Han So-hee's agency vowed to take legal measures against "malicious comments" targeting the actor and her boyfriend, Ryu Jun-yeol, amid rumors that Ryu has "rebounded" from his ex-girlfriend Hyeri.

“Han So-hee has been trying her best to understand and appreciate the attention from the public that comes from her profession as an actor,” Han's agency, 9ato Entertainment, said Monday in a statement.

“But she has been going through very hard times due to ungrounded assumptions and malicious comments that are gravely tormenting her, not only as an actor, but also, moreso, as a person.”

Online posts have been pouring in since last week, when online reports first claimed that Ryu had begun dating Han without ending his seven-year relationship with singer and actor Hyeri.

Hyeri uploaded an Instagram Story reading, “This is fun,” after news first broke, to which an emotional Han responded with her own Instagram Story refuting the rebound accusations.

Han further explained in a blog post on Saturday morning that she'd met Ryu for the first time last November — months after the actor's breakup with Hyeri, which is reported to have happened last June. Han included an apology for “reacting so emotionally” toward Hyeri and said that she was willing to apologize.

Han's blog and Instagram accounts were locked over the weekend.

Still, online users continue criticizing Han for her hasty and open reaction to a senior actor. Both were born in 1994, but Hyeri debuted in 2010 while Han began her career in 2017.

“We apologize once more for worrying everyone during the disclosure of the actor's relationship,” 9ato Entertainment said, promising to “guide the actor in the right direction” but also giving a firm warning to malicious commenters.

“We will take strong measures against anyone writing or spreading content that defames our artist's reputation, regardless of the gravity of the damage.”

Meanwhile, news outlets have reported that Ryu came back to Korea alone from Hawaii on Monday, where he was spotted with Han. The two were initially scheduled to fly back to Korea together, but Han now will make a separate trip on Tuesday, reports said.

Find out more about Ryu Jun-yeol and Han So-hee at Celeb Confirmed


BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]