"I promise to be more careful and attentive in my words and actions while communicating with fans in the future." Actor Ha Jung-woo eventually bowed his head to the comment controversy.
On the 20th, images capturing Ha Jung-woo's social media account activities were shared on online communities and social media.
According to the published post, a fan with the surname 'Choi' requested Ha Jung-woo to come up with a nickname, and Ha Jung-woo replied with 'Choi Eumje.'
Ha Jung-woo is well known for giving fans unique or witty nicknames. This time, he communicated with fans in his own amusing way, and the comment was interpreted as a continuation of light-hearted joking.
However, as the term 'Choi Eumje' has sexual connotations, there were also claims that it is difficult to accept this as a joke. At 47 years old this year, Ha Jung-woo, undoubtedly aware of the meaning of 'Choi Eumje,' saw the controversy quickly spread. Whether he recognized the seriousness of the issue, Ha Jung-woo deleted the reply to the comment.
A day after the controversy arose, on the 21st, the agency Workhouse Company stated in an official position, "First, we sincerely apologize to the person who was uncomfortable with our artist's social media. "
According to the agency, Ha Jung-woo directly contacted the fan to apologize and discussed the matter. The agency promised, "We will be more careful and attentive in our words and actions while communicating with fans in the future," and vowed to prevent a recurrence.
Meanwhile, Ha Jung-woo will appear in the new tvN drama 'How to Become a Property Owner in Korea,' scheduled to air in 2026.
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