Song Ha-yoon Bullying Case: Victim Reveals School Documents, Covers Own Expenses, and Accuses Media Manipulation

A victim speaks, documents unfold,
Song Ha-yoon’s past, the truth retold,
Justice or scandal—the story takes hold.

The controversy surrounding actress Song Ha-yoon (real name Kim Mi-sun) has once again stirred the South Korean public. After school bullying allegations first surfaced in 2024 through a JTBC report, the case has yet to reach a conclusion. Now, the person claiming to be the victim, Mr. A, has taken a major step by coming directly to Korea to participate in the investigation. He emphasized that all travel expenses were covered from his own pocket, while also releasing a lengthy statement on the forum Pannate that included a request for the disclosure of official documents related to Song Ha-yoon’s school years. This move has further intensified a case that has long been a topic of public debate.

Dispute Over Travel Expenses and Legal Action

One of the issues drawing the most public attention is the matter of Mr. A’s travel expenses to Korea. Previously, Song Ha-yoon’s side, through Ji-eum Law Firm, told the media that they would cover all expenses, including airfare, hotel accommodation, and transportation. That statement appeared to reflect an open attitude to ensure the legal process could proceed smoothly.

However, Mr. A strongly denied this claim. According to him, the offer was only a partial settlement with limited scope. He even stated that the losses he personally bore could be as much as six times greater than the amount offered by Song Ha-yoon’s side. The biggest point of contention was the issue of the rental car. Song Ha-yoon’s team considered it “personal use” and therefore not covered, while Mr. A insisted that such transportation was essential to protect his safety during the investigation.

Because of this difference in views, Mr. A chose to pay all expenses himself. He purchased a premium economy ticket with his own money, covered accommodation costs of up to 300,000 won for three nights, and paid for transportation while in Korea. He also stressed that all financial matters would be handled through legal channels.

In his statement, Mr. A emphasized that he never intended to turn this case into a spectacle. In fact, after releasing his third statement, he even offered a peaceful resolution to Song Ha-yoon’s side in the hope of ending the matter honorably. That offer was rejected, and so he ultimately pursued full legal action. He is now preparing a 10 billion won lawsuit for both direct and indirect damages, stressing that this case is not about personal revenge but about restoring justice and public interest.

Lengthy Pannate Post and Request for School Documents

The controversy escalated further on August 22, 2025, when Mr. A wrote a long post on the forum Pannate. The post included an official request to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education to disclose documents related to Song Ha-yoon’s alleged forced transfer from Banpo High School to Apgujeong High School in 2004.

Image translation

In the post, he listed the documents requested, including:

• Minutes of the Student Disciplinary Committee,
  
• Records from the School Violence Committee,
  
• Administrative approval documents regarding the transfer,
  
• NEIS computer logs showing the reason for transfer,
  
• Records of student disciplinary files, as well as any destruction records if they were disposed of.
  

According to Mr. A, the cost of obtaining these documents was only around 3,000 won, a very small sum compared to the ongoing public dispute about travel expenses. He emphasized that if Song Ha-yoon truly never engaged in school violence or was forced to transfer, then disclosing these records would be the fastest, clearest, and cheapest way to prove her innocence.

The post also addressed media accusations. Mr. A accused Song Ha-yoon’s side of twisting the facts by framing the narrative as though all expenses had been fully covered. In reality, he said, most of the burden fell on him. He stressed that he never asked for reimbursement and felt harmed by media reports that misrepresented the facts.

In that same post, he also stated that he had no legal obligation to immediately travel to Korea, yet he still chose to voluntarily cooperate with the investigation. Mr. A said he was prepared for a long legal process, emphasizing that his fight was not just personal but also about institutional transparency and legal fairness.

To read the full post, check the links below:

Official Documents, Leaked Emails, and the Direction of the Case

In addition to the Pannate post, several official documents and email excerpts were also made public. The documents submitted by Mr. A suggested that the Song Ha-yoon case was not only about bullying but also involved suspicions of a forced transfer due to disciplinary reasons. He stressed that these administrative records could strengthen his position in the ongoing investigation.

