Shim Eun Woo speaks out after being cleared of bullying allegations: “I hope I get another chance”

Shim Eun Woo has opened up about her struggles and hopes for the future after being officially cleared of school bullying allegations.

On July 5 (KST), the actress launched her official YouTube channel 'Shwim(Rest), Eun Woo' and posted a video titled ‘It’s been five years’, marking her first direct communication with the public in a long time.

"Hello, it's been a while. I'm a bit nervous and it feels strange to greet you like this again," she said at the start of the video.

Introducing herself as both an actress and an eighth-year yoga instructor, Shim Eun Woo shared, "I haven’t had many acting opportunities recently. I took about five years off due to the school bullying issue. But after a long battle, it was ultimately concluded that the allegations were not true."

Fighting back tears, she reflected on the past few years: "It was a difficult time for me personally, but I also came to understand what it means to rest. I was surrounded by love and took time to reflect on myself. I saw the areas where I had fallen short."

She continued, "It wasn’t easy, but I endured it. I tried to hold on to my daily routine. I’ve been thinking that I want to give back the love I’ve received." She added, "During my break, I only had one audition. I hope I’ll have another chance not just to offer peace through rest, but also to show a better side of myself as an actress. I’ll keep working hard."

Shim Eun Woo’s career came to a halt in 2021 after an anonymous post accused her of bullying a classmate in middle school. At the time, she denied the claims, but later issued an apology saying she was sorry if her immature behavior had caused any hurt. The apology led to widespread speculation that she had admitted to the allegations.

In 2023, she clarified that the apology was not an admission of guilt, but a response to a misunderstanding. Finally, in March 2025, her agency announced that a police investigation had concluded the allegations were false.

SEE ALSO: &TEAM wins first place with “Back to Life” + Powerful performance on November 7th’s 'Music Bank'!