Seo Yea-ji apologizes for past behavior ahead of return to small screen

Actor Seo Yea-ji released an apology regarding her past behaviors on Sunday. [ILGAN SPORTS]

Ahead of her return to the small screen, actor Seo Yea-ji released a statement of apology regarding her past inappropriate behavior.

“I apologize for such a belated written apology,” Seo said through her agency Gold Medalist on Sunday. “Looking through all the reproaches and comments about my behavior, I had taken some time off to reflect.”

Seo continued, “I am truly sorry to everyone for all the worries that I have caused and for letting so many down. All my actions stemmed from my immatureness. In the future, I will strive to be more mindful and mature.”

Seo has been off the grid in the entertainment industry since last April after she was belatedly embroiled in claims last year that she was abusive in her previous relationship with actor Kim Jung-hyun in 2018.

But on Friday, tvN announced that Seo will star as a lead in the broadcast’s new drama series, “Eve.”

In 2021, Seo was alleged to have told her boyfriend, Kim, to engage in zero contact with other female cast members on set and, later, forced him to quit a drama series he was involved in at the time.

Kim, last August, left MBC drama series “Time” (2018) after filming 12 episodes of a 32-part series, citing health issues.

After claims about her controlling and manipulative behavior gained online traction, Seo admitted to having had a romantic relationship with Kim but denied that Kim pulled himself out from the drama because he was told to do so by her.

The upcoming drama “Eve” centers on a woman who spent 13 years planning revenge after the death of her father.

Seo will portray the protagonist Lee Ra-el, who seduces the CEO of a powerful conglomerate, Kang Yoon-kyum (played by Park Byung-eun), causing him to go through a divorce lawsuit costing 2 trillion won ($1.67 billion). Yoo Sun portrays Yoon-kyum’s wife Han So-ra, a daughter of a powerful politician who is obsessed over her husband. Lee Sang-yeop portrays Seo Eun-pyeong, the youngest member of the National Assembly receiving spotlight by the media. He is described as having a scarred past and someone who is willing to do anything for love.

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]