Actor Park Sung-hoon is reportedly set to return to the small screen with a fresh romantic comedy titled “Efficient Dating of Single Men and Women” (tentative title), according to a March 26 exclusive from SPOTV News. The project marks his potential comeback after a turbulent period in the spotlight.
The upcoming drama is based on a webtoon and focuses on modern-day singles who prioritize efficiency in love. It explores the romantic dynamics of people who find that love alone isn’t enough, but basing relationships solely on conditions leaves something to be desired. Park Sung-hoon is currently in talks for the male lead role, while Han Ji-min, who recently finished her work in “Love Scout,” has been offered the female lead and is positively reviewing the script.
If both actors confirm their roles, this would mark their first romantic pairing on screen, and a special one at that, considering both belong to the same agency. The chemistry between them is already drawing attention and fueling anticipation among fans.
This new project also represents a significant turning point for Park Sung-hoon, who earlier this year generated buzz through his role in Netflix’s highly anticipated “Squid Game Season 2.” However, his momentum was abruptly interrupted when he accidentally uploaded explicit adult content to his personal social media account. The incident led to widespread backlash, prompting Park to issue multiple public apologies, including an emotional interview where he broke down in tears.
Despite his efforts to make amends, the controversy didn’t subside easily. Park eventually stepped down from his next scheduled project, “The Tyrant’s Chef,” after discussions with the production team. They later released a statement explaining that although Park had expressed regret and engaged in sincere dialogue, both sides mutually agreed it would be difficult to move forward with the casting.
Now, all eyes are on whether Park Sung-hoon can overcome the previous controversy and reestablish his footing in the industry through this romantic comedy. With the potential addition of Han Ji-min, an actress known for her warm screen presence and strong performances, the pairing could mark a refreshing and meaningful new start for the embattled actor. Viewers are waiting to see if this drama will be his successful reentry into the K-drama world.
Squid Game Season 2 standout Park Sung-hoon is reportedly ready to break cover and make his K-drama comeback with the upcoming webtoon-based series, Efficient Dating of Single Men and Women. The previously controversy-riddled South Korean actor could romance actress Han Ji Min of SBS TV’s Love Scout fame, according to SPOTV News.
The preliminary news of the reported K-drama casting has established that the upcoming K-drama will be helmed by Run On (starring Im Si Wan, Shin Se Kyung) director Lee Jae Hoon. Efficient Dating of Single Men and Women is expected to depict modern-day romance between singles who chase efficiency in their relationship and recognize that love alone isn’t sufficient for things to work out in the long run.
In response to the March 26 casting news, Squid Game star Park Sung Hoon’s agency BH Entertainment told K-media outlets MyDaily and OSEN that another actor is also in the running for the male lead’s role in the upcoming drama. As of now, their official stand is that they are also waiting to hear back from the drama officials whether Park will ultimately be tapped to step into the shoes of the protagonist.
Park Sung Hoon’s Squid Game 2 controversy was widely publicized after he shared a pornographic parody of Squid Game Season 2 on his personal social media profile. The incident — still fresh in K-drama memory — resulted in the actor being hit with severe backlash despite his quick response to delete the post. His agency thereafter released multiple official statements, reiterating apologies.
In January, Park Sung Hoon sat down for an interview and again expressed remorse for his blunder. “I apologize for the great mistake I made recently, which caused discomfort and concern to many people,” he said at the time. “Some have suggested that I might have intended to upload it to a secondary account, but I don’t even own a secondary account — I only use the one I currently have.” He tearfully continued, “Although it was my mistake, I firmly acknowledge it as a wrongdoing. Over the past few days, I’ve reflected deeply, blaming and regretting my actions.”
Park Sung Hoon’s previous K-drama return was canceled when he was replaced by rising star Lee Chae Min in tvN’s The Tyrant’s Chef, which was announced hot on the heels of the Squid Game 2 premiere and Sung Hoon’s successful run as a trans woman character. The Queen of Tears actor was originally set to star opposite Im Yoon Ah in the forthcoming tvN title. Ever since then, his K-drama comeback has been up in the air.
If the latest discussion holds any truth, Park may soon be seen opposite Love Scout’s Han Ji Min. The beloved actress amassed new heights of popularity thanks to her early 2025 drama co-starring Lee Joon Hyuk. Throughout its broadcast, the refreshing workplace romance series garnered high viewership ratings on the domestic K-drama scene while gaining global attention despite a limited OTT distribution.
Meanwhile, as per South Korean media outlet Xports News, Efficient Dating of Single Men and Women is based on a popular webtoon. It tells the story of a woman determined to find love, who ends up meeting two men with different charms during a blind date. Through this experience, she embarks on a journey of discovering the true meaning of love. The drama explores the realistic and condition-driven approach to dating among modern singles and presents a relatable narrative of romance and emotional growth.
The production is being handled by SLL, with filming scheduled to begin in June. Director Lee Jae-hoon is set to helm the project. Park Sung-hoon was celebrated for his performances in The Glory, Queen of Tears, and the Netflix series Squid Game season 2. However, following the massive praise he received for his portrayal of Cho Hyun-ju, a transgender woman character in Squid Game 2, he found himself at the center of controversy in December 2024.
For the unversed, the issue arose as per Sports TV News, after he uploaded a poster of a Japanese adult video (AV) which was allegedly a parody of the series Squid Game. The image was briefly posted on his personal social media account before being deleted. Addressing the incident, Park Sung-hoon explained that he had received the image via a direct message from a netizen. Intending to report it to his agency, he mistakenly uploaded it to his Instagram story.
Park Sung-hoon apologized publicly, clarifying that it was an accidental post made while checking multiple direct messages. He expressed deep regret, deleted the post immediately, and promised to reflect on the incident to prevent similar situations in the future. Despite his apology, public criticism did not subside. As a result, Park Sung-hoon decided to withdraw from the tvN drama The Tyrant’s Chef, which was set to be his next project.
Since then, as per Sports TV News, Park Sung-hoon has stayed away from new projects. However, many industry insiders and fans are eagerly waiting for his next career move. With the Efficient Meeting of Single Men and Women’s webtoon origins and Han Ji-min’s confirmed participation already generating buzz, the final decision regarding Park Sung-hoon’s casting is highly anticipated.
