Park Sung-hoon, the prominent actor known from popular Netflix series such as Squid Game and The Glory, has officially resigned from the upcoming drama The Tyrant's Chef amid significant backlash following his controversial social media posts. The decision, confirmed by the drama's production company, Studio Dragon, came after intense discussions and public disapproval over one specific incident.
The controversy erupted on December 30, 2024, when Park posted what many deemed inappropriate content on his Instagram. Specifically, he shared an image associated with what appeared to be parody pornography linked to Squid Game, which coincidentally related to the themes of the series. The backlash intensified due to the unfortunate timing of his post; just the day before, South Korea had begun seven days of national mourning for the tragic Jeju Air crash, which claimed 179 lives.
Initially, Park Sung-hoon deleted the post moments after sharing it, explaining later, “I was trying to send the photo because I was extremely shocked and felt a strong sense of awareness of how problematic this was.” His attempt to clarify the circumstances was not enough to quell the outrage, leading to multiple apologies issued by both him and his agency, BH Entertainment.
Studio Dragon stated, “We have mutually decided Park will step down from our production after long discussions.” This cooperative decision followed significant public outcry and calls for his ousting from the cast, especially from fans of co-star Im Yoon-ah. Despite sincere apologies from Park, including one where he expressed, “I sincerely apologize for the great mistake I made recently, which caused discomfort and concern to many people,” the public sentiment remained staunch and unforgiving.
Park Sung-hoon, who had built a reputation through prestigious roles and had recently gained immense popularity for his portrayal of the transgender woman Hyun-ju in Squid Game, felt the repercussions deeply. He stated, “I feel the consequences should be borne only by me, and not the whole team of a new show.” This sentiment reveals the actor’s accountability and respect for his fellow cast and crew members during tumultuous times.
The role left vacant by Park has raised eyebrows about who will step up next. Studio Dragon is now reportedly considering rising star Lee Chae-min, who is known for his performances on dramas such as Hierarchy and See You in My 19th Life. The young actor is recognized for his previous work and has been approached to fill Park’s shoes as the male lead opposite Im Yoon-ah, of K-pop group Girls’ Generation fame.
This reshuffling is particularly notable as The Tyrant’s Chef is anticipated to be one of tvN's highlight dramas for the year. Scheduled to explore the story of a French chef who engages with culinary royalty through time travel, it has intrigued many fans even before its premiere.
After the explosive events surrounding Park Sung-hoon’s exit, discussions about public perception and accountability within the entertainment industry have surfaced. Fans and industry insiders alike have expressed varying perspectives; some view the outrage as justified based on the sensitive timing of the post, whereas others criticize the media's role, arguing the fallout may have been disproportionate to the severity of the error made.
Park has acknowledged the intense scrutiny placed upon him since the incident. During media rounds promoting Squid Game Seasons 2, he revealed he was diligently tracking social media activity aimed at his recent works and had intended to deal with the unsuitable content before it became public. Unfortunately, the mistake occurred when he mistakenly uploaded the image during these attempts.
While many actors commonly take breaks after controversies, Park’s future direction remains uncertain. The possibility of rehabilitation within the industry still looms significantly for him, and audiences will be watching closely as the repercussions of this scandal develop. The entertainment world, especially for public figures, continues to navigate the tension between personal mistakes and the collective expectations of their audiences.
Meanwhile, expectations for The Tyrant’s Chef will proceed, with fans eager to see how the casting changes play out. The drama's unique narrative premise and its talented cast offer hope for continued interest, marking this transition as significant not just for Park but also for the future of the series.