The kissing Ukrainian reporter who received a smack from Will Smith reached out to the actor via a video interview to apologize.

We recently reported that Vitalii Sediuk, a journalist known for kissing celebrities, attempted to kiss the Fresh Prince in the mouth at a Moscow premiere of Men in Black 3 and received a backhand to his cheek instead. Seduik talked to the web site HipHollywood.com to explain his actions and to apologize to Smith.

"I do apologize for my behavior… ,” he said. “I think it was too much."

In telling his side of the incident, Seduik explained: "Will Smith is a person who I deeply respect as an actor. When I met him in Moscow, I wanted to do something to impress him."

Seems the kiss was an attempt at trying out a custom on his idol. "We have a Slavic tradition ..." Sediuk said. "I don't kiss every man or woman when I see them in the street ... but that time I decided to do that."

But seeing the result of his social faux pas, the kissing journalist concluded: "Next time, if I meet him, I'll just shake his hand."

Since the slap, Smith has gone on Late Night with David Letterman where he jokingly explained to the show’s host why he popped the reporter, declaring:  “It’s just awkward, Dave.”

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(Photo: Courtesy ABC News)