The K-pop world and musical theater scene are once again abuzz as veteran singer and musical actress Ock Joo Hyun has clarified her recent remarks about autotune while once again publicly mentioning fellow musical actor Kim Ho Young, reigniting discussion surrounding their long-running dispute.
Ock Joo Hyun Clarifies Autotune Stance
On July 17 KST, Ock addressed fans through the communication platform Bubble after her recent comments criticizing autotune drew widespread attention.
She explained that her remarks had been intended to address lip-syncing in musical theater, not singers.
“Everything I said was about musicals, so I was surprised that the issue spilled over to junior singers,” she wrote. “Autotune can be a tool for performance, and I use it as well.”
Ock stressed that, except in cases officially announced by a production, lip-syncing on stage amounts to deceiving audiences. She added that performers who rely on partial lip-syncing should feel a lasting sense of responsibility.
She also acknowledged that her earlier use of the phrase “anyone and everyone” had been overly harsh, while maintaining that her intention was to raise concerns about issues within the musical industry.
The Lingering Kim Ho Young Dispute Rekindled
However, despite her clarification on autotune, the biggest point of attention was her renewed reference to Kim Ho Young.
Ock wrote that she was still waiting for an explanation, saying it was time for Kim to clarify the situation if his past social media post was not directed at her. She also argued that the controversy had harmed the reputation of both a production company with a decade-long history and a younger performer who had joined through auditions, adding that she did not believe the matter should simply be forgotten.
Ock previously stated that she had never received an apology from Kim Ho Young and publicly asked him to explain the intent behind the social media post that fueled the 2022 “Ockjangpan” controversy if it had not been aimed at her.
Kim Ho Young’s Silence and Fan Reactions
Kim Ho Young has not publicly responded to her latest remarks. While he has remained active through entertainment appearances, including a recent YouTube video, he has not commented on the renewed controversy.
The exchange has prompted mixed reactions online. Some users expressed fatigue over the years-long dispute, commenting that the conflict should come to an end, while others argued that Ock’s frustration is understandable if she believes the issue remains unresolved and that Kim should directly clarify his position.
The dispute, which escalated into legal action in 2022 before the complaint was later withdrawn, appeared to have subsided. However, Ock Joo Hyun’s recent statements have brought the issue back into the spotlight, while Kim Ho Young continues to remain silent.
