The similar names of actors Lee Joon-hyuk and Lee Joon-young led to a humorous incident that could have ended cheerfully. However, the excessive reactions from fans caused it to become increasingly frowned upon.
The 'name confusion' incident between Lee Joon-young and Lee Joon-hyuk that occurred during the 4th 'Blue Dragon Series Awards' ceremony on the 18th seemed to conclude pleasantly with the parties' cheerful and mature handling. However, the excessive reactions from some fans spread in unexpected directions, leading to shock as the social media of the host, Jun Hyun-moo, became flooded with unnecessary criticism and malicious comments.
The incident began when 'Lee Joon-hyuk' was called as the winner of the Popular Star Award, but Lee Joon-young mistakenly thought his name had been called and went up on stage. Realizing the situation late, Lee Joon-young came down from the stage with an embarrassed smile, and he quickly wrapped up the situation by hugging Lee Joon-hyuk.
Afterward, Lee Joon-young actively sought to make amends for his mistake. During the live broadcast, even during the commercial break, he approached Lee Joon-hyuk to apologize, and when their show 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' won the grand prize at the end of the ceremony and the cast took the stage together, he said, "Senior Joon-hyuk, I apologize once again. I love you," eliciting laughter. After the ceremony, he also apologized repeatedly on his personal social media, saying, "I couldn't hear well on-site and made an absurd mistake. I'm sorry to Senior Joon-hyuk and the fans."
Lee Joon-hyuk also responded with an open heart, bringing a touch of emotion. He comforted Lee Joon-young through social media, saying, "Thanks to you, it was fun. Don't worry too much. I made the same mistake back at AAA. I guess it's fate. Let's grab a meal together next time." Lee Joon-young replied, "Thanks to my big-hearted hyung, I think I will sleep well tonight. I will contact you," and their cheerful ending brought warmth to the public.
The problem started when the cheerful and mature resolution between the parties led to excessive reactions from some fandoms, causing collateral damage. Some members of Lee Joon-young's fandom criticized and demanded an apology from Jun Hyun-moo, who was the MC of the 'Blue Dragon Series Awards.' They claimed that Jun Hyun-moo's 'pronunciation mistake' put Lee Joon-young in an awkward position, flooding his social media with protest comments.
However, upon reviewing the broadcast, it was revealed that Jun Hyun-moo pronounced 'Lee Joon-hyuk' correctly. The confusion appeared to be an accidental mistake arising from background noise or nervousness. Even Lee Joon-young himself addressed the situation during a fan meeting, rejecting the question of whether the MC had made a mistake, saying, "No, it was all my fault."
In this way, both Lee Joon-young and Lee Joon-hyuk resolved the situation as a humorous incident, adding warmth. However, the one-sided criticisms from some fans only amplified the embarrassment of the parties involved and prompted unnecessary controversies over what had been a well-concluded event. Jun Hyun-moo's social media comments were flooded with malicious remarks like, 'It's uncomfortable to see him without an apology,' and 'Apologize to Lee Joon-young.'
This 'name incident' was a humorous mistake that could happen during a live broadcast, and the actors handled the situation with broad-mindedness and professionalism. Instead of blaming someone, the actors demonstrated maturity by showing the grace to laugh it off, which fans should also pay attention to. It's important to realize that the desire to support one's favorite artist can lead to unnecessary controversies and hurt others, and to foster a more responsible fandom culture.
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