Kim Min-jong explains why he dropped defamation complaint against MC Mong: 'I wanted peace of mind'

Actor Kim Min-jong has explained why he withdrew a defamation complaint he had filed against singer MC Mong.

The episode of SBS variety program My Little Old Boy that aired Sunday featured a glimpse into Kim's daily life.

That day, Kim invited fellow cast members Lee Jong-hyuk and Yoon Min-soo to his home in Yangpyeong.

During the visit, Yoon Min-soo brought up the recent conflict between Kim and MC Mong, saying, "You went through something upsetting not long ago."

Earlier, MC Mong had claimed during a live broadcast in May that an illegal gambling ring involving celebrities existed and named Kim as one of its members. Kim's side filed a complaint with police against MC Mong on charges of defamation through the spread of false information.

Four months after making the allegations, MC Mong met Kim in person last month to apologize and also admitted wrongdoing through a live broadcast. Kim's side accepted the apology and withdrew the complaint.

Reflecting on the episode, Kim said, "The apology felt sincere, and I thought there was nothing more to gain by pushing further. I did it to find peace of mind."

He also revealed that the fallout from the incident had disrupted his work. Kim said he had been dropped from a film he was set to appear in and that another actor had been cast in his place, expressing regret over the loss.

"It seems the film and I were not meant to be. It was a good role," Kim said. "The director had been preparing for three years, so it was even harder on him." He added, "My mental state was all over the place at the time, but looking back now, things have settled. What's past is past — what matters is what comes next, and I plan to focus on my daily life and work."