Long-standing rumors of a falling out between actress-singer Son Dam-bi (손담비) and her former close friends Gong Hyo-jin (공효진) and Jung Ryeo-won (정려원) have resurfaced. Several articles on Korean online platforms analyzing the trio's changing relationship have recently been restricted from public view, once again bringing years of speculation about their friendship to the forefront.
Recently, numerous articles on platforms like Naver blogs discussing the evolving relationship between Son Dam-bi, Gong Hyo-jin, and Jung Ryeo-won suddenly became inaccessible. Pages displayed a notice stating, "Public access temporarily suspended due to a complaint of rights infringement (defamation)." However, as of now, it remains unconfirmed who filed the complaint.
This incident has garnered significant attention because Son Dam-bi, Gong Hyo-jin, and Jung Ryeo-won were once recognized as a "close-knit trio" in the Korean entertainment industry. The three frequently shared photos of their travels and meals together on social media, and in 2020, they even appeared on MBC's "I Live Alone" (나 혼자 산다), showcasing their deep bond. At the time, Son Dam-bi described Jung Ryeo-won as "a friend and also love," highlighting their extraordinary affection.
However, public scrutiny of their friendship began after Son Dam-bi's wedding in May 2022. She married former national speed skater Lee Kyou-hyuk (이규혁) after only five months of dating, but neither Gong Hyo-jin nor Jung Ryeo-won, who were considered her closest friends, attended the ceremony. This absence quickly fueled rumors of a "friendship rift."
At the time, Jung Ryeo-won's agency explained that she was filming a drama out of town and thus unable to attend. After the wedding, Son Dam-bi herself posted a clarification: "There are really too many absurd claims that are completely untrue. I hope everyone doesn't misunderstand." She directly denied any falling out with her friends.
Furthermore, Gong Hyo-jin was seen liking Son Dam-bi's wedding post, seemingly attempting to quell external speculation, but the related rumors never ceased.
Unexpectedly, in the same year, when Gong Hyo-jin held her wedding with singer Kevin Oh in New York, Jung Ryeo-won quietly attended to offer congratulations, but there was no news of Son Dam-bi's presence, reigniting the "rift rumors."
Since then, the three have not been seen together publicly. When Son Dam-bi mentions "close friends" on shows or social media, she rarely includes Gong Hyo-jin or Jung Ryeo-won. Consequently, rumors of the "former best friends having lost touch" are periodically brought up and discussed by netizens.
Now, Son Dam-bi is married and has a daughter, embarking on a new family life, yet her past relationships continue to be scrutinized. The recent restriction of related articles has not only failed to calm the situation but has instead brought renewed attention to the "friendship rift rumors" that were gradually fading from memory.
In fact, from the public announcement of their relationship to their marriage, Son Dam-bi and Lee Kyou-hyuk were not well-received by some Korean netizens due to Lee Kyou-hyuk's history of controversies. Lee Kyou-hyuk was accused of attempted sexual assault against a foreign female athlete during an overseas competition in 1994. The incident resurfaced years later in 2017 during the "Choi Soon-sil (최순실) scandal." Due to Lee Kyou-hyuk's close ties with Choi Soon-sil, a confidante of former President Park Geun-hye (박근혜), he was also suspected of involvement in illicit dealings. Regarding the old case, he responded at the time that the incident occurred in his youth, was a mistake made under the influence of alcohol, and denied forcing sexual relations.
While these controversies had not fully subsided, an even greater scandal erupted involving Son Dam-bi's in-laws after her marriage. In 2022, Lee Kyou-hyuk's younger brother, Lee Kyou-hyun (이규현), Son Dam-bi's brother-in-law, was indicted on charges including attempted sexual assault of a minor student, sexual harassment, and illegal filming. He was ultimately sentenced to four years in prison by the court.
After the news broke, not only was Lee Kyou-hyun heavily criticized by Korean public opinion, but Son Dam-bi was also once again swept into the storm, enduring a barrage of malicious comments. She was even mocked by some netizens as having "married into a family of sex offenders," and her married life has continued to receive significant public attention as a result.
