Earlier in 2025, actor Park Sung Hoon, best known internationally for his role in Squid Game, was removed from the cast of the hit K-drama Bon Appétit, Your Majesty following controversy over an inappropriate Instagram post. The incident sparked widespread criticism, particularly from viewers who questioned his suitability for romance-focused projects.
At the time, many K-drama fans expressed strong opposition to Park appearing as a romantic male lead, arguing that scandals involving explicit content made it difficult for audiences to remain immersed in a love story. One widely shared comment read, “Stepping down was the right choice. Even if it was a mistake, this isn’t a crime thriller. If a rom-com male lead does something like that, viewers just can’t stay immersed.”
A Comeback Attempt in Another Romance Drama
After maintaining a relatively low profile for much of 2025, Park Sung Hoon is now set to return to television in Efficient Dating For Singles, a JTBC weekend drama adapted from a popular webtoon. The series is scheduled to premiere on February 28, 2026, following the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics.
In the drama, Park will portray Song Tae Seop, co-starring opposite Han Ji Min as Lee Ui Young. The production team described the project as a relatable romance aimed at viewers in their 20s and 30s, stating, “We hope this series can serve as a dating textbook for people seeking balance between work and love.”
Public Reaction Remains Largely Negative
Despite the new project’s concept and high-profile casting, public reaction has been overwhelmingly critical. Online forums and comment sections quickly filled with negative responses, with many viewers reiterating their discomfort with Park leading a romance drama.
Comments ranged from blunt disinterest “I don’t think I’ll be watching” to harsher criticism questioning why a romance audience, largely composed of women, should be expected to sympathize with or root for a male lead linked to such a controversy. While a minority of commenters argued that the backlash may be excessive compared to other scandals in the industry, others firmly rejected that notion, insisting the genre itself made the casting particularly inappropriate.
Several viewers also expressed disappointment on behalf of Han Ji Min, praising her while distancing themselves from the project as a whole.
Park Sung Hoon’s casting highlights the lingering impact of public perception in romance-driven K-dramas, where audience immersion and emotional investment are especially critical. Whether Efficient Dating For Singles can overcome the controversy and win over skeptical viewers remains to be seen, but early reactions suggest Park’s return to the romance genre will continue to face close scrutiny.
Sources: Naver, Theqoo
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