Amid the Success of 'The Haunted Palace,' Kim Ji-yeon is Fighting Back [Full Statement]

Actress Kim Ji-yeon, formerly known as Bona of the girl group WJSN, is taking a firm stand against online hate.

On May 12, her agency King Kong by Starship issued an official statement, revealing that “false information, malicious slander, and personal attacks against Kim Ji-yeon have been spreading indiscriminately through social media and online communities.”

The agency stressed, “This is a clear violation of the artist’s rights and dignity. We will respond firmly through legal channels and take strong legal action without any settlement or leniency.”

Kim Ji-yeon made her debut in 2016 as a member of WJSN, capturing public attention with her vocal talent and visuals. She quickly gained popularity through her performances on various stages.

Transitioning into acting, she dropped her stage name and began using her real name, appearing in dramas such as Girls’ Generation 1979, Record of Youth, Homemade Love Story, and Twenty-Five Twenty-One. Her stable acting skills have earned her positive reviews and helped establish her as a full-fledged actress.

Currently, Kim stars in the SBS Friday-Saturday drama The Haunted Palace as the shaman Yeori. The show tells the story of a mythical battle between Kang Cheol-yi, an imugi (Korean serpent spirit) trapped in the body of his first love Yoon Gap (played by Yook Sung-jae), and the monstrous Palcheok-gwi who threatens the royal family. Unlike most trendy dramas these days, The Haunted Palace is not based on a webtoon—it’s an original fantasy romance and has been well-received by viewers.

Hello, this is King Kong by Starship.

We have confirmed that false claims, malicious slander, and personal attacks related to our artist Kim Ji-yeon have been spreading across social media and online communities. Such acts are illegal and clearly infringe on the artist’s honor and character. We will take strong legal action based on legal procedures without any settlement or leniency.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and do our utmost to protect our artist from further harm.

Thank you for your continued support and love for our artists.

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