A man who accused South Korean actress Song Ha-yoon of school bullying from two decades ago has returned to Korea and announced his intention to file a massive 10 billion won ($73 million) damages lawsuit against the 38-year-old star. The accuser, identified only by his surname Oh, made the announcement through an online community post on August 25, escalating a legal battle that has been brewing since last year.
In his statement, Oh expressed frustration with how the situation has developed, writing, "I never intended this to turn into an expose or a dispute. I suggested a way for Song to resolve the matter with dignity, but it was not accepted. Now I will cooperate with investigators and file a complaint." The accuser revealed that he had personally covered all his travel expenses to return to Korea, including airfare, lodging, and transportation costs, which he plans to seek reimbursement for through legal channels.
Oh provided detailed justification for his substantial damages claim, stating, "I am preparing a damages claim of 10 billion won, covering mental suffering, international defamation, harm from false criminal procedures, loss of social livelihood and denial of rebuttal rights." He further explained that the amount also reflects "obstruction of truth-telling in the public interest, expenses borne as an overseas resident, prevention of secondary harm, the seriousness of countersuits based on false claims and the symbolic meaning of preventing similar cases in the future."
The controversy stems from allegations that first surfaced in April of last year when Oh appeared on JTBC's program "Crime Chief." During the broadcast, he claimed that Song had physically assaulted him for 90 minutes in August 2004 while they were both high school students. To support his allegations, Oh later released what he claimed were Instagram messages sent to Song and KakaoTalk exchanges with her agency staff as evidence of his attempts to address the matter privately.
Song Ha-yoon has consistently and categorically denied all allegations against her. When the claims first emerged, she stated unequivocally, "I have never met Oh." Her legal team has taken an aggressive stance in defending the actress, with her representatives at Ji-eum Law Firm filing a criminal complaint against Oh on July 2. The complaint charges Oh with defamation and obstruction of business by fraudulent means.
The legal situation became more complex when police attempted to investigate the matter but encountered resistance from Oh, who claimed U.S. citizenship and refused to cooperate with the investigation. According to Song's legal team, this non-cooperation led police to place Oh on a wanted list in May. The law firm also announced that Song is considering expanding her legal action internationally, stating she is "reviewing possible legal action in the United States and preparing to hold third parties who spread the allegations civilly and criminally liable."
Oh has pushed back against Song's legal strategy, particularly disputing the circumstances surrounding the police investigation. He characterized the police notice as "a clear distortion of facts" and rejected Song's offer to cover his travel expenses back to Korea. He dismissed the offer as merely "a limited partial reimbursement," suggesting it was insufficient to address the full scope of his claimed damages and expenses.
The timing of this legal battle is particularly significant for Song Ha-yoon's career trajectory. The actress experienced a major breakthrough with her role in tvN's 2024 hit drama "Marry My Husband," which brought her widespread recognition and acclaim in the highly competitive Korean entertainment industry. The success of this drama marked a pivotal moment in her career, making the current controversy all the more impactful for her professional standing.
As both parties prepare for what appears to be an extended legal battle, the case is expected to escalate significantly. Oh's return to Korea and his commitment to cooperate with investigators, combined with his substantial damages claim, signals his intention to pursue the matter aggressively. Meanwhile, Song's legal team continues to maintain her innocence while preparing comprehensive legal counteraction both domestically and potentially internationally. The resolution of this case could have far-reaching implications for how historical bullying allegations are handled in the Korean entertainment industry.
