Kim Hye-eun: "Seol Nan-young Is My Role Model," Apparent Jab at Fellow Alum Yoo Si-min'

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Actress Kim Hye-eun wrote and then deleted a social media post that appeared to target author Yoo Si-min, a fellow alumnus of Seoul National University.

On May 31st, Kim Hye-eun stated on Instagram, "I don't think I've ever been as ashamed of my Seoul National University education as I have been yesterday and today. I want to convey my apologies on behalf of others."

She continued, "A person's education and intellect are nothing but a worthless boast, like a thin piece of tracing paper, in front of those who speak of the earnestness of their arduous lives as proof of their existence."

She emphasized, "As a woman, I respect mothers like Ms. Seol Nan-young, who dedicated their lives to supporting their husbands' dreams, took responsibility for their livelihoods, and lived by throwing themselves into women's labor movements for justice."

She further stated, "Ms. Seol Nan-young, who silently stood by her husband, taking charge of the household and raising children without a single incident involving corporate cards, and Ms. Kim Young-ok, who personally demonstrates resilience to her juniors, are my true role models."

Finally, she added, "I am not a highly educated person, nor am I a rotten intellectual with a class consciousness that looks down on high school graduates while claiming to be from Seoul National University. As a woman living in this era, I am truly heartbroken by such cheap and harsh words."

The post appears to be a direct criticism of remarks made by author Yoo Si-min. Yoo Si-min sparked controversy on May 28th during a YouTube appearance on 'Kim Eo-jun's Dasvbaeda' by mentioning Ms. Seol Nan-young, the wife of People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo.

Regarding Seol Nan-young, Yoo Si-min stated, "The position of a spouse of a major party's presidential candidate is a place Ms. Seol Nan-young could almost never reach in her life." He added, "That's why her feet are floating in the air. In short, she's not in her right mind."

Yoo Si-min claimed, "Seol Nan-young believes Kim Moon-soo is an extraordinary person, to the point of being unbalanced. She might feel she has been elevated through marriage to such a man. She will look up to her husband even more."

These remarks quickly became embroiled in controversy, with accusations of demeaning women, laborers, and those with less education. Yoo Si-min clarified, "My expression was rough, and that was wrong. I had no intention of demeaning women or laborers," explaining, "I was merely saying that Seol Nan-young's actions would reduce her husband's votes."

Kim Hye-eun is an alumna of Seoul National University's Department of Vocal Music, the same school Yoo Si-min attended. The aforementioned post has since been deleted.