'The Glory' actor Kim Hieora reacts to allegations that she was a school bully
Korean star Kim Hieora, who portrayed one of the villains in the acclaimed Netflix series The Glory, denied allegations that she bullied her schoolmates in high school.
The Korea Times reported that Hieora's entertainment company urged the public to refrain from spreading baseless information, warning of legal consequences for defamation.
"We'd like to ask people to stop spreading factually incorrect information," her entertainment company said in a statement. "We will respond to malicious actions that defame the actress."
Korean news agency Dispatch first reported that Hieora was part of a school gang in Wonju City in Gangwon province. She allegedly harassed her schoolmates, and even engaged in alleged theft on campus.
While Hieora said she was indeed a member of a school gang, she denied claims of inflicting physical violence.
"I wasn't a good student. I was a gang member, but wasn't active," she's quoted as saying. "I wasn't so bad that I intentionally harmed others."
In an Instagram post on Sept. 6, she posted a photo of what appears to be concrete, and without explicitly mentioning the bullying allegations, apologized to followers for "breaking her mind."
"Just as I appealed with a really young heart, I try to be honest and diligent in everything," she said.
"Once again, I apologize to those who supported me and trusted me, and I sincerely apologize to those who were hurt because of me at this moment," she continued.
"I will move forward without lies because I know that many of you believe in me. Please keep an eye out," Hieora ended her post.
Following the allegations, local video streaming service Coupang Play reportedly canceled an upcoming show that featured Hieora.
In The Glory, she portrayed Lee Sa-ra, who tormented the character Moon Dong-eun played by Song Hye-kyo.