Nearly eight years after the release of the noir action film Real, the controversy surrounding the late Sulli’s nude scene is making headlines once again—and this time, director Lee Jung Sub is speaking out.

On March 28, Lee took to his personal social media to clarify his role—or lack thereof—in the final version of Real, a 2017 film starring Kim Soo Hyun and Sulli. “I had absolutely zero responsibility for how that film turned out,” he stated bluntly, referencing the directorial change that occurred during post-production. “Someone brought up an old tweet of mine, probably because the actress is being talked about again. But let me be clear. Thank you. It’s been painful for a long time.”

This statement comes after Sulli’s older brother, Mr. Choi, publicly raised questions about the controversial bed scene in the film during a conversation with Kwon Young Chan, head of the Korea Entertainment Suicide Prevention Association. According to Choi, rumors circulated at Sulli’s funeral in 2019 that, while a body double had been arranged for the scene, she was allegedly present on set—contrary to explanations at the time that she was “too ill to appear.”

With growing public interest and lingering suspicions, Choi is now asking for transparency from Kim Soo Hyun’s camp and Lee Sa Rang, the director who took over the project in post-production (and incidentally, Kim Soo Hyun’s cousin). Among the questions raised:

• Was the explicit nature of the scene part of the original script?

• If a body double was on set, why wasn’t she used?

• Was Sulli pressured into filming the scene herself?

• What’s the truth behind claims that the body double was ill?

These are not just questions about one scene—they speak to broader concerns about consent, ethics, and how vulnerable actors, especially young women, are treated on set.

Real was originally helmed by Lee Jung Sub but later finished by Lee Sa Rang due to what was described as “creative differences.” However, Sulli’s brother and others believe the directorial switch—and what happened afterward—deserve more scrutiny.

Lee Jung Sub’s recent posts haven’t held back, either. In one particularly charged comment, he slammed Kim Soo Hyun’s handling of recent controversies, calling it “the same disgraceful tactic” and referring to the situation as “trauma XX.”

This all comes at a time when Kim Soo Hyun is under intense public scrutiny for a completely separate scandal. The actor is currently facing serious allegations of having dated the late actress Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor. While his agency initially denied the claims, they later walked back their statement after couple photos were released, saying the relationship started in 2019—after she turned 18.

With the Real controversy reignited, and public outrage mounting over Kim Soo Hyun’s alleged past relationships, both the entertainment industry and fans are left wondering: What really went on behind the scenes—and will we ever get the full truth?

As the industry reckons with long-buried issues, one thing is clear: transparency, accountability, and compassion for the departed are more important than ever.