Actress Seo Ye Ji made headlines with her April 12 appearance on SNL Korea Season 7, where she directly referenced her 2021 gaslighting scandal and other controversies through comedy skits. While some praised her for confronting the rumors head-on, others criticized the move as insensitive. The episode also showcased her comedic versatility, including a viral dance battle and bold character transformations. Days later, a cryptic Instagram post hinted at lingering emotional struggles despite her on-screen confidence.
Addressing the Gaslighting Scandal
Seo Ye Ji opened the SNL Korea episode by joking, “I’ll gaslight all the crew members to do their best and make it fun.” Host Shin Dong Yup played along, adding, “Right. Gaslighting is your hobby and specialty, I forgot.” The exchange referenced allegations that Seo had psychologically manipulated her then-boyfriend, actor Kim Jung Hyun, during his 2018 drama Time, urging him to avoid physical contact with co-star Seohyun (Girls’ Generation) via texts like “Kim Ttak-san, take out all your skinship” .
In the skit “Seo Ye JiPT,” a parody of ChatGPT, she gaslit comedian Kim Won Hoon, who became dependent on her AI character. When he hesitated to confront coworkers mocking him, Seo quipped, “What’s really shameful is sitting quietly and getting dragged without saying a word. That’s what’s unfair. I’ve been through that a lot myself”—a nod to her own silence during past scandals .
Mixed Public Reactions
Online debates erupted after the episode:
- Supporters argued Seo’s humor showed resilience: “She must be bringing it up because she didn’t actually gaslight anyone. People always go after her no matter what” . Others noted the lack of legal consequences: “It was between consenting adults… No investigation proved wrongdoing” .
- Critics called the sketches tone-deaf: “Turning gaslighting into comedy? Not funny at all. SNL Korea should know hurting others isn’t humor” . Some referenced Kim Jung Hyun’s reported distress during Time, which led to his exit from the drama .
Behind the Scenes and Viral Moments
Beyond controversy, the episode highlighted Seo’s comedic chops. She starred in a high-energy dance battle to BLACKPINK Jennie’s “Mantra,” a callback to her 2023 fan meeting performance, and transformed into quirky characters like a mystical salon owner . Insiders praised her dedication, noting she collaborated closely with writers and rehearsed intensely .
A Cryptic Follow-Up
On April 14, Seo posted an Instagram photo with the quote, “Don’t act like nothing’s wrong just because you’re pretending to be fine.” Fans speculated it reflected her emotional state after years of public scrutiny . The post contrasted with her SNL confidence, where she’d joked about “letting go of everything” .
Career Impact and Next Steps
Seo’s scandals had derailed her career after 2021, with her 2022 drama Eve facing backlash. After switching agencies to Sublime in 2023, she slowly returned via variety shows like Heo Young Man’s Food Travel and now SNL Korea . While some viewers demand accountability, others advocate for her comeback: “If you don’t like her, block her name and move on. She’d excel in streaming-platform dramas” .
