Has Jung Woo Sung’s star power finally waned? The veteran actor recently found himself at the center of a firestorm, over accusations of poor acting in Disney+ films. Made in Koreaand now, under suspicion of orchestrated viral marketing campaigns.
Released in December 2025, Made in Korea stars Jung Woo Sung as elite prosecutor Jang Geon Young, caught in a battle between ambition and justice. With acclaimed director Woo Min Ho at the helm, known for Inside men, The drug kingAND The man standing next expectations for the series were sky high. The stellar cast, including Hyun Bin, Jung Woo Sung, Woo Do Hwan, Cho Yeo Jeong, Jung Sung Il, and Park Yong Woo, only added to the anticipation.
However, public reception told a different story. Viewers criticized Jung Woo Sung’s performance, citing Awkward line delivery and over-acting that broke immersion. The disparity became even more apparent when compared to co-star Hyun Bin’s composed portrayal. The negative reaction has been widespread across online communities, a rare fall from grace for the actor in his 32nd year since debuting in 1994. The nine-tailed fox.
Interestingly, as criticism increases, a wave of eerily similar praise because Jung’s performance began to surface on Korean mom forums, which are known for quickly spreading opinions. Post with identical formats and screenshots from Made in Korea they appeared on the same day, January 13, each praising their acting and rejecting previous criticisms. The timing and consistency of these posts sparked speculation of deliberate viral marketing by the production team or Jung’s agency, Artist Company. As netizens gathered evidence questioning the authenticity of these posts, many of the threads were quickly deleted.
This isn’t Jung Woo Sung’s first public controversy in recent years. In 2024, he was revealed to be the biological father of model Moon Ga Bi’s son, fueling headlines about an out-of-wedlock birth. She later registered a legal marriage with a non-famous partner, not Moon Ga Bi, in 2025.
Once hailed as an iconic protagonist, Jung Woo Sung now faces criticism not only for his performance, but also for perceived damage control efforts. Like the conversation around Made in Korea continues, it remains to be seen whether his reputation can recover or whether this will leave a lasting dent in his legacy.
Sources: Nate
