Jung Woo Sung has once again found himself at the center of intense criticism online following a recent TV appearance with fellow actor Hyun Bin. Their joint appearance on MBC Omniscient interference point to promote the drama Made in Korea quickly became a hot topic on social media, not because of the drama itself, but because of Jung Woo Sung’s unexpected on-air behavior.
According to a December 28 report from Newsis, Jung Woo Sung openly flirted with veteran comedian Lee Young Ja during the broadcast. Sitting next to him, Lee Young Ja jokingly expressed his discomfort, saying it was difficult to even have a private conversation because Jung Woo Sung kept staring at her. Seizing the moment, Jung responded with a playful remark, telling her to do it “get trapped” casting what many viewers interpreted as a flirtatious look. Hyun Bin, who was present during the filming, reportedly witnessed the entire exchange.
The scene quickly went viral, sparking a wave of criticism from netizens. Many have accused Jung Woo Sung of being insensitive and lacking in self-awareness, especially given the series of personal scandals that have surrounded him over the past year. Critics argued that openly flirting on a variety show was inappropriate timing, particularly after he was accused of maintaining multiple romantic relationships at the same time.
Some viewers speculated that Jung Woo Sung was deliberately using the flirtatious moment with Lee Young Ja to soften his public image and win back his fans’ favor. Others have expressed concern about Lee Young Ja, suggesting that she may have been unintentionally placed in an awkward position for the sake of her image rehabilitation.
Public reactions were harsh, with comments such as: “Do you really think that flirting on TV can save your reputation?” AND “This is no time for joking: he should be reflecting, not performing.” Sympathy for Lee Young Ja was also widespread, with netizens criticizing Jung Woo Sung for allegedly exploiting the situation.
The backlash comes after a turbulent year for the actor. In late 2024, news spread that Jung Woo Sung had become a father, but controversy erupted when he recognized the child while refusing to marry his mother, model Moon Gabi. Reports revealed that the two met in 2022, became close, and that Moon Gabi became pregnant in mid-2023. While she reportedly wanted marriage, Jung Woo Sung reportedly only accepted financial responsibility. Their child was born in March the following year.
Further controversy ensued when Korean media reported that Jung Woo Sung had secretly registered his marriage with a non-famous girl a few months ago. The revelation intensified criticism, as many saw the move as a final rejection of Moon Gabi beyond his role as a father. He was later accused of dating multiple women at the same time, including Moon Gabi, a woman born in 1998, and an accountant with whom he was allegedly involved for over a decade. Some reports even claimed that the affair with the accountant was an extramarital affair, thus fueling public outrage.
Even if an episode of the program Free doctor Having denied the claims involving the accountant and the woman, born in 1998, public opinion’s skepticism remains strong. Further criticism emerged after screenshots surfaced showing Jung Woo Sung allegedly sending unsolicited Instagram messages complimenting women with whom he had no prior connection. His agency, Artist Company, responded by saying that interactions through personal social media accounts are within the actor’s private life and cannot be confirmed.
In this context, Jung Woo Sung’s recent TV flirtation has only intensified the scrutiny. While Made in Korea continues to attract attention for its stellar cast, the actor’s personal controversies increasingly overshadow his professional work, keeping him firmly in the spotlight for reasons that go beyond the screen.
