Kim Min-jong breaks silence on MC Mong lawsuit withdrawal: 'I decided for myself'

He pulled the complaint — and explained why

Kim Min-jong addressed the MC Mong defamation case publicly for the first time on the October 11 broadcast of SBS's Miwoon Uri Saekki (Sundays, 9:05 PM), filmed at his remodeled house in Yangpyeong. Actor Lee Jong-hyuk and singer Yoon Min-soo were visiting when Yoon opened the topic: "Didn't you have something upsetting happen recently?"

Kim confirmed he had withdrawn his complaint. Lee Jong-hyuk asked whether he had accepted an apology and ended it there. Kim's answer was straightforward:

"He apologized very sincerely. I thought there was no more meaning in doing anything more here, so I decided to withdraw the complaint for my sake."

MC Mong had made the allegations during a live broadcast in May, claiming a celebrity illegal gambling group existed and that Kim Min-jong was part of it. Kim denied everything and filed a defamation complaint, citing damage to 38 years of reputation and trust built since his debut. MC Mong apologized four days after the complaint was filed.

A Hollywood project gone, a director's three years wasted

The controversy cost Kim more than his reputation. Discussions about a Hollywood project appearance and advertising contracts were halted. He was also dropped from a film he had been preparing for, with another actor cast in his place.

"The director had prepared the work for 3 years, so he was more troubled," Kim said. "The role was very good." He called the lost project a matter of fate—"it wasn't meant to be"—and said his mental state had taken a real hit before settling.

"My mental state went up and down a lot, but after it all passed, things got organized," he said. "What's past is past, and I believe the future will be better."

The episode also briefly veered into marriage talk, which Kim shut down fast: "Why is the topic going there, why suddenly?"