Actor Jung Jun-won is embroiled in a controversy over his variety show demeanor after appearing on MBC 'Hangout With Yoo', and director Jang Hang-jun's past remarks are heating up online belatedly. Defenses of Jung Jun-won calling it an "overinterpretation" of a simple joke for laughs and criticisms saying it reveals his usual attitude as a "fact attack" are clashing fiercely, leading to heated debate.
The trigger was the MBC variety program 'Hangout With Yoo' broadcast on the 1st. Jung Jun-won appeared with fellow actor Kong Hyojin to promote the new drama "A Bona fide Killer", but his overly passive attitude throughout the broadcast left viewers puzzled. He relied on Kong Hyojin and could not hide his awkwardness even when veteran hosts like Yu Jae-seok, Joo Woo-jae and Haha asked questions, and in the "one-sentence challenge" corner he repeatedly closed his eyes and failed to continue speaking despite several chances, freezing the atmosphere.
After the broadcast, criticism poured in saying, "As MBC's flagship variety show and a 자리 staged for promotion, he should have shown at least basic sincerity and enthusiasm." Even if he is an introvert, harsh words said he did not fulfill his responsibility as an actor. As the controversy grew, Haha, who was at the scene, directly defended him in an SNS comment, saying, "He's not a professional entertainer, so please view him kindly," but the embers did not die out.
Attention then turned to director Jang Hang-jun's past remarks released in September last year on the YouTube channel 'VIVO TV'. In the video, after greeting Jung Jun-won through a phone connection with actor Bae Je-gi, Jang Hang-jun said after the call ended, "I remember. He went through auditions intensively then," and added his characteristically blunt line, "That person lacked manners. He was rude."
At the time, Song Eun I immediately smoothed things over, saying, "It was said to be funny, so I hope there is no misunderstanding," and the remark was put to rest as a typical variety show mishap, but it has been resurrected amid Jung Jun-won's recent 'Hangout With Yoo' demeanor controversy.
Netizens' opinions are sharply divided. Some defend Jung Jun-won, saying, "It's just one of Jang Hang-jun's spicy jokes and is being overinterpreted because of the recent controversy," and "It's excessive to drag up past remarks to bury an awkward mishap caused by a variety novice getting too nervous."
On the other hand, others argued strictly, saying, "He even drank and complained after failing the audition, and isn't it a fact attack that his personality or attitude at the audition seemed that way to Director Jang?" and "It's a basic attitude issue whether it's a broadcast or an audition."
Since debuting in the 2015 film "Avian Human" and steadily building his presence as Gu Do-won in the drama "Resident Playbook", Jung Jun-won is going through a difficult variety adaptation period. Amid the unexpected "resurfacing of past remarks" and the "demeanor controversy" that have become adverse factors, attention is focused on whether he can shake off the commotion and win back the public's favor with his primary work, acting.
[photo] video capture
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