Recently, across online communities and social media,
claims have emerged that actress Kim Ji-ho
has been habitually underlining books
borrowed from public libraries,
sparking a major controversy.
In particular, since Kim Ji-ho has built an intellectual image
by frequently sharing photos of herself reading
on her Instagram account,
this controversy has drawn heated reactions
from two perspectives: public etiquette and celebrity image management.
The Library Book Underlining Controversy: What's the Problem?
It all started with a tip-off post on an online community.
The author of the post stated that they had borrowed a book
from a public library in Seoul, only to find
highlighter and ballpoint pen underlines
across multiple pages.
The issue was that Kim Ji-ho's name appeared
as a previous borrower on the book's checkout card,
and the controversy grew as additional reports
from other users with similar experiences followed.
According to the tipsters, the underlined books were not just one or two
but were found across numerous humanities and self-help titles,
leading to the use of the term "habitual" to describe the behavior.
• Multiple highlighter and ballpoint pen underlines found in library books
• Kim Ji-ho's name confirmed in previous borrower records
• Additional similar reports followed, raising suspicions of "habitual" behavior
• No official statement from her side as of yet
The Gap Between Her Instagram 'Intellectual Image' and Reality
What made this controversy go beyond simple book damage
and become an even bigger topic
was Kim Ji-ho's usual social media activity.
On her Instagram account,
Kim Ji-ho had consistently posted
photos of herself reading at cafes, pictures of her home library,
book reviews, and recommended reading lists.
Among fans, an image of her as a "book-loving actress"
and "intellectual actress" had naturally formed,
and some media outlets had even published articles
highlighting this image.
However, following this controversy, netizens have been pouring out criticism such as
"If you claim to love reading, why would you vandalize books that others will read too?"
and "Was the reading just for image management?"
Damaging Public Library Books: What Are the Legal Consequences?
Public library collections are shared national assets,
protected by the Library Act and each library's usage regulations.
Most public libraries prohibit
all forms of damage to borrowed materials through their usage policies,
including underlining, note-taking, page folding, and staining,
with possible penalties such as compensation or borrowing restrictions.
Furthermore, in cases of intentional and repeated damage,
it may constitute "destruction of public property,"
and under Article 366 of the Criminal Act on property damage,
offenders may face up to 3 years in prison
or a fine of up to 7 million won.
| Category | Details |
| Library Usage Regulation Violation | Compensation measures, borrowing suspension (up to 6 months) |
| Library Act, Article 43 | Restoration or compensation for damage to library materials |
| Criminal Act, Article 366 (Property Damage) | Up to 3 years in prison or fine up to 7 million won |
| Civil Liability for Damages | Claims for book value and administrative costs possible |
Of course, in reality, it is extremely rare
for criminal punishment to follow
from underlining library books.
However, in cases like this where public attention is focused
on a public figure's alleged habitual behavior,
the possibility of more proactive measures
depending on the library's response and public opinion
cannot be ruled out.
Netizen Reactions: "No Sense of Public Property" vs. "Excessive Witch Hunt"
Online opinion on this controversy is largely split into two camps.
From a critical standpoint, the prevailing view is that
since public library books are shared assets used by all patrons,
underlining them as if they were personal property
is a disregard for basic public etiquette.
In particular, criticisms such as
"She appears to cherish books on Instagram,
yet in reality she damages other people's books—a hypocritical attitude" are gaining traction,
along with the argument that
"if she truly loved reading,
she should treat books with even more care."
On the other hand, some voices are cautioning against excessive criticism.
Counterarguments have been raised, such as
"Underlining while reading is a habit that surprisingly many people do unconsciously—
isn't it a witch hunt to pile on someone excessively
just because they're a celebrity?"
There are also cautious opinions questioning whether
"borrowing records alone can definitively prove she made those marks."
However, the majority of public opinion is leaning toward
criticizing her social responsibility as a public figure
and her basic awareness of public property.
But library books don't belong to you alone.
Basic consideration for the next borrower is where public etiquette begins."
— From a librarian's social media post
Library Etiquette: An Issue We All Need to Reflect On
This controversy involving Kim Ji-ho has once again
heightened public awareness
about library usage etiquette.
According to the Korean Library Association,
tens of thousands of books in public libraries
across the country are damaged every year,
with underlining and note-writing being
the most frequently recorded types of damage.
It is particularly known that humanities titles
and bestsellers have higher rates of damage,
making it ironic that the more popular a genre is
among readers, the more severe this problem tends to be.
| Types of Library Book Damage | Percentage |
| Underlining, Notes, and Graffiti | Approx. 42% |
| Page Folding and Tearing | Approx. 28% |
| Food and Liquid Stains | Approx. 18% |
| Cover Damage and Other | Approx. 12% |
Underlining library books carries meaning
far beyond simply drawing a line on paper.
The next person who borrows that book
may find it difficult to read the text
from their own perspective because of the existing markings,
and one person's reading experience
can end up damaging another person's reading experience.
Public library collections are shared national assets
purchased with tax money,
and we need to remember once again
that each book is a public medium
that passes through the hands of dozens or hundreds of people,
transmitting knowledge along the way.
Kim Ji-ho's Response and Future Outlook
As of now, neither Kim Ji-ho herself
nor her agency has released
an official statement regarding this controversy.
However, after the controversy spread,
it was observed that some reading-related posts
on Kim Ji-ho's Instagram were deleted,
leading to speculation that she is aware of the situation.
Among entertainment industry insiders,
there is analysis suggesting that if an apology or explanation
is not issued soon,
the damage to her image could become prolonged.
Some have also advised that it would be best
for her to voluntarily compensate the library
and issue a formal apology.
When a gap is revealed between the image
a public figure has carefully built
and their actual behavior,
the disappointment felt by the public
is far greater than it would be for an ordinary person.
How Kim Ji-ho responds to this controversy
is expected to have a significant impact
on her future career.
• Official apology from her or her agency + compensation → Likely to calm public opinion
• Continued silence → Prolonged social media criticism, negative impact on broadcast appearances
• Legal action (defamation claims) → High risk of backlash, likely to worsen public opinion
• Image recovery through library donations or good deeds → Sincerity will be the key factor