Beloved K-Drama Actor Opens Up About Marijuana Scandal That Led To Award Snub And 2-Year Hiatus

Actor Park Sang Myun (or Park Sang Myeon), well known to avid K-Drama fans for his multiple supporting roles across numerous hit series, revealed that he was once swept up in a rumor that led to his exclusion from an acting award nomination and to his being unable to work for two years.

In the latest episode of MBN‘s Kim Ju Ha’s Day & Night, the fan-favorite actor reflected on his time appearing in the mega-hit 2010 K-Drama, Bread, Love and Dreams (also known as King of Baking, Kim Tak Goo). He shared that in 2010, “Bread, Love and Dreams surpassed 50% in viewership ratings,” and that he was told he would be receiving a year-end award.

That year, there was really no other drama to give awards to. I was nominated and even received a call telling me to prepare.

— Park Sang Myun

However, an unexpected rumor quickly changed everything. “A tabloid newsletter suddenly started circulating,” Park Sang Myun said.

It claimed that ‘Actor P’ was under investigation for marijuana use. The drama mentioned in the rumor was similar to mine. They didn’t even reveal a real name, but the broadcasting station acted as if I was about to be arrested.

— Park Sang Myun

Although his name was never explicitly mentioned, suspicion spread online.

It’s strange to come out and say ‘I didn’t smoke marijuana’ when no name was even stated, isn’t it? I had only been nominated for Best Supporting Actor, but I was eventually informed that I had been removed from the nomination list. On the internet, everyone assumed it was me.

— Park Sang Myun

Park Sang Myun explained that although the real identity of “Actor P” was revealed one to two years later, the damage had already been done. “By then, it was too late. I couldn’t appear in any projects for two years,” he said.

At the time, it really hurt. Fortunately, though, I let things go quickly. Not thinking too deeply is my strength. I let it go in one ear and out the other. I kept meeting friends, laughing, talking, and hanging out. That’s how I spent my time, and before I knew it, I’d forgotten about it.

— Park Sang Myun

Eventually, Park Sang Myun achieved his moment of glory, accepting the “Excellence Award” at the 2025 KBS Drama Awards for Catch Your Luck.