Disney+ "Polaris," despite racing to No. 1 globally, lead actor controversy…will its momentum wobble?
Disney+ original series "Polaris" has captivated global viewers upon release, writing a new chapter for Korean original content. However, lead actors Jun Ji-hyun and Gang Dong-won have been swept up in unexpected controversies, raising questions about whether the show's box office momentum can continue.
Polaris, which premiered on the 10th, claimed the title of "the most-viewed Disney+ Korean original work worldwide (as of five days after release) among Disney+ Korean originals released in 2025," proving the strength of a well-made spy melodrama.
In particular, the first pairing of Jun Ji-hyun and Gang Dong-won, the weighty narrative and action completed by directors Kim Hee-won and Heo Myeong-haeng, and the political tension drew global viewers in and became a hot topic.
But the momentum-driving work has also encountered noise. Recently, a scene in which Jun Ji-hyun's character says, "Why does China prefer war? A nuclear bomb could fall on border areas," spread online in China and sparked fierce backlash. Chinese netizens criticized the use of filming scenes set in Dalian, the five-star carpet pattern staging, and the villain's Chinese lines, saying the show "distorts China's image." With controversy over Jun Ji-hyun's pronunciation also emerging, some advertisers have suspended online content in China, widening the fallout.
Another lead, Gang Dong-won, also faced criticism. It was revealed that the one-person agency he founded, AA Group, operated without registering as an entertainment business. Gang Dong-won's side explained that they "immediately recognized the issue and are proceeding with the registration process," but public opinion has grown cold after a series of unregistered agency controversies following Sung Si-kyung and Ok Joo-hyun.
Thus, separate from the drama's own quality and box office performance, the successive controversies involving the two lead actors have emerged as variables. Netizen responses are divided. Some draw a line, saying "the work should be judged on its own" and "an actor's personal controversy should not affect box office performance," while others criticize, saying "cultural sensitivity toward China must be considered" and "neglecting even legal obligations is clearly a problem."
Polaris, praised as a well-made global project, is firmly holding the No. 1 spot. However, if the unexpected scandals surrounding the lead actors continue, attention will focus on what effect they may have on rising viewership.
[Photo] OSEN DB
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