More and more Korean celebrities are reportedly turning to TikTok Live as a new platform to communicate with fans, following growing attention around rumors that actor Park Si Hoo earns huge profits through live streaming broadcasts.
Recently, actor Jang Dong Joo, who shocked fans by suddenly announcing his retirement, and producer MC Mong both appeared on TikTok Live broadcasts, attracting great attention from the public.
TikTok Live is a live streaming feature available on the Chinese short-form video platform TikTok, allowing creators and viewers to communicate freely through comments, joint broadcasts and real-time interaction. In recent months, a growing number of Korean celebrities have reportedly chosen the platform to connect directly with fans.
Among them, Park Si Hoo has become one of the most talked about examples. Although he met the audience through the film “Chorus of God” last year, the actor has remained largely absent from television dramas since 2020, aside from his appearance on the 2024 variety program “With my father and me.”
Fans instead started receiving updates about Park Si Hoo through TikTok Live broadcasts. Rumors were also circulating that the actor had earned up to KRW 500 million through live streaming activities, especially after he reportedly ranked first on the Korean TikTok Live chart due to his active streaming schedule.
Park Si Hoo isn’t the only celebrity to embrace the platform. Actor Lim Ju Hwan and Sechs Kies member Jang Su Won also reportedly met fans and generated revenue through TikTok Live during breaks from TV and music projects.
Former LABOUM member Yulhee has also been balancing acting work with regular TikTok Live broadcasts and recently celebrated her 100th day on the platform.
Last month, actress Han Chae Young also attracted attention after hosting her first TikTok Live broadcast, where viewers he discussed his significantly changed appearance. MC Mong later joined the live stream through a collaborative broadcast, further fueling the audience’s interest.
MC Mong attracted attention once again after announcing a personal broadcast on TikTok Live on May 18. Before going live, he declared: “I will talk about past events and everything that concerns me.”
During the broadcast, MC Mong said that the rumors regarding prostitution, affairs and gambling allegations against him came from Cha Jun Young, the uncle of One Hundred chairwoman Cha Ga Won, who was reportedly removed from executive producer duties last year.
He also claimed that Cha Jun Young ran an illegal gambling ring and mentioned several names during the live stream, including singer Kim Min Jong. MC Mong also referenced the names of artists who recently left One Hundred.
A day before MC Mong’s broadcast on May 17, Jang Dong Joo personally addressed fans via TikTok Live after unexpectedly announcing his retirement from the entertainment industry.
The actor explained “I don’t want the current situation to cause harm to other actors or staff members. Acting is not the only profession in the world. If I ever get another chance to come back one day, I will try again.”
Jang Dong Joo further revealed that although he had already paid off KRW 3 billion in debt, he still had debts of around KRW 800 million. He added, “This is not the right time. I think it’s better to focus on paying off my debt,” announcing plans to continue communicating with fans daily via TikTok Live.
As more and more celebrities continue to join TikTok Live, the platform is quickly evolving into a new space where Korean stars can share updates, respond to controversies, and reconnect with audiences in real time. Attention is now focused on which celebrity could be the next to join this growing trend.
Sources: Daum
