Squid Game Season 2 newcomer Park Sung-hoon has apologized after facing backlash for posting an explicit parody image related to Netflix's South Korean hit series. The 39-year-old actor shed tears while apologizing for "mistakenly" sharing a lewd image on Instagram last week.
The incident happened on December 30, just days after the release of the show's second season, when Park shared an image from a Japanese adult film parodying Squid Game to his Instagram Story before quickly taking it down. However, despite its immediate deletion, many of his followers had already viewed the image, stirring backlash, especially as South Korea has started its seven-day national mourning period following the devastating Jeju Air crash.
During a press interview held in Jongno District, Seoul, on January 8 (via The Korea Times), Park said, “I’d like to briefly explain what happened that day,” detailing how his controversial post ended up being shared publicly on his account.
Park shared, “I came across the image in a DM (direct message) on Instagram while preparing to head out for a scheduled activity around lunchtime. It was just a few days after the Squid Game Season 2’s release, and I was in the middle of exchanging audience reactions with the team.”
He added, “I was shocked by the image and thought it could cause issues. While attempting to forward it for review, something must have gone wrong. I still don’t fully understand how it happened, but when I looked back later, I realized it had been posted on my Story. I deeply regret the error.”
Park went on to express his emotions as he acknowledged the seriousness of his mistake. The actor said that he immediately contacted the person in charge after discovering the image, and discussed the issue. The image was quickly deleted, and he said that he never watched the video while clarifying rumors that he ran a second account.
"Some have suggested that I might have intended to upload it to a secondary account, but I don’t even own a secondary account — I only use the one I currently have," he explained.
"I feel deeply sorry that my mistake caused trouble for the hard work of our many crew members, which is also the most upsetting part,” the actor told the reporters.
Park admitted his mistake, saying, “Although it was my mistake, I firmly acknowledge it as a wrongdoing. Over the past few days, I’ve reflected deeply, blaming and regretting my actions.”
He expressed his intent to be more cautious in the future: “I am fully aware of the seriousness of this matter and will ensure that such an incident does not occur again.”
Squid Game Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk's comments on Park Sung Hoon's AV parody controversy
On January 2, director Hwang Dong-hyuk addressed the controversy in an interview, expressing his strong disapproval of Park Sung-hoon's mistake. "It was so unpleasant to see. I was aware that even during season 1, such AV parodies were being circulated overseas. Since it's not domestic, we unfortunately can't stop it. It's frustrating. It completely distorts the meaning of the original work," the Squid Game creator said.
Hwang Dong-hyuk was then asked about his reaction towards Park Sung-hoon whom he closely worked with in the second season and shared it on his social media account. He responded by saying, "I haven't personally talked to him about this. It seems like someone sent it to him. But I haven't heard how he ended up posting it on Instagram. I too, am curious to know how he accidentally shared it."
In Squid Game Season 2, Park plays Hyun-ju (Player 120), a transgender woman and former special forces soldier who enters the deadly games to acquire money for gender confirmation surgery. He is also known for his villainous roles in The Glory as Jeon Jae-joon, and in Queen of Tears as Yoon Eun-sung / David Yoon. His character is expected to appear in Squid Game Season 3, which is scheduled to premiere on Netflix sometime this year.
