Park Seo Joon is one of South Korea’s most popular actors, admired for hit dramas like What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim? and Itaewon Class. But despite his success, he has not been free from controversy, like most public figures. Over the years, several remarks, incidents, and even a lawsuit have sparked debate among fans and the wider public.
Ideal-Type Interview in 2014
In 2014, Park Seo Joon gave an interview describing his views on marriage and family. These comments resurfaced in 2021 and quickly drew backlash. At the time, he said:
I grew up in a family like that, so I also think my kids should be raised by their mother… childhood shapes life… either [a child] won’t have good social skills, or he could end up being a felon, to be extreme.
In the clip, he defended the idea that a future spouse should stay home to raise their children, arguing that childhood experiences shape adult behavior. He implied that without a stay-at-home mother, children might struggle socially or even become criminals.
Additionally, he expressed attraction to women who evoke his protective instinct, preferring tall, “skinny” types who seem like they can live independently. Many netizens found his views patriarchal and insensitive.
Headband Incident at Concrete Utopia Promotion
Another controversy arose in 2023 during the promotional stage greetings for his film Concrete Utopia. At one stop, a fan handed him a headband as a gift. While his co-star Park Bo Young happily wore hers, Park Seo Joon chose not to, which sparked debate among fans. His refusal, paired with a hand gesture, was interpreted by some as dismissive.
After criticism online, he addressed the incident directly on his fan café:
I sweat a lot during stage greetings… I sprayed a lot of hairspray… it was so fixed that wearing something would hurt my scalp… It might sound like an excuse, but… I usually don’t hesitate to do stuff like that.
He explained he thought the accessory was meant for Park Bo Young and didn’t want to make a mistake.
Uncomfortable Fan Interaction During Screening
At the same Concrete Utopia promotions, a more serious situation occurred when a visibly intoxicated fan suddenly climbed on stage and hugged him. The actor looked startled but remained calm until staff intervened.
Afterward, he reassured fans:
I wasn’t aware… someone was hugging me. I was startled, but I tried to end it on a positive note.
The incident sparked discussion about fan boundaries and celebrity safety at public events.
No Heart Gesture at Chanel Event
At a Chanel Twed De event, Park declined photographers’ requests to make a hand heart gesture, a departure from his usual fan service. He later clarified that the brand requested he refrain from such gestures (hand hearts, cheek hearts, and Vs) at that specific event.
Image Rights Lawsuit Over Restaurant Promotion
Park Seo Joon’s most significant controversy involved a legal battle. He was also involved in a legal dispute when a small restaurant used an image of him eating marinated crab in What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim? as part of its menu promotion without consent.
His agency, Awesome ENT, repeatedly asked the owner to stop from 2019 to 2024. When the requests were ignored, they filed a lawsuit. The initial damages were calculated at ₩6 billion (USD 4.4 million), based on Park’s average endorsement fee of ₩1 billion per year.
Later, recognizing the small scale of the business, the claim was reduced to ₩60 million (USD 44,000). After a lengthy process, the court sided with Park but awarded him ₩5 million (approximately USD 3,700), far less than the original damages claimed.
Park Seo Joon’s case against a small restaurant owner divided public opinion. Some argued the lawsuit was “petty” and excessive for a small restaurant.
Dragged into Kim Soo Hyun Controversy
During the first months of 2025, Park Seo-joon was briefly associated with the controversy involving Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron. The issue began when Sae Ron’s family alleged that Kim Soo Hyun had dated her while she was still underage, a claim his agency strongly denied.
Park’s name surfaced after he posted a set of Instagram updates from a trip to Paris on March 16, captioned, “What did I do in Paris? Garo.” Some commentators, including Kim Se Eui of the Garosero Research Institute, speculated that “Garo” hinted at Kim Soo Hyun’s rumored nickname, “YouTuber Kim Paris,” and to alleged letters between him and Sae Ron that used the Korean words for “horizontal” (garo) and “vertical” (sero).
However, many fans pointed out that Park Seo Joon had used the word “Garo” in past posts unrelