Actress Kim Hieora, known for her portrayal of the bully Lee Sa Ra in "The Glory," has recently found herself at the center of a storm of controversy. Dispatch, a prominent media outlet, has unveiled a recorded phone conversation between Hieora and an alleged school bullying victim, identified only as 'H'. This revelation has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, prompting a swift response from Hieora's agency, Gram Entertainment.
The conversation, dated September 8, 2023, reveals a tense exchange between the actress and her alleged victim. Hieora's repeated requests for an in-person meeting with 'H' were met with skepticism and resistance. The victim, 'H', confronts Hieora about past incidents, accusing her of physical violence and bullying. Hieora's responses range from apologies to attempts at justification, with the actress admitting to some wrongdoings but also suggesting that some events might have been taken out of context.
Earlier in the year, Dispatch had received a bullying accusation report from an informant, identified as 'A', who was a former student at Sangji Girls' Middle School. This led to a comprehensive private investigation by Dispatch, which involved interviews with 11 former students who attended school with Hieora. As part of this investigation, Hieora had arranged private meetings with several former classmates, offering apologies for past actions. However, 'H' had declined all such meetings, leading to the phone conversation that has now been made public.
The conversation paints a complex picture. 'H' accuses Hieora of being the primary aggressor in their past confrontations, stating, "You hit me the most out of anyone. Right?" Hieora's responses vary, with her admitting to some actions while also suggesting that she might not remember everything. The conversation also touches upon other members of the so-called 'Big Sangji' group, hinting at a larger network of individuals involved in the alleged bullying incidents.
In response to the leaked conversation, Gram Entertainment expressed shock at the edited records of the call, promising to release parts of the conversation that were not made public. They emphasized their intent to clarify the situation and provide a comprehensive account of the events in question.
The revelations have ignited a firestorm of reactions from fans and netizens alike. Many are demanding accountability, while others are calling for a more thorough investigation into the matter. The entertainment industry, known for its glitz and glamour, is once again under scrutiny, with questions being raised about the darker side of fame and the pressures faced by young stars.
In the midst of this controversy, one thing is clear: the truth is multifaceted, and the quest for it is far from over. As the public awaits further clarifications and revelations, the debate over accountability, redemption, and the impact of past actions on present reputations continues to rage on.
The transcribed version of the phone conversation can be found, below.
H: You hit me the most out of anyone. Right?
Kim Hieora: ...
H: You called me that time, after you finished 'The Glory'.
Kim Hieora: That's right.
H: Eora. To be honest, I think that if you really had honest intentions of apologizing, you should have called me before you began 'The Glory'.
H: But I heard that someone reported you for school bullying after 'The Glory'?
Kim Hieora: That's right. That's why I called you.
H: You wouldn't have bothered to call me otherwise.
Kim Hieora: I've always kept you all in my thoughts, all this time...
H: Eora. I'm sorry, but everything that you're saying just sounds like excuses to me. Do you know what I mean?
Kim Hieora: I can understand that.
H: So, what do you want?
Kim Hieora: I'm sorry.
H: Do you admit that you hit me?
Kim Hieora: I'm very sorry. Truly.
H: What are you sorry about? It's the truth. I've waited for this moment.
Kim Hieora: Can we meet in person?
H: Why do you think I waited, without agreeing to meet you in the first? All of the others agreed to meet you. E, F, and G. So why didn't I go see you? Why do I have to see you?
Kim Hieora: Do you want me to admit? Is that what you want?
H: Of course.
Kim Hieora: If that's what you want, I'll admit it. But if you come forward as an informant, your information will be revealed. Yours and the others'. It's not about what's true and what's false...
H: Eora. We're victims. You're the assailant. So what about our information? We did nothing wrong. You're the one who did wrong.
Kim Hieora: I will apologize to you as many times as it takes, as many times as you need. I'm truly sorry.
H: Eora, you must be going through a lot right now. Aren't you? But what can you do? You need to go through many, many, many more hardships. Because I've been waiting for this moment. Did you really think that you could become a celebrity, knowing what you did? I'm amazed.
Kim Hieora: Can you just meet me in person, once?
H: Why would I meet you? There is obviously a reason why I'm not agreeing to meet with you. If I had a mind to meet you in the first place, I would have done so already. If I agree to meet you, it means that I am willing to accept your apology.
Kim Hieora: You don't have to accept my apology.
H: Eora. It's for the best that you admit to everything, and take a break for a period of reflection.
H: Stop denying everything.
Kim Hieora: I'm not denying everything.
H: But you said that you didn't hit anyone?
Kim Hieora: I didn't hit you every single day...
H: No, you just called me to the noraebang and hit me, you called me out and hit me... you always targeted me in particular.
H: You said that you didn't curse at or physically harm anyone? You said you were going to pursue legal action?
Kim Hieora: That...
H: How can you say those things? How can you be so confident? Tell me, Eora. You say that you were only a 'spectator'. But you weren't. You hit us. You hit me. You hit me the most, out of anyone. I just don't understand.
Kim Hieora: There are things I remember too.
H: I was on my way to an errand. You said, 'B****, if you don't come here right now, I'm going to beat F and G to a pulp'. I remember that day clearly. It was raining. In the street by the school. You gave F a nosebleed.
Kim Hieora: Me?
H: Of course you don't remember.
Kim Hieora: I've already discussed this with F. She...
H: I always knew that you were going to be exposed like this. I've been waiting. That's why I kept rejecting your calls. You made a lot of money, so now it's time for your to take a break and reflect. A spectator? What a joke.
Kim Hieora: To be honest, I don't remember everything. But I admit that I did bad things do you. But we were friends in our first year.
H: Why does that matter?
Kim Hieora: That's why I always had you in the back of my mind. I thought that you might have felt stronger betrayal, and that left deeper scars in you.
H: For some reason, you always targeted me.
Kim Hieora: I'm so sorry. But what I'm concerned about is that, if these things go public, it could publicly reveal the information of a lot of others who didn't do any wrong. Many people will suffer damages because of me.
H: You mean the members of 'Big Sangji'? Their names will be revealed? Why is that my concern?
Kim Hieora: You remember XX, don't you? And YY?
H: They were 'Big Sangji' members who didn't hit people. But they're the 'spectators' that you were talking about. Just like you said, they're all spectators. Every single one of them.
Kim Hieora: Just give me one chance to meet you in person and apologize.
H: I do not want to hear an apology coming from you. If I did, I would have answered your calls earlier. But I was waiting for this moment. So I hope you eat well and live well. Do you know what I mean?
Kim Hieora: I'm sorry for giving you a hard time.
H: Let's end it here. I'm hanging up.
