Actor Park Sung Hoon has officially stepped down from his role in tvN's upcoming drama The Tyrant's Chef, following ongoing controversy surrounding an Instagram post.

On January 11th, a tvN representative shared, "After a lot of discussion between the production team and Park Sung Hoon's side, we decided it would be difficult for him to continue with this project."

The statement continued, "Both Park Sung Hoon and his agency have apologized multiple times regarding the situation. After careful thought, the decision was made for the actor and the production to part ways."

The controversy began on December 30th when Park Sung Hoon shared a parody image of Netflix’s Squid Game featuring Japanese AV (adult video) content on his Instagram Story. Although he quickly deleted the post, it spread online, sparking major backlash.

BH Entertainment, Park Sung Hoon's agency, addressed the issue, stating, "Park Sung Hoon accidentally uploaded the image after pressing on a DM (direct message) he received. He was shocked by the mistake and is reflecting deeply on the matter."

However, the public response remained critical. The scheduled script reading for The Tyrant's Chef on February 2nd was canceled, leading to speculation that it was due to the ongoing AV photo scandal. tvN, however, attributed the delay to the national mourning period at the time.

During a February 9th interview about Squid Game Season 2, Park Sung Hoon emotionally opened up about the incident.

"During the show’s release week, I received the image in a DM while sharing audience reactions with a team member. I thought it could be an issue, and while trying to forward it, there was a mistake, and it somehow ended up on my Story", he explained.

He clarified, “I deleted the photo immediately and didn’t watch the video. Some have suggested I uploaded it to a secondary account, but I don’t even have one.”

When asked why he hadn’t shared proof of the problematic DM, Park Sung Hoon responded, "I get so many messages that retrieving one from weeks ago isn’t easy."

Despite his explanations, public opinion hasn’t softened, leading to his exit from the highly anticipated drama. Fans remain divided on whether the incident was a genuine mistake or carelessness on the actor’s part.

Source: [1]

Actors Lee Jun Young and Jung Eun Ji are ready to get your hearts racing in the upcoming KBS 2TV drama '24-Hour Gym'—but this isn’t your typical fitness story!

Set to air this year, '24-Hour Gym' is a heartwarming and funny drama that follows the passionate gym coach Do Hyun Joong, played by Lee Jun Young, and Lee Mi Ran, an overly worried gym beginner, played by Jung Eun Ji.

Together, they'll embark on a fitness journey that’s full of quirky moments, surprising transformations, and, of course, a bit of love!

Directed by Park Jun Soo, known for his vibrant direction in Gauss Electronics and The Sound of Music, and written by Kim Ji Soo, who brought us Bossam: Steal the Fate, this drama promises to bring a mix of comedy and motivation as it explores the world of fitness in a unique way.

Lee Jun Young stars as Do Hyun Joong, a coach who lives and breathes fitness. Once small and weak, Hyun Joong has transformed his life with nothing but his love for exercise. He juggles running his own business and working as a trainer while helping others change their lives.

Jung Eun Ji plays Lee Mi Ran, a gym beginner who doesn’t know much about fitness. After saying goodbye to her favorite foods, she starts her journey at the gym, but it’s not easy.

She faces struggles with love, life, and her body. However, as she begins her fitness journey, she crosses paths with Hyun Joong, and the two start a life-changing journey together.

The chemistry between Lee Jun Young and Jung Eun Ji has already got fans buzzing! Their pairing as a fitness-obsessed coach and a worried newbie promises to bring laughter, fun, and heartfelt moments.

The drama will not only showcase their growing bond but also inspire viewers to take better care of themselves and learn to love their own bodies.

The production team of '24-Hour Gym' shared, "We can’t wait to show you the incredible chemistry between Lee Jun Young and Jung Eun Ji. Their roles as a passionate coach and a concerned gym member will create a fun, exciting, and uplifting synergy. We hope you look forward to it!"

'24-Hour Gym' will be airing later this year, and it’s definitely one to watch!

Source: [1]