Baseball Commentator Apologizes For Spreading False Rumors About T-ARA Jiyeon’s Divorce

Lee Kwang Gil, a KNN PowerFM commentator, has apologized for sparking divorce rumors of T-ARA member Jiyeon and her husband, baseball player Hwang Jae Gyun.

In a June 26 exclusive interview with Xports News, Lee made an apology for his remarks, saying that it was a misunderstanding on his part. The incident took place on June 25 during a live broadcast of the KBO League game between the Lotte Giants and the Kia Tigers. Commentator Lee Kwang Gil casually mentioned Hwang Jae Kyun’s supposed divorce, sparking immediate reactions.

LKG: Did you know Hwang Jae Kyun got divorced?

Caster: Is there an article about it?

LKG: I’ll tell you later. I heard it from the director. There’s a reason he’s been struggling during games. What can you do when things are chaotic at home?

Though Lee swiftly apologized after realizing they were live on air, the rumor spread like wildfire. The castor apologized during the next innings, letting people know it was just a rumor and not any official news. The damage, however, was done. So much so that Jiyeon had to temporarily suspend her YouTube activities and later, her former agency also put out an official response denying the rumors.

In his phone call with Xports News, commentator Lee said he heard it from somewhere that a newspaper had reported about the couple. “It was my mistake. I spoke without confirming it,” he confessed. Lee also added that he misunderstood the situation after seeing Hwang unable to perform at his best level, as previously, many players have struggled with the same thing due to family issues.

I felt sorry for him. I misunderstood. I thought (what I heard) was true. I should have confirmed it, but I made a mistake by just listening to others.

— Lee Kwang Gil

Lee also mentioned that he had called up Hwang to apologize for his mistake.

A single wrong word and the story I passed on caused a big issue. I didn’t know Hwang Jae Gyun and his wife well, but I caused them harm. I made the story spread in public. I apologized to him for talking about something that wasn’t confirmed.

— Lee Kwang Gil

“It’s my fault for recklessly judging and interfering with a family doing just fine,” Lee added.

Netizens have not taken this apology too well. Many felt that his speaking about another person’s family itself was an act of crossing a boundary and doing so on a live broadcast reflected very poorly on Lee’s character.