Has the star power of Jung Woo Sung finally dimmed? The veteran actor has recently found himself at the center of a firestorm first, over accusations of subpar acting in Disney+’s Made in Korea, and now, amid suspicion of orchestrated viral marketing campaigns.

Released in December 2025, Made in Korea stars Jung Woo Sung as elite prosecutor Jang Geon Young, caught in a battle between ambition and justice. With acclaimed director Woo Min Ho at the helm known for Inside Men, The Drug King, and The Man Standing Next expectations for the series were sky-high. The all-star cast, including Hyun Bin, Jung Woo Sung, Woo Do Hwan, Cho Yeo Jeong, Jung Sung Il, and Park Yong Woo, only added to the anticipation.

However, audience reception told a different story. Viewers criticized Jung Woo Sung’s performance, citing awkward line delivery and overacting that broke immersion. The disparity became even more apparent when compared to co-star Hyun Bin’s composed portrayal. The backlash was widespread across online communities, a rare fall from grace for the actor in his 32nd year since debuting in 1994’s The Fox with Nine Tails.

Interestingly, as criticism mounted, a wave of eerily similar praise for Jung’s performance began surfacing across Korean mom forums known for quickly spreading opinions. Posts featuring identical formats and screenshots from Made in Korea appeared on the same day, January 13, each praising his acting and dismissing earlier criticisms. The timing and uniformity of these posts have sparked speculation of deliberate viral marketing by the production team or Jung’s agency, Artist Company. While netizens compiled evidence questioning the authenticity of these posts, many of the threads were swiftly deleted.

This isn’t Jung Woo Sung’s first public controversy in recent years. In 2024, he was revealed to be the biological father of model Moon Ga Bi’s child, fueling headlines around an out-of-wedlock birth. He later registered a legal marriage with a non-celebrity partner, not Moon Ga Bi, in 2025.

Once hailed as an iconic leading man, Jung Woo Sung now faces criticism not just for his performance but for the perceived damage control efforts. As the conversation around Made in Korea continues, it remains to be seen whether his reputation can recover or if this marks a lasting dent in his legacy.

Sources: Nate