4 Korean Actors Who Faced Immense Criticism From Netizens This Year

Netizens can be quite critical of Korean celebrities, and Korean actors are no exception. This year, there have been lots of Korean actors who faced immense criticism from netizens. Here are 4 of these Korean actors.

1. Jang Mi In Ae

On her Instagram, Jang Mi In Ae made a post showing her disapproval of President Moon Jae In‘s urgent disaster support policy that would provide financial aid to low-income families.

This is so annoying. Korea doesn’t have that kind of money. You gave our land away to someone else, too, didn’t you? Are you really a government that saves the citizens? What’s the worth of that 1 million won? Whenever I see the news, I go crazy with rage.

— Jang Mi In Ae

After she made this post, Jang Mi In Ae received a lot of backlash from netizens. However, she made another post and didn’t back down from her original statement.

Freedom of speech. #HellJoseon. I’m going to live my life while taking advantage of my human rights. This is my life. These times might be harder than IMF, but I’m going to work even harder so that I can withstand it.

— Jang Mi In Ae

The criticism continued, and Jang Mi In Ae soon announced that she was going to retire from being an actress.

In light of the entire world going through this crisis, why are Koreans suddenly having a hard time? I didn’t understand why they’re suddenly giving citizens support from taxpayers’ money when it’s not even going to make a difference. After this, taxes will just go up, and I couldn’t keep my frustration to myself, which is why I uploaded that post. I don’t understand why Korea is doing this ahead of the general election. I’m just going to go my way. I didn’t know political remarks can be so sensitive and how much hate I could get as a result. I’m so sick of this. And to those who asked me if I donate, I do as much as I can. I’ve donated as much as I could given my finances. I feel foolish for worrying about my fellow citizens. I will no longer be active in Korea as an actress.

— Jang Mi In Ae

2. Lee Kyung Young

Lee Kyung Young was a cast member of the K-Drama The World of The Married, and he got boycotted by a lot of netizens because of his past.

Back in 2002, Lee Kyung Young was arrested for the prostitution of a minor. The public records of trials revealed that he had told an underage actress that he would secure a role for her in one of his future movies in exchange for having sex with him. Lee Kyung Young was soon sentenced to a suspended 10 months of prison with two years of probation, in addition to 160 hours of community service.

Due to this, a lot of netizens voiced how uncomfortable they were watching Lee Kyung Young on The World of The Married.

“Do Korean drama producers not know how to shoot a series without Lee Kyung Young or something? What, is he so affordable that he absolutely must be cast or something? What the f*ck is the reason?”

“Every time Lee Kyung Young is on camera, I lose focus… You know, I bet he has dirty intentions toward that young actress who plays his daughter in the show. I can sense it. It’s disgusting. Why do I have to keep seeing this criminal’s face on TV? I don’t want to see him anymore, he’s filthy. And it’s not like his acting is any good. Who keeps casting him? Is it because the production team is as nasty as Lee Kyung Young himself?”

— Netizens

3. Park Si Hoo

During the press conference for the K-Drama The Wind, Cloud, And Rain, Park Si Hoo made a comment that didn’t sit well with a lot of netizens. The cast members were asked if there was a scene from the show that viewers should anticipate, and Park Si Hoo stated that there was a scene where Go Sung Hee “revealed some skin“.

It’s racy and sexy — and definitely something to look forward to.

— Park Si Hoo

Go Sung Hee

Netizens criticized Park Si Hoo, saying that his comment was rude, inappropriate, and even “sexually harassing” the actress. Also, Park Si Hoo was involved in an alleged rape scandal in 2013, which made netizens even more upset about his comment.

4. Son Seung Won

In 2019, Son Seung Won was caught driving under the influence of alcohol and driving without a license. Not only that, but he also attempted to flee the scene of the crime. He was soon sentenced to 18 months in prison.

He was released from prison in 2020, and he made his “return” by posting a picture to Instagram, which has now been deleted. When he posted this picture, a lot of netizens were unhappy.

“Instagram right after he gets out [of prison]…”

“Wow, he wasn’t on probation but actually in prison?”

“Ohh, so you go to prison so you can’t go to the military, how nice~ and you’ve been on TV a couple of times but now your image is completely washed away and buried, fuck you.”

“Don’t know who he is but he can’t forget about Instagram ㅋㅋㅋㅋ”

“ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ what an attention whore, going on Instagram to celebrate his release. You’ve just lived a life where you got exempted from the military”

“Celebrating his prison release by going on Instagram? What a mentality.”

— Netizens