“Where Does This Celebrity Privilege Come From?” Neighbor Calls Out Actor Ki Eun-se Over Pyeongchang-dong House Construction

Actor Ki Eun-se has found herself at the center of a controversy after causing inconvenience to local residents during the remodeling of her detached house in Pyeongchang-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

The issue gained traction after a netizen, claiming to be a family member of a Pyeongchang-dong resident, shared their experience on an online community.

The author, who resides in the US and recently visited Korea, claimed they felt distressed after seeing the construction site of Ki Eun-se’s home near where their parents live.

“The alley in front of the house has been occupied by construction vehicles for months, making it difficult for even a single car to pass,” the author, referred to as A, complained. They added, “The area is full of construction waste and dust, and the neighborhood isn’t being cleaned properly. They first said it would be finished by mid-April, but now they’re saying mid-May, or that they don’t even know when it will end.”

A further questioned, “It seems they are trying to brush off this uncomfortable situation just because she is a celebrity. Where does this sense of privilege come from, thinking that the sacrifice of neighbors is natural?”

A pointed out, “I wonder if one should have basic common sense and courtesy toward neighbors before building a fancy house. Just because my parents are staying quiet doesn’t mean their suffering is acceptable.”

As the controversy grew, Ki Eun-se’s team reportedly took immediate action.

A posted an update stating, “I received an apology message from a representative of Ki Eun-se’s side and a promise to improve the parking and waste issues by visiting the site,” indicating the situation has been settled. A added, “I hope the construction is completed well with mutual consideration, without any further conflict.”

Ki Eun-se previously revealed on her personal YouTube channel in March that she was building a house in Pyeongchang-dong. At the time, she mentioned, “The construction team says it’s like building a brand new house. It’s taking much longer than expected, and since I’m replacing old facilities, the costs have risen more than I anticipated, which is quite stressful.” Last month, she shared a stunning mountain view on social media, writing, “I’m so excited to think I’ll see this scenery every morning.”

Meanwhile, Pyeongchang-dong in Jongno-gu is one of Seoul’s most prestigious neighborhoods, home to stars like Lee Hyori and Lee Sang-soon, Hong Jin-kyung, Seo Taiji, and Youn Yuh-jung.

Ki Eun-se debuted in 2006 through the KBS drama ‘Invisible Man Choi Jang-soo’ and starred in films such as ‘A World Without Women’ and ‘Family Glory: Returns’. She married a Korean-American businessman in 2012 but divorced in 2023.