Actor Jung Woo-sung, once hailed as a timeless romantic icon in Korean cinema, is now facing intense public backlash after his appearance on the MBC program. Omniscient interference point it aired on December 27. The episode showed the actor busy in a carefree manner “flirt” with comedian Lee Young-ja, sharing intense eye contact and playful banter clearly intended for variety show entertainment.
However, this seemingly harmless scene struck a chord with viewers due to Jung’s ongoing personal controversies.
In November last year, Jung Woo-sung was thrust into the spotlight after it was revealed that he had fathered a child out of wedlock with model Moon Gabi. Although he acknowledged paternity and promised to take on the responsibility of a father, many felt that the burden of the situation unfairly fell on Moon Ga bi. Netizens pointed out that she had to endure hateful comments and edited images, eventually closing the comments section and expressing her emotional distress.
The controversy deepened when it was recently confirmed that Jung Woo-sung had legally registered his marriage, not to Moon Gabi, but to another non-famous woman. This revelation came as a shock to the public and raised ethical concerns, particularly regarding its timing and perceived disregard for Moon Gabi’s situation.
In this context, his playful behavior with Lee Young-ja was widely criticized as “out of tune” AND “irresponsible.” While some defend the moment as harmless variety show content, others accuse the actor of trying to soften his image or distract from his scandals.
Online reactions include:
- “Do you think flirting on TV will improve your image?”
- “I feel sorry for Lee Young-ja. She didn’t ask to be used this way.”
- “He lacks self-awareness. This is no time for jokes on TV.”
Some even suggested that Lee Young-ja, a respected variety show veteran, had been put in an awkward position, sparking further anger at the way female entertainers are often caught in the crossfire of male celebrity scandals.
The once-adored star is now being urged by viewers to be more aware of public sentiment and take a more considered approach to managing his public appearances. As criticism mounts, questions remain about whether his choices on variety shows are helping or hurting his career.
In the age of social media and scrutiny, viewers make this clear: “Reality and entertainment can be separated, but you can’t ignore context.”
Sources: Daum
