Choi Hyun-wook, the actor who’s set to star alongside Moon Ga-young in a romantic comedy next year, has recently found himself at the center of public criticism due Nude Photo
The actor, who’s no stranger to public scrutiny after past controversies, has now made headlines once again. On November 13, 2024, Choi shared a photo of a bear-shaped prop on his Instagram story, tagging several accounts. However, when the reflective material of the prop was enlarged, it gave the illusion that Choi was not wearing clothes while holding his phone to take the picture. The unintentional reveal sparked backlash from netizens, who criticized the lack of care in posting such an image.
This isn’t Choi’s first brush with controversy. Last year, a video surfaced showing him smoking in public, holding hands with a woman, and discarding a cigarette butt on the street. These actions caused a stir, and the actor issued an apology for his behavior, acknowledging that he had let down his fans by not acting more responsibly.
Despite his rising career and strong performances on-screen, Choi has often found himself in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. Born in 2002, he made his debut in 2019 with the web drama Real: Time: Love, but it was his role as a school bully in Taxi Driver that first earned him wide recognition. He later won the “Best New Actor” award for his role in Racket Boys and received praise for his portrayal in Twenty-Five Twenty-One. Still, his personal life has repeatedly overshadowed his professional achievements, with incidents such as clubbing and smoking publicly sparking criticism.
Some of his fans argue that young actors should be allowed to live their lives, including going to clubs or enjoying some freedom. However, critics suggest that, given his position as a rising star, Choi should demonstrate more maturity and responsibility. The recent Instagram photo incident, while seemingly accidental, raises questions about his lack of attention to detail and his ability to manage his public image.
In his upcoming romantic comedy, Black Salt Dragon, Choi will be working with Moon Ga-young, an actress known for her careful selection of roles in dramas like True Beauty and The Interest of Love. Moon has built a reputation for choosing projects that align with her image, and industry insiders are now concerned that Choi’s ongoing scandals could affect the chemistry between the two leads and the overall reception of the drama. The success of romantic comedies heavily relies on the lead actors’ chemistry, and with Choi’s public image now in question, there is growing worry about how the audience will respond.
Choi Hyun-wook, now in his sixth year in the industry, is at a critical juncture in his career. While he has the potential to transition from a rising actor to a lead role, the repeated controversies surrounding his personal life raise concerns about his ability to maintain a strong, positive public image. His recent actions, combined with the ongoing public backlash, leave many wondering if he can recover and prove his maturity and readiness to take on more significant roles in the future.
