The ongoing legal and social battle between South Korean actress Song Ha-yoon (born Kim Mi-seon, 1986) and an accuser known publicly as A has taken a dramatic turn, with both sides escalating their claims and legal maneuvers in a case that has captured the attention of the Korean public and media. The dispute, which centers on allegations of school violence more than two decades ago, has become a flashpoint for debates about defamation, public accountability, and the limits of online accusations in the digital era.
On August 21, 2025, A, who holds U.S. citizenship, released a lengthy public statement on an online community, titled "Song Ha-yoon school violence perpetrator, Song Ha-yoon and legal expert jointly publicly report school violence incident." In this statement, A accused Song Ha-yoon of school violence, assault, defamation, and additional related offenses, and announced plans to pursue further legal action against both Song and her legal representatives. According to TenAsia, A asserted, "I will file complaints against Song Ha-yoon for false accusation, defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act, defamation by spreading false information under the Criminal Act, and coercion. I am also preparing a civil lawsuit for damages."
A’s statement came after a year of simmering controversy that first erupted in April of the previous year, when the case was spotlighted on the JTBC program Case Ban-jang. On that broadcast, A claimed to have been physically assaulted by Song during their high school years. The story was soon picked up by other media outlets, and Song’s management agency swiftly issued a denial, stating, "After confirming with the actress, she has no acquaintance with the informant and the allegations are completely untrue." (TenAsia)
The dispute has since evolved into a complex legal back-and-forth. According to Hankyung, A alleges that Song’s side initially responded with silence for twelve months, but then filed a criminal complaint against A in March 2025. In May, authorities reportedly decided to halt the investigation, but by July 22, Song’s legal team filed additional charges against A, labeling her a "suspect" and an "accused." A claims that in the midst of these proceedings, Song’s side demanded a "false confession apology letter"—a request A refused, leading to further legal escalation.
In the public statement, A explained, "I proposed to resolve the matter peacefully on July 9, but was asked to issue a false confession apology letter. When I declined, Song’s side filed an additional complaint on July 22." A further claimed, "Song Ha-yoon and her legal team attempted to socially ostracize me by framing me as a criminal, even though my intention was never to escalate this into a prolonged dispute."
One of the most contentious points centers on whether Song Ha-yoon was forced to transfer schools due to the alleged violence. A stated that they requested information from Song’s former school to verify the transfer, and received a response indicating that the relevant documents were not non-existent, but rather withheld for privacy reasons. A interpreted this as administrative acknowledgment that such documents exist, telling TenAsia, "The school’s decision to withhold the documents for privacy, not because they are non-existent, is an official administrative recognition of their existence."
Song Ha-yoon’s side, represented by law firm Ji-eum, has consistently denied all allegations. In a formal statement, her legal team said, "Song Ha-yoon has never committed any violence against A during her high school years, nor was she ever forced to transfer because of school violence. We have submitted public institution documents, notarized statements, and various evidence to the investigating authorities to prove these claims are false." (TenAsia) Additionally, Song’s former homeroom teacher reportedly confirmed that there was no forced transfer on record.
Song’s legal representatives argue that the accusations have caused severe harm to her reputation and mental health. "Song Ha-yoon has suffered serious damage to her honor, built over 22 years, and is experiencing extreme psychological distress as a result," the statement read.
The conflict has also spilled onto the airwaves and social media. On Case Ban-jang, A recounted, "In 2004, when I was a second-year student in high school, I was called out by a third-year senior, actress S, and slapped for 90 minutes without reason." The actress in question was later publicly identified as Song Ha-yoon. Song’s agency, King Kong by Starship, confirmed that Song had indeed transferred schools but insisted, "She has no connection to the case reported on Case Ban-jang and does not know the informant."
A has not acted alone; a classmate named S, who reportedly lived with A, has confirmed the allegations, according to both TenAsia and Hankyung. However, investigations to date have found no conclusive evidence of assault or school violence involving Song Ha-yoon, and the actress’s legal team maintains that the claims are unfounded.
Despite the lack of official evidence, A remains undeterred. The accuser announced plans to release a "fourth complaint document" on August 25, 2025, vowing to continue pursuing the case in both criminal and civil courts. A has also stated an intention to return to Korea in order to cooperate with investigations, expressing hope that the case will serve as an important precedent for protecting whistleblowers and setting limits on personal attacks through the media.
In A’s own words, as quoted by Hankyung, "This case is differentiated as a worldwide defamation and false accusation incident against a foreign national, and it will become an important precedent for protecting whistleblowers and defining the boundaries of personal attacks through the media." A further commented, "Unlike the typical pattern of school violence cases—where the victim exposes the violence, the perpetrator sues for defamation, and the victim remains silent—this case is developing differently, with the victim actively pursuing the truth to the end."
As the legal wrangling continues, both sides remain entrenched. Song Ha-yoon’s representatives insist that all allegations are baseless and that they have provided ample evidence to exonerate her. A, meanwhile, continues to press forward with new accusations and promises of further disclosures. The Korean public, for its part, is left to watch as the case unfolds, raising difficult questions about justice, reputation, and the power of the internet to shape—and sometimes distort—the truth.
With another complaint document expected soon and legal proceedings ongoing, the story of Song Ha-yoon and her accuser appears far from over. Both the actress and her accuser are determined to see their versions of the truth recognized, setting the stage for what could become a landmark case in the intersection of celebrity, law, and public opinion in South Korea.
