On June 10, Ahn posted an apology on her social media, stating, "Arriving late at the test center without fully understanding the exam regulations was entirely my fault." She added, "I sincerely apologize to the exam officials who responded strictly in accordance with the rules, as well as to the fellow test-takers who prepared for the exam while adhering to the established regulations."
She also explained, "At the time, I posted emotionally out of disappointment, but I later judged my behavior to be careless and deleted the post." She bowed her head, saying, "Through the criticism and feedback of many people, I have reflected on my shortcomings. I will act more cautiously in the future to ensure this does not happen again."
On the previous day, Ahn shared a story on her social media about how she visited a testing center for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), an internationally recognized English proficiency exam, but was unable to take the test after missing the entry deadline by just one minute.
At the time, she wrote, "I couldn't find the parking lot, so I circled a one-way street eight times before finally parking and arriving before the 9:00 AM exam." She continued, "But they told me I couldn't take the test because it was past 8:50 AM. The exam fee is 300,000 KRW. When I asked if they really couldn't let me in since I was already there, they replied, 'That's why you should have arrived earlier.'"
Expressing her frustration over being turned away by just one minute, Ahn commented on the staff's response, saying, "What they said is absolutely correct, but I cleared my entire schedule today just for this exam." She also tagged the official account of IDP, the exam's administrator, adding, "If only they had provided at least some parking information."
The exam Ahn was scheduled to take is IELTS (International English Language Testing System), an internationally recognized English proficiency test administered by IDP. IELTS assesses listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills, and is used to evaluate the English language proficiency of individuals who wish to study, immigrate, or work in English-speaking countries. According to the official IELTS regulations, candidates must complete the identity verification process and enter the testing room by 8:50 AM on the day of the exam. Entry is strictly prohibited after 8:50 AM, making it impossible to take the test.
Once the story became public, it sparked a heated debate among netizens. Some argued, "For an international exam, rules must be strictly applied to ensure fairness," and "Even a one-minute delay is still being late." On the other hand, others countered, "It is a shame they lacked the flexibility to turn away a candidate who arrived at the building over a mere one-minute difference," and "Can't she even express her disappointment on her personal social media?"
As the controversy continued to grow, Ahn immediately deleted the post and shared a formal apology to defuse the situation.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)