Lee Min-jung stirs controversy as photo showed her carrying luxury handbag at church altar in Venice
South Korean actress Lee Min-jung stirred controversy after posting a photo that showed her with a luxury handbag at a church altar in Venice.
The Korea Times reported that Lee visited the Italian city to support her husband, Lee Byung-hun, who's starring in No Other Choice, an entry in the main category of the Venice International Film Festival.
She was with the film's lead actress, Son Ye-jin, exploring the city and attending the festival.
But Lee drew criticism after her Instagram post, where she was posing in front of an altar while holding a luxury handbag. A crucifix can be seen in the background.
Some critics said, “It could be shocking and offensive to Catholic believers,” and “Using a holy place as a backdrop to highlight a handbag is disrespectful," according to the Times.
But others cut Lee some slack in the comments section of her post.
"No need to apologize, everyone is taking pictures at the altar of church... And you are wonderful, love you," one user said.
"Nothing's wrong with taking the photo at the altar or any locations with cross of Jesus there, as long as it is not a service/worship/mass moment. Except [if] that place has its own rules to prohibit taking the photo or video," another user said.
In her post's edited caption, Son explained that they weren't in a cathedral but a "hotel-style event hall and restaurant that preserves the walls of a centuries-old cathedral," according to an English translation provided by Google Translate.
"I'm a Christian, not a Catholic, but I apologize if I made you uncomfortable by going up to the altar and taking pictures!!!" she said. "I'll be more careful in the future!!!!"
Son didn't comment on the issue.
Lee began her career as a stage actress before appearing in supporting roles on television. She rose to fame in Boys Over Flowers as Ha Jae-kyung, the fiancée of F4 leader Jun-pyo. Lee also starred in Smile, You, Cyrano Agency, Wonderful Radio, Big, Cunning Single Lady, Come Back Mister, and Once Again.
