'Polaris' ranks first globally despite controversy over Gang Dong-won's unregistered agency, cooling concern
Disney+ original series Polaris has become the center of attention as a global hit phenomenon. But with lead actor Gang Dong-won embroiled in controversy over his agency's lack of registration, the show's hot popularity has been dampened.
According to Disney+, Polaris, released on Sept. 10, reached "the most viewed Disney+ Korean original released in 2025 globally, including Korea and the Asia-Pacific region," within five days of its release. The massive casting of Jeon Ji-hyun and Gang Dong-won, the well-made spy-melodrama genre, and the directing of Kim Hee-won and Heo Myung-haeng have combined to elicit explosive responses in the global market beyond Korea.
Viewers have praised it without reserve, saying, "I couldn't even breathe watching the acting contest between trusted actors," "action and romance explode at the same time," and "every line of dialogue is weighty." Anticipation is further rising ahead of the release of episodes 6 and 7 on the 24th.
However, reports have surfaced that Gang Dong-won's personal agency "AA Group" operated without being registered as an entertainment planning business, dampening the mood. The controversy erupted unexpectedly. Under current law, operating management services without registration can result in up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won. The agency said it "applied for education and is proceeding with registration procedures as soon as it recognized the issue," attempting to contain the situation, but the timing amid the show's success has caused considerable fallout.
Internet user reactions are mixed. Some expressed regret, saying, "It's doing well globally, so the timing is unfortunate," and "legal procedures are basic, so negligence was clearly a mistake." Others defended him, saying, "They are correcting it and proceeding with registration now, so it's not a big problem," and "tying the work's quality and the actor's performance to this issue is excessive."
Despite Polaris's global box-office success, it now faces mixed views due to Gang Dong-won's unexpected controversy, and attention is focused on whether the show's momentum can continue undisturbed.
[Photo] OSEN DB
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