Actor Lee Sung-min personally contacted Shin Se-kyung after his Baeksang Arts Awards acceptance speech sparked a wave of controversy, and the two cleared up the misunderstanding — a development only revealed later.
On the 17th, Lee’s agency HB Entertainment told multiple outlets, "We understand the two spoke privately." In particular, Lee reached out to Shin the day after the ceremony to talk, and during that conversation, the two reportedly resolved their misunderstanding amicably.
The backlash began at the May 8 Baeksang Arts Awards. After winning Best Supporting Actor (Film) for the movie It can't be helped, Lee said, "I even cursed to myself because my co-star Yum Hye-ran didn’t win," expressing disappointment on behalf of his colleague.
The issue, critics argued, was timing: the remark came immediately after Shin Se-kyung was named Best Supporting Actress. Some netizens called the comment "inconsiderate to the winner" and "rude," and the controversy quickly spread.
However, reports say the on-site mood was relatively light. Lee’s comment was closer to an affectionate, joking nod to a colleague he worked with, and director Park Chan-wook reportedly kept the playful tone going afterward. Even so, the remark’s context was clipped and magnified online, fueling ongoing criticism.
Ultimately, Lee contacted Shin directly the next day to explain. While the exact details of their conversation were not disclosed, both sides communicated smoothly, and the incident has effectively been wrapped up as a minor hiccup.
In the end, the flap became a case study in how a star’s one-liner can swiftly swing public opinion. Thanks to quick, direct communication between the parties, the misunderstanding was resolved before it could escalate into a larger conflict.