“Squid Game’s” Scandal-Ridden Actor To Return With Another Romance K-Drama—Sees Blistering Reactions

Earlier in 2025, actor Park Sung Hoon, of Squid Game fame, was removed from the cast lineup of the hit K-Drama, Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, after he shared an inappropriate post on Instagram.

At the time, K-Drama fans voiced intense opposition to the idea of Park Sung Hoon taking on a role in a romance genre, noting “viewers can’t stay immersed“ in a show whose male lead is knee-deep in a scandal involving porn.

Netizens Urge Recasting Of YoonA’s Upcoming K-Drama Following Park Sung Hoon’s Controversy

Stepping down was the right choice. Even if we accept the explanation that it was an honest mistake, it’s not like this is a crime thriller or anything. If a rom-com male lead does something like that, viewers just can’t stay immersed in the story.

— Netizen Comment

That said, after having spent most of 2025 keeping a low profile, it seems he’s tackling the romance genre again with his return to the small screens.

JTBC‘s upcoming weekend K-Drama, Efficient Dating For Singles, based on a webtoon of the same name, is set to premiere on February 28, 2026—after the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics.

Park Sung Hoon will take on the role of Song Tae Seop to co-star alongside actress Han Ji Min as Lee Ui Young. The production team shared, “We hope this series can serve as a dating textbook for people in their 20s and 30s looking for balance between work and love,” asking for the viewers’ “continued interest and support.”

Unfortunately, though, the viewers were unable to offer any support at the news of Park Sung Hoon being cast in another romance K-Drama.

• “Oh please… I don’t think I’ll be watching.”
• “Ew. Literally who is waiting for his romance?”
• “I dunno… Wass Park Sung Hoon’s scandal really bad enough to get this kind of reaction? I honestly think people are overreacting. Wasn’t it just that he reposted something from Squid Game to his stories when some adult film version came out or something? Is there more than that? Sure, it would’ve been better if he hadn’t made that mistake, but I don’t know if it’s something serious enough to warrant being banned from broadcasts. Even people who’ve had DUI or drug scandals are still active.”
• “Ew.”
• “How is this an overreaction? If he doesn’t want these reactions, then don’t do romance dramas. We’re talking a male lead who reposted porn? What’s ‘over the top’ about people reacting this way?”
• “Since it’s a ‘romance’ genre mainly watched by women, I understand the reactions.”
• “I mean, the dude posted porn. It was disgusting. Men sure have it easy. All kinds of scandals just keep coming out.”
• “Oh, I really enjoyed the webtoon, but the reactions here are just… scathing.”
• “Who would want to watch a romance starring a man who posts stuff like that? Lmao. Like, we’re supposed to swoon over someone like him? Especially when we already know what he’s like in real life?”
• “Not interested.”
• “Hwaiting to Han Ji Min, I guess.”

Read more about Park Sung Hoon’s past scandal here:

Actor Park Sung Hoon Directly Speaks Up About Posting AV Parody Of “Squid Game”