[Captured from Yang Hong-won's social media]
[Captured from Yang Hong-won's social media]

The person who raised infidelity allegations against rapper Yang Hong-won has stepped in front of a camera to explain the background of the disclosure — saying the decision was driven by a money dispute and the response from Yang's agency, while admitting uncertainty about whether an actual affair took place.

The person, identified only as A, gave a video interview to YouTube channel Gray News on Thursday afternoon, detailing the circumstances surrounding the allegations.

On Friday, A had alleged that Yang visited a motel with another woman after drinking with her. The disclosure drew controversy after A publicly revealed the face and personal details of the woman believed to have accompanied Yang to the motel.

In the interview, A described Yang as "a friend I used to hang out with when we were young" and cited a money dispute and the agency's response as the reasons for coming forward.

"I was in urgent need of money and Yang Hong-won was the friend who came to mind. I asked if he could lend me 300,000 won ($225), and his response was just unbelievable," A said.

A said the agency then reached out, and that a lawyer "put me down quite a lot," which proved to be the tipping point. "I didn't need the money anymore. I thought, you provoked me like that, so I'll show you — that's why I posted it," A said.

A said there was no intention to gain fame or any other benefit from the disclosure. "I feel like I've received all the criticism I'll ever get in my life," A said. "I never thought things would blow up this much."

On whether Yang actually had an affair, A stopped short of a firm conclusion. "Honestly, I'm not sure it went as far as an affair — I didn't see anything like that happen," A said. A did say, however, that Yang and the woman were seen drinking together at A's home before leaving together for a motel.

A also acknowledged behaving inappropriately toward the woman identified as Yang's alleged partner. "I did say and do some things to her that I shouldn't have — that part was clearly wrong," A said, adding a desire to apologize but noting that a restraining order makes contact impossible.

A also expressed remorse toward Yang, Yang's wife Won Hyeon-ju and their daughter. "I truly never thought things would get this big. I'm so sorry," A said.

A added: "I don't have Ripley syndrome. Somehow things got to this point and everyone is criticizing me, but I just want people to know I'm not someone who acts recklessly."

Earlier, A had posted on social media on Friday alleging that Yang visited a motel with another woman before the couple's wedding, raising the infidelity allegations.

In response, Yang's agency AP Alchemy acknowledged that Yang had gone to the motel with the woman but rebuffed any suggestion of a romantic encounter between the two.

The agency also said the person who made the disclosure "threatened Yang Hong-won and the victim in an attempt to extort money," adding that both Yang and the woman have each filed complaints against A on charges of blackmail, violation of the stalking punishment act and defamation through false statements.


bbo@heraldcorp.com