Hwang Jung-min's agency files stalking complaint as accuser emails 'Hope' U.S. distributor Neon

Person A began posting allegations of an inappropriate relationship with actor Hwang Jung-min on July 28. Earlier this year, A also sent those claims to Hope's North American distributor Neon. In August of last year, A emailed production company Posed Films with the subject line "Hope lead actor long-term damage issue — production company confirmation and action request."

Hwang Jung-min's agency Sam Company filed a criminal complaint, describing A as "a stalking crime suspect who continuously harassed" the actor. Courts issued three provisional measures including approach prohibition and a summary order of 3 million won in fines. A filed an objection to that summary order and requested a formal trial. "I am preparing an official statement with my lawyer," A said.

A claims to have co-run a private blog with Hwang Jung-min. According to A, 10 of roughly 100 posts were leaked without consent, including two short stories submitted to a literary award. During the dispute with the agency, A sent a direct message via SNS to Hwang Jung-min's son, who was a minor at the time. A says this was not a threat but a request to pass along information after all other channels were blocked.

Plus M Entertainment and Posed Films said A "is causing damage equivalent to business obstruction" by emailing partner companies and repeatedly uploading and deleting defamatory posts on SNS. Sam Company warned it plans additional legal action over what it called maliciously edited posts.

Hwang Jung-min attended a Hope stage greeting at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall immediately after the controversy broke. He is scheduled to meet fans in Busan and Daegu this weekend. The Netflix film Cross 2 and A Good House to Live In — set to begin filming next month — are both proceeding on schedule. Hope has passed 3.61 million admissions and held the number-one box office position for 14 consecutive days as of July 29.