*t like that at his studio? If he wanted to draw the line and make it clear that he wasn’t involved, he should’ve called the police on them. This half-a*sed apology isn’t enough.”

• “I don’t understand this at all… Like, the actor is weird. The apologies are all weird. This clarification is weird. Everything is weird AF.”
• “But people say… birds of a feather flock together.”
• [Deleted]
• “I don’t think apologies are what we need right now… We want them investigated.”
• “I’m going to ask my guy friends if illegal filming is indeed common.”
• “Well, from what we know, Bang Yedam is a victim of the whole situation. I don’t think he deserves to be criticized based on speculation.”
• “Wait, that’s it?”

Neither Lee Seo Han nor Bang Yedam has spoken further since their apologies, despite the growing backlash online.