He has Jung-Woo, once celebrated as one of the most prolific and respected actors in Korea, is facing criticism for what seems to be a period of judgment. Known for the films acclaimed like “the Unforgiven“,”The hunter“,”Take off“,”The yellow sea“,”Nameless gangster: rules of time“,”Together with the gods” AND “1987: when the day arrives“, He has long had a solid reputation of a box office magnet and versatile actor. In August 2018, he exceeded 100 million cumulative spectators in his leading films, becoming the youngest Korean actor to do it second only to Song Kang-Ho.
Despite its consolidated stature in Korean cinema, the last years of hat have been marked with a series of false steps. While expanding in the direction and production, his projects began to falter. Most of his recent films have performed badly, raising concerns for the fact that he could lose the trust of the public as a reliable advantage. Critics have even observed that he is trying to chase too many ambitions simultaneously and losing sight of what originally made him successful.
The most recent controversy has led to an interaction on social media that quickly escaped control. During a routine of questions and answers, a user with the surname Choi asked to have to create a nickname for them. He replied with “Choi-Eum-Je” a Korean term phonetically similar to an aphrodisiac. Although it may have been understood as a play of playful words, the term transports clear sexual connotations and since the fan was a woman, the public backlash was rapid and serious.
Although he has a reputation for playful interaction with fans, the inappropriate nature of the comment in particular from a public figure of his stature was considered unacceptable by many. His private space on social media, by nature of his fame, is no longer truly private. Each comment is under control, and this in particular has been criticized as a negligent and deaf.
Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, he has Jung-Woo issued formal apologies through his agency, affirming, “I honestly apologize to anyone who feels uncomfortable. I personally contacted the fan and also offered my apologies.” However, for many, the damage had already been done.
This is not the first has with controversy. Previously he faced legal problems for the illegal use of propofol, a powerful anesthetic, which led to a public process and his inclusion in the list of prohibited entertainers of KBS. These accidents have added levels to its image once uncontaminated, now increasingly seen as troubled.
Living as a high -level celebrities in Korea is not an easy undertaking. The fame does not come without its risks and the greater the pedestal, the more public the fall is. A negligent moment a misleading word can derail decades of reputation earned hard. And with every controversy, the road to redemption becomes more steep.
The last false step of Ha Jung-Woo underlines the growing difficulty that public figures face in preserving their image in the midst of growing control. His journey serves as a memory that makes you think about the fact that building a reputation is one thing, but preserving it especially in today’s digital era is a completely different challenge. For a figure as he has, whose career once symbolized consistency and splendor, this type of incorrectly avoidable judgment is both disappointing and harmful.
Sources: Nate
