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Actor Park Sung-hoon is in the process of leaving the upcoming tvN drama The Tyrant's Chef. According to a report by OSEN on January 11, Park Sung-hoon has decided to step down from the lead role in the drama, which is set to air this year. A broadcasting official confirmed that the production team and Park’s agency reached an amicable agreement for the actor's departure.
Park Sung-hoon’s exit came after a controversial incident. On December 30, the actor shared a Japanese p*rnographic photo parodying Squid Game in his Instagram (@boxabum) story. The image containing explicit content was deleted soon after it was posted. However, it had already been widely circulated by then, sparking criticism from netizens and media outlets.
Following the incident, fans demanded that the production team replace Park Sung-hoon from the cast, especially since he was set to star alongside Girls' Generation’s YoonA.
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Now, with news of his departure, fans have expressed mixed reactions. Many netizens have come to Park Sung-hoon’s defense, acknowledging the incident as a "mistake." One fan posted,
"Not a good news🙂"
More fans shared their thoughts on the news.
"So sad to see he wasn't excused for this embarrassing minor mistake, there are other actors openly still bagging roles while committing se*ual offences which are much more of an insane crime than his was. Hope he learns from his mistakes & becomes careful in the future," wrote one individual on X.
"The double standards in SK is crazy. They're so mad at him for doing that, accidentally or not, that's a tolerable mistake. Meanwhile a lot of men from SK have chat groups where they exchange vids of women who didn't know they're being filmed on cam or didn't consent to that 😡😡," commented one netizen.
"but like genuinely, where is this energy and will to keep actual sa/r*pists/abusers out of the k-industry???????? i’m baffled," noted one Kdrama fan.
Others praised Park Sung-hoon for taking responsibility and stepping down from the role. Supporters have also emphasized him as "a great actor," hoping he will be given "another chance."
"He is responsible enough to own up his mistakes, hope netz will gve him another chance, he is a great actor," read one comment.
"Stepping down is the right thing to do as it can affect the whole production and the hard working people behind it. All the best to Park Sung Hoon. Being accountable & apologizing for this unfortunate mishap is a good place to start & rebuild," posted this netizen.
Many fans are pleased with the actor’s decision to leave the drama.
"Am I in a simulation because why are ppl going hardcore to defend him and whitewash his image? He consciously decided to post pron that dehumanizes women most of the time, on his IG at that. Knowing the ongoing controversy of how sk men are treating women, I don't trust him." said one individual.
"Well deserved finally a Korean man paying for his actions l hope the same for r*pists and ped*philes in the squid game cast," added this netizen on X.
"Finally!! For those saying he shouldn't be punished for his mistake? Well, how about don't make a mistake. And stop about what aboutism. If you aren't happy with the other kactors criminals, go and demand them to step down then," said another netizen.
The Tyrant's Chef faces uncertainty amid Park Sung-hoon's SNS controversy and public apology
The upcoming drama The Tyrant's Chef, based on the web novel Surviving as Yeonsangun's Chef by Park Kook-jae, follows the tale of a modern-day French chef who time-travels 500 years into the past. The drama is set during the reign of King Yeonsangun, known as one of Korea's most infamous rulers.
The story explores the chef's journey as she navigates the tyrant's palace, cooking for a king infamous for his cruelty and known for his refined taste in food. Along the way, the narrative delves into an unlikely romance that transcends centuries.
The drama has generated significant buzz, not only for its premise but also for its creative team. Directed by Jang Tae-yoo, known for acclaimed projects like SBS’s Deep-Rooted Tree, My Love from the Star, and Hyena, as well as MBC’s Knight Flower, the show promises high production quality. The script is penned by HapJak, adding another layer of anticipation among fans.
The initial excitement surrounding the project was further fueled by the casting of Park Sung-hoon as the lead. This shifted from his usual antagonist portrayals in works such as The Glory (2022) and Queen of Tears (2024).
Additionally, Park Sung-hoon recently gained widespread recognition for portraying Hyun Joo, a transgender character (Player #120), in Squid Game 2, which premiered on December 26, 2024. His pairing with YoonA was a major talking point among fans, sparking excitement about their potential on-screen chemistry.
However, controversy soon clouded the project following Park Sung-hoon's facing backlash after uploading the image of the adult parody video to his Instagram story. The incident sparked outrage, especially among YoonA’s supporters, with many calling for his removal from The Tyrant's Chef.
In response, Park Sung-hoon's agency, BH Entertainment, released an official statement clarifying that the post was an error while the actor was managing an influx of direct messages on his social media.
Following the controversy, the first script reading for The Tyrant's Chef was canceled on January 2, 2025. The production team stated that the decision was made to observe the national mourning period following the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster, unrelated to Park Sung-hoon's controversy. Despite this clarification, many remain skeptical, speculating that the actor's situation influenced the decision.
On January 8, 2025, Park Sung-hoon publicly apologized for uploading an inappropriate image on his Instagram. Speaking at a press conference in Seoul, the actor bowed his head and tearfully regretted the mistake, acknowledging its impact on fans, colleagues, and his career. He clarified that he immediately deleted the image and had not viewed the associated video, denying claims of using a secondary account.
Park Sung-hoon admitted his fault and emphasized his ongoing self-reflection. He vowed to act more cautiously in the future, expressing deep remorse for causing inconvenience and concern.
With Park Sung-hoon stepping down, fans eagerly await updates from the production team regarding his replacement and the drama's release details.
