Screenshot from the YouTube channel ‘Chonjang Entertainment TV’.

Ok-soon, a 31st-season cast member of SBS Plus·ENA ‘I Am Solo’, apologized once more over the controversy that arose after the broadcast and made public the ‘Girl Talk’ group KakaoTalk chat room.

On the 3rd, Ok-soon posted a lengthy statement on her social media. She said, “I sincerely apologize for causing discomfort to many people in connection with the 31st-season broadcast,” and added, “Regardless of my intent, I take seriously that my actions and words may have hurt someone.”

She continued, “I would like to clarify the facts about the parts many people are curious about,” and released portions of her message exchanges with Sun-ja and screenshots from the female cast members’ group chat.

Ok-soon from the 31st season on Instagram.

According to the released KakaoTalk captures, the group chat for the female cast members was created in January and ran without particular issues through the early part of the broadcast. After the show began airing, however, Sun-ja left the group, and the captures also show Ok-soon suggesting to the other cast members that they invite Sun-ja back.

Ok-soon also disclosed that in April she sent Sun-ja a private message apologizing, saying, “I think I misunderstood after hearing only one side,” and, “I seem to have been wrong for listening to only one account. I realized it much later, but I am very sorry.” Sun-ja appears to have read the message but did not respond.

Ok-soon from the 31st season on Instagram.

Ok-soon explained, “The ‘Girl Talk’ chat was created to coordinate meeting schedules and attendance,” and, “Most of the actual conversations were about scheduling, and it was not a space where any particular cast member was excluded or treated rudely.”

She continued, “Immediately after I heard about the issue from another cast member, I conveyed an apology,” and, “I continued trying to express my apology afterward, and I also tried to apologize in person at a live broadcast, but it was difficult to continue the conversation under the circumstances.”

Finally, she said, “I am reflecting on my shortcomings through this incident,” and bowed her head, saying, “I again sincerely apologize to Sun-ja and to the viewers.”

Earlier, during the 31st season of ‘I Am Solo’, Ok-soon found herself at the center of a backlash over a so-called ‘Girl Talk’ scene in which she, along with Young-sook and Jung-hee, discussed matters surrounding Sun-ja. Right after the broadcast, online communities flooded with criticism that they had ostracized and bad-mouthed a particular cast member.

The controversy intensified especially after Sun-ja recently expressed her displeasure about the group chat during a live broadcast. Sun-ja confided, “There were far too many moments when, under the pretense of ‘Girl Talk’, they made things hard for me,” and, “It was also unpleasant to receive light and rude questions about my relationship with Kyung-su, such as whether we are still seeing each other.”

The following is the full text of the 31st-season Ok-soon apology

Hello. This is Ok-soon from the 31st season.

First, I sincerely apologize for having caused discomfort to many people in connection with the 31st-season broadcast. Regardless of what I intended, I take seriously that my actions and words may have hurt someone.

I have read all of the comments you left on my post. I would like to clarify the facts regarding the points that the greatest number of people asked about and commented on.

The attached materials are conversations from the ‘Girl Talk’ chat and screenshots of the messages I sent at the time to convey my apology. I ask for your understanding that I am disclosing only what is necessary, out of a desire to avoid causing unnecessary harm to other cast members.

The ‘Girl Talk’ chat where the female cast members gathered was created to make plans and coordinate schedules. Most of the actual conversations were about arranging meeting dates or attendance, and it was not a place where anyone was excluded or treated rudely.

I would also like to explain how I came to apologize. Before the 26.4.29 Episode 5 broadcast, after I heard from another cast member about interview content from Sun-ja regarding my conduct becoming an issue, I immediately conveyed my apology. This was not a belated apology after the first broadcast gathering that I could not attend; I reached out as soon as I learned of the matter.

Afterward, I continued to try to convey my apology. I did not receive a reply, and later, when I met her at a live broadcast venue, I approached before it began to apologize once more. However, I judged that it was difficult to talk at that moment, so I did not continue the conversation, and I conveyed my apology again by reaching out right after the live broadcast ended.

Through this incident, I am reflecting on where I fell short. I will act more carefully going forward. Once again, I sincerely apologize to Sun-ja, who was hurt by my words, and to the viewers who felt discomfort. Thank you.

Ok-soon, 31st season