Shim Eun Woo recently opened up about her struggles and future hopes after being officially cleared of school bullying accusations.
On July 5 (KST), the actress launched her official YouTube channel, ‘Shwim(Rest), Eun Woo,’ sharing a heartfelt video titled “It’s been five years,” marking her first direct message to fans 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 beginning of the video.
Introducing herself not only as an actress but also as an eighth-year yoga instructor, Shim Eun Woo revealed, “I haven’t had many acting roles lately. I took nearly five years off because of the school bullying controversy. After a long struggle, it was finally proven that the allegations were false.”
With tears in her eyes, she reflected on the difficult period: “Those years were tough for me personally, but they also taught me the importance of rest. I was surrounded by love and took time to reflect on myself, recognizing areas where I needed to grow.”
She added, “It wasn’t easy, but I endured it by sticking to my daily routine. I want to give back the love that I received. During this break, I only had one audition, but I hope to get another chance—not just to bring peace through rest but to show a better version of myself as an actress. I’ll keep working hard.”
Shim Eun Woo’s career came to a standstill in 2021 after an anonymous post accused her of bullying a middle school classmate. She initially denied the claims but later apologized if her past immature behavior had hurt anyone, which led many to believe she admitted guilt.
In 2023, she clarified that her apology was not an admission of wrongdoing but a response to a misunderstanding. Finally, in March 2025, her agency confirmed that a police investigation had cleared her of all allegations.
