Shim Eun-woo Denies School Violence Allegations and Expresses Health Concerns

Actress Shim Eun-woo has once again denied allegations of school violence while expressing her deteriorating health. On March 21, her representatives stated, "During the investigation, clear evidence emerged proving that Shim Eun-woo is not the perpetrator of school violence, as noted in the investigation results. The individual involved in the incident claimed by A is someone else. Although it is difficult to punish A, we obtained a significant outcome indicating that it is hard to confirm whether school violence occurred."

Shim Eun-woo gained attention for her role in the drama 'The World of the Married' but found herself embroiled in controversy in March 2021 when an anonymous post accused her of bullying during middle school. The author, referred to as A, claimed, "I was bullied in the first year of middle school because of Shim Eun-woo (Park So-ri)." In response, her agency refuted A's claims, stating, "While it is true that Shim Eun-woo had a poor relationship with the author, there was never any physical violence or behavior that could be socially problematic."

A later countered in an interview, questioning why Shim Eun-woo asked for her friend's number and apologized to her sister if it was just a simple dispute, claiming to have recorded evidence. Shim Eun-woo then expressed remorse, acknowledging that her immature actions in school had caused emotional pain to a friend.

Following these allegations, Shim Eun-woo entered a period of self-reflection. In March 2023, she revealed, "Initially, I had no idea who wrote the post, and I learned about it through a friend's contact. My agency and I could not acknowledge something we did not remember, so we denied it, which unintentionally led to a battle over the truth. I met with the friend and her sister with the PD of 'Fly Butterfly' and apologized, and my posting an apology on social media was interpreted as an admission of school violence."

Shim Eun-woo filed a criminal complaint against A for defamation of character. After an eight-month investigation, the police concluded that A would not be charged. Her agency explained, "For defamation to be established, it must be proven that A wrote the post knowing it was false. However, A continues to believe that Shim Eun-woo is the perpetrator, and intent could not be recognized, leading to a decision of insufficient evidence for prosecution."

The agency emphasized that Shim Eun-woo has lost her lifelong dream of being an actress and continues to suffer from excessive online harassment and ridicule. Despite ongoing psychological counseling, she still experiences chest pain and discomfort, and her health has significantly worsened, even developing tics. The emotional toll on her family is also described as immense.

In a detailed timeline, it was noted that A repeatedly modified the original post, which initially stated there was no physical violence, later adding claims of assault. A's father even requested a statement from a teacher, who denied ever writing one. A's demands shifted from seeking an apology to requesting monetary compensation, which Shim Eun-woo refused, instead asking for a re-investigation.

The agency reiterated that the decision not to prosecute does not imply that school violence was acknowledged but rather that it was difficult to determine if it occurred. They hope to clear Shim Eun-woo's name and prevent further distortion of her past.

Shim Eun-woo's situation highlights the severe impact of false allegations and the ongoing struggle for her to reclaim her life and career.