Desecrating A Memorial Site? — Popular Star Responds To Grave Accusations Over Wedding Photos

Popular model-influencer Choi Jun Hee, the daughter of late actress Choi Jin Sil, has stirred up a controversy with her wedding photos.

On February 16, KST, Choi announced her marriage to her non-celebrity fiancé, who is 11 years her senior.

Shortly after this announcement, her pre-wedding photos surfaced online, many of which were taken in Tokyo, Japan. Some of them had the statues resembling “Mizuko Jizo,” the Japanese stone statues of the Bodhisattva Jizo, in the background. These stone statues are usually placed in temples and cemeteries as part of a traditional memorial ceremony to guard the souls of children who died before birth or in early childhood due to miscarriage or stillbirth.

Given the significance of these statues, many netizens were divided about the photos. Some commenters felt that clicking wedding pictures at a possible memorial site was insensitive on the couple’s part. Others defended them, arguing that it was possible an oversight by the photographer who usually selects locations for such photoshoots.

Popular Star’s “Chilling” Wedding Photos Trigger Controversy

As the controversy grew, Choi Jun Hee responded to a comment revealing that the locations were selected by a Korean photographer who frequently works in Japan, and she was unaware of the site’s significance. She also provided screenshots of her conversation with the photographer, proving her innocence.

Choi: How is the weather going to be by the time of our visit? Since it’ll be the end of March…

Photographer: Apparently, it’s warm now. I talked to my brother, who lives in Tokyo, yesterday.

Choi: Wow! Exciting!

Photographer: I will organize the shooting route and local information and send it to you within this week.

Choi: Alright!

Photographer: Okay!

— The conversation above

When some suggested that she delete the picture to avoid causing further harm, Choi claimed that she never even posted them in the first place, adding that they leaked without her permission.

That photo was never officially released in the first place. It’s just one of the photos a reporter took and used without permission. I’ve done more than nine sponsored wedding shoots. How could I have recognized the meaning of just that one photo? I truly had no idea

— Choi Jun Hee

After providing the context, Choi also offered a sincere apology, stating, “As someone obsessed with the US, I had no knowledge of Japanese culture. I apologize.”

Meanwhile, Choi Jun Hee is set to marry her fiancé at a hotel in Gangnam on May 16. Netizens have sent her heartfelt blessings, noting that despite having a traumatizingly public childhood and the many challenges she faced in the past, her approach toward marriage has reflected astounding maturity.