Meanwhile, leaked emails revealed an ambiguous stance from Song Ha-yoon’s side. On the one hand, they offered to provide airfare and accommodation for Mr. A’s return to Korea. On the other, the official note suggested that if travel costs were given to the accuser, it could be considered an unfair and unreasonable settlement, potentially complicating the investigation.

Translation:

“In addition, actor Song Ha-yoon will provide you with accommodation and airfare, and has suggested that you enter Korea and cooperate with the investigation.

In your 3rd official statement and a YouTube interview, you mentioned that you would enter Korea and comply with the investigation if your airfare and accommodation expenses were paid.

Although your action of demanding round-trip airfare and accommodation expenses as a suspect from the accuser is judged to be a very unreasonable attitude, for your swift entry and investigation, actor Song Ha-yoon has expressed her willingness to provide you with accommodation and airfare. Please actively cooperate with the investigation.”

In response, Mr. A stated that he preferred to cover his own expenses to avoid misunderstandings. Still, he made it clear that these losses would be pursued in court. He also added that he would involve administrative, legislative, judicial, and diplomatic institutions to ensure that the truth would be revealed.

The case originally began in April 2024 when JTBC’s Crime Chief aired a report about alleged bullying committed by Song Ha-yoon during her time at Banpo High School. Several former classmates supported the claims, pointing to a “forced transfer” as evidence. Song Ha-yoon strongly denied the allegations, admitting that she did transfer schools but insisting that the move to Gujeong High School had nothing to do with bullying.

The situation grew more complicated when Song Ha-yoon filed additional complaints against Mr. A for defamation, intimidation, and obstruction of business. In response, Mr. A announced that he would pursue legal action against both Song Ha-yoon and her representatives for spreading false information, defamation, and violations of legal ethics.

The case has once again triggered a wave of comments on Pannate, with many netizens openly voicing support for Mr. A, calling him brave for standing up to the system, and urging Song Ha-yoon to disclose the school documents that could clarify the controversy.

Not only on Pannate, but netizens on Instagram have also weighed in on the case—some showing support for the victim, while others urged caution until an official verdict is reached:

“Why didn’t the victim speak up during Fight for My Way?”

“Don’t jump to conclusions yet. Remember Lucas, Soojin, and Garam? Let’s not assume until it’s proven. If it turns out true, then we can speak up, but until then don’t spread hate.”

“Let’s just wait for the final verdict. Trauma like that is real—just like with Lucas, Soojin, and Garam.” 😂

“Be patient, let’s wait for clear evidence before we start shouting.”

“Bullying trauma lasts a lifetime. I still remember being bullied even now as an adult with kids. If the victim is real, I’ll support you no matter what.” 🔥

“That’s the terrifying impact of bullying. Victims take a long time to heal. Forgiving is hard, while bullies get away and become celebrities.”

“Already a bully, now playing victim again? 😂 Why not just apologize instead of worrying about your career? It shows on your face.”

“This case feels almost identical to Kim Garam of LE SSERAFIM.” 🙏

“If you want to sue, you should show up where the case is and pay the court fees. Now that he’s a foreign resident, maybe he’s avoiding it? Could be false claims, or maybe the artist is actually the victim. Remember how in Kim Garam’s case, she was accused and forced out, but later some claims turned out false.”

“What if this turns out untrue? That would mean spreading slander. Better to wait and see, guys.”

This wave of comments shows that the public is not merely observing but actively voicing solidarity. Many believe this case is no longer just about one actress—it reflects how the legal system treats victims and whether transparency and fairness can truly prevail.

Now, with Mr. A back in Korea, official documents being requested, and online voices growing louder, the public waits to see whether this move will bring clarity—or open yet another chapter in the long-running controversy surrounding Song Ha-yoon. What’s certain is that the case has expanded beyond the realm of entertainment, raising broader questions about transparency, justice, and institutional trust in South Korea.

Sources: pann.nate; Daum; SBS Entertainment