Seo Yea-ji in Talks to Lead K-Drama Forest of Humans, Her First Since Kim Jung-hyun Controversy

Actress Seo Yea-ji is set to return to the small screen as the lead in the upcoming drama Forest of Humans (Korean title: 인간의 숲), according to a report by SPOTV News on May 8.

The new series is an adaptation of a popular horror webtoon that earned a cult following during its original run. Despite being rated 19+ (adults only), the webtoon maintained high ratings and was widely praised for its chilling atmosphere and gripping storyline.

If confirmed, this will mark Seo Yea-ji’s first major acting role in three years, following her appearance in the 2022 drama Eve. Since signing an exclusive contract with Sublime in June 2023, she has slowly begun resuming public activities, including a recent appearance on SNL Korea, signaling her return to full-scale promotions.

Industry watchers are eager to see what new side of Seo Yea-ji she will showcase through this bold and dark genre, especially as this project could reignite her presence in the acting scene.

The series is currently in discussions for release on an OTT platform, although specific distribution details have yet to be finalized.

Background: The 2021 Kim Jung-hyun Controversy & Seo Yea-ji's Downfall

In April 2021, actress Seo Yea-ji became embroiled in a public controversy following reports that she had allegedly influenced actor Kim Jung-hyun’s unprofessional behavior on the set of the 2018 drama Time. At the time, Kim was widely criticized for his cold attitude toward co-star Seohyun of Girls’ Generation—most notably for refusing to participate in any physical contact or romantic scenes, and later abruptly exiting the drama mid-production, citing health concerns.

Dispatch later released a series of text messages allegedly exchanged between Kim Jung-hyun and Seo Yea-ji during the drama’s filming. The messages suggested that Seo had pressured Kim to avoid intimate scenes, to behave “cold” on set, and to “strictly manage” his interactions with female staff and cast members. This led to accusations of emotional manipulation and gaslighting, prompting massive backlash against Seo Yea-ji across Korean media and online forums.

In the wake of the reports:

Kim Jung-hyun issued a public apology to the cast and crew of Time.

Seo Yea-ji’s agency at the time denied the allegations, claiming the messages were taken out of context and that both parties were in a mutual relationship.

Despite the denial, Seo Yea-ji faced intense scrutiny and withdrew from several projects, including the drama Island. Her public activities were put on hold.

The incident significantly impacted her career for over two years, until her recent re-emergence in 2023 through a new agency (Sublime) and her appearance on SNL Korea, signaling the beginning of a careful comeback.

Ahead of her anticipated drama return, Seo Yea-ji made headlines with her recent appearance on SNL Korea Season 7, which aired on April 12 via Coupang Play. Known for her intense and mysterious roles, Seo surprised viewers by leaning fully into self-parody and bold physical comedy, revealing a previously unseen, humorous side of herself.

In the sketch show, she played exaggerated versions of her most iconic on-screen personas—complete with dramatic close-ups, meta-humor, and playful digs at her own reputation for cold, elegant characters. From action-packed spoofs to witty celebrity impersonations, Seo’s SNL episode was a clear signal: she’s not just returning to the spotlight, but she’s doing it on her own terms.

With SNL Korea, a new agency, and a possible lead role in Forest of Humans, Seo Yea-ji appears poised for a carefully crafted comeback—blending self-awareness, versatility, and undeniable screen presence.

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