Park Sung Hoon's Romance K-Drama Comeback Reignites Backlash After 2025 Scandal
'Squid Game' actor Park Sung Hoon is making his K-Drama comeback in the JTBC romance 'Efficient Dating For Singles' after a 2025 scandal. His return has reignited backlash from viewers who question his suitability for the genre.
Nearly a year after stepping down from a romance K-Drama due to a social media scandal, actor is making a controversial return to the genre, sparking a fierce debate among viewers over his suitability as a romantic lead.
A Controversial Return in New JTBC Drama
On December 23, broadcaster announced that will star alongside actress in the upcoming weekend K-Drama, . Based on a webtoon of the same name, the series is scheduled to premiere on , following the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics.
According to the production team, the show aims to be a "dating textbook for people in their 20s and 30s looking for balance between work and love." However, the casting news immediately reminded the public of the controversy, where Park shared an adult film (AV) parody of on his Instagram. The ensuing backlash led to his removal from the drama , with fans arguing that "viewers can’t stay immersed" in a romance with a male lead involved in a "scandal involving porn."
Audience Divided: "Overreaction" or Justified Criticism?
The announcement has drawn a fresh wave of criticism. Online comments included, "Ew. Literally who is waiting for his romance?" and "Who would want to watch a romance starring a man who posts stuff like that?" Many believe the reaction is justified, with one user noting, "Since it’s a ‘romance’ genre mainly watched by women, I understand the reactions."
However, a counter-argument has also emerged, suggesting the public response is disproportionate. "I honestly think people are overreacting," one comment reads. "I don’t know if it’s something serious enough to warrant being banned from broadcasts. Even people who’ve had DUI or drug scandals are still active." As the debate continues, it remains to be seen if 's performance can overcome the public's reservations.
This content is AI-generated based on source articles. While we strive for accuracy, errors may occur. We recommend verifying with the original source.
Related Articles
tvN's 'Siren's Kiss' wrapped with a 4.5% rating, topping all cable channels. But in an era of streaming fragmentation, what does a cable No. 1 actually tell us about K-drama's future?
Coupang Play's Absolute Value of Romance stars Kim Hyang-gi as a BL web novelist whose fictional crush walks into real life — with Cha Hak-yeon in tow. Here's why this drama matters beyond the butterflies.
Disney+'s upcoming Korean thriller 'Gold Land' reveals Kim Hee Won as a corrupt cop who chooses survival over justice — opposite Park Bo Young's airport security officer.
Netflix confirms Park Hyung Sik and Park Gyu Young for new office romance "Fall in! Love." What does this casting tell us about how Netflix is playing the K-drama game?
tvN's 'Siren's Kiss' wrapped with a 4.5% rating, topping all cable channels. But in an era of streaming fragmentation, what does a cable No. 1 actually tell us about K-drama's future?
Coupang Play's Absolute Value of Romance stars Kim Hyang-gi as a BL web novelist whose fictional crush walks into real life — with Cha Hak-yeon in tow. Here's why this drama matters beyond the butterflies.
Disney+'s upcoming Korean thriller 'Gold Land' reveals Kim Hee Won as a corrupt cop who chooses survival over justice — opposite Park Bo Young's airport security officer.
Netflix confirms Park Hyung Sik and Park Gyu Young for new office romance "Fall in! Love." What does this casting tell us about how Netflix is playing the K-drama game?
Thoughts
Share your thoughts on this article
Sign in to join the conversation