On July 20, a fan asked Ha Jung-woo to give her a nickname. Ha Jung-woo replied with the word “Choi-eum-je”, which translates to “aphrodisiac” in Korean—a term referring to substances that enhance sexual desire.
Mixed Reactions from the Public
The comment immediately drew attention and criticism. While the fan responded with “I love you”, others expressed discomfort, saying the joke crossed the line, especially considering it was directed at a female fan. One netizen wrote, “That’s a term for drugs that increase sexual desire. How could you say ‘I love you’ after hearing that?”
The comment was eventually deleted, but the incident had already sparked widespread discussion online. Some netizens condemned the comment, saying, “This isn’t witty—it’s offensive” and “That’s not something you say to a female fan.” Others defended the actor, arguing that it was just a joke, and that mistakes can happen during casual interactions.
Ha Jung-woo’s agency released an official statement on July 21: “We sincerely apologize to the individual who may have felt uncomfortable due to our artist’s social media activity.” They also stated that Ha personally reached out to the fan to apologize and promised to be more cautious with his words when communicating with fans in the future. However, some expressed disappointment, criticizing the apology as insincere and merely a public relations move.
A Reputation at Risk
Ha Jung-woo had built a positive image as a “comment master” on Instagram, known for clever and engaging replies to fan comments—often personalizing nicknames in a humorous way based on fans’ names. His unique fan communication style had previously been praised for its sincerity and charm.
However, the incident prompted netizens to revisit Ha’s past interactions with fans, revealing a pattern of crude nicknaming. Ha has previously responded to fans on Instagram by giving them nicknames based on their surnames: calling a fan with the surname “Byun” (변) “Toilet” (변기), someone named “Park” (박) was dubbed “Park Volume,” a fan with the surname “Sun” (선) was nicknamed “Sun’s mother,” and when asked to recommend a lunch menu, he responded with “Omurice.”
However, this latest comment has cast a shadow on his online persona, prompting many to question the boundaries of celebrity humor.
Upcoming Projects
Despite the backlash, Ha Jung-woo is set to return to television for the first time in 19 years, having confirmed his role in the upcoming tvN drama How to Become a Building Owner in Korea.
As the debate continues, fans and the general public are watching closely to see whether the actor will address the controversy further—or if time will allow the incident to fade from memory.
Daum
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