Actress Kim Hye Ja Responds To Director Bong Joon Ho’s Sexual Harassment Controversy

Famous Korean director Bong Joon Ho came under fire today as his past interview for his previous movies, “Mother” and “Snow Piercer”, resurfaced. Netizens claimed he sexually harassed veteran actress Kim Hye Ja by spontaneously allowing her co-actor Won Bin to touch her breast without notifying her beforehand.

Kim Hye Ja had recalled the story during a press conference for the movie that released back in 2009. As the director was heavily criticized as the interview resurfaced, the production company claimed it was all a misunderstanding that was settled between the staff and cast at the time.

In the movie, (there is a scene where) Won Bin tells Jin Goo (played by Jin Tae) that he’s sleeping with mom too. Then I was inside sleeping and suddenly, he touched my breasts.

(In the script), he was not supposed to touch my breast but I didn’t say anything assuming there was a reason but he (Director Bong) said he told him to do it.

ㅡ Kim Hye Ja

As the controversy continued to bring malicious comments about Director Bong, the production company for his latest hit movie “Parasite” stepped up to explain Kim Hye Ja’s current stand on the controversy.

Barunson E&A relayed the conversation they recently shared with Kim Hye Ja about the interview. According to the production company, Kim Hye Ja feels very apologetic and scared by the misunderstanding. She claims she made a mistake in her memories and actually had discussed the scene with Director Bong before filming.

‘Mother’ was a movie that Director Bong and I created while discussing with each other quite often. He said, ‘Since I’m not a mother, I believe you will know more about the thoughts and feelings of a mother.‘

Thinking back on it, Director Bong had actually told me, ‘Do Joon might put his hands on his mother’s breasts’, before filming. I responded, ‘So what if he does? A mentally challenged son could fall asleep while touching his mother’s breasts.‘

While I was filming the scene, I laid down with the troubled mind of the mother who raises a mentally challenged son. I didn’t even take off my socks. If my son suddenly acted out, I would have needed to run after him right away.

I filmed the scene with that kind of mindset. I am very sorry to Director Bong that there was a misunderstanding, and I’m very scared of what’s going on.

— Kim Hye Ja

The production company also explained that Director Bong didn’t call her out for her mistaken memory during their interview because he was afraid of disrespecting the veteran actress.

Director Bong Joon Ho is a widely acclaimed director who’s famous for his numerous boxoffice hit films, such as “Parasite”, “Memories Of Murder”, “Okja”, and more.

Read the full statement below:

Hello, this is Barunson E&A, the production company for the movie ‘Parasite’.

We would like to make a statement regarding actress Kim Hye Ja’s interview from last May 9th that has currently become a controversy.

After personally checking in with Kim Hye Ja, she believes she made a sudden mistake with her memories during the interview.

Kim Hye Ja said, ‘”Mother” was a movie that Director Bong and I created while discussing with each other quite often. He said, “Since I’m not a mother, I believe you will know more about the thoughts and feelings of a mother.”

Thinking back on it, Director Bong had actually told me, “Do Joon might put his hands on his mother’s breasts”, before filming. I responded, “So what if he does? A mentally challenged son could fall asleep while touching his mother’s breasts.”‘

According to her statement, Kim Hye Ja confirmed that the director discussed the scene with her before the filming and only moved forward after he got her approval.

She also added, ‘While I was filming the scene, I laid down with the troubled mind of the mother who raises a mentally challenged son. I didn’t even take off my socks. If my son suddenly acted out, I would have needed to run after him right away.

I filmed the scene with that kind of mindset. I am very sorry to Director Bong that there was a misunderstanding, and I’m very scared of what’s going on.’

As to the reason why Director Bong did not correct her during the interview, he was afraid to disrespect and cause distress to actress Kim Hye Ja by calling out her mistake on the spot. Please keep in mind that the interview also held a free atmosphere for everyone to talk about the movie.

Thank you.

— Barunson E&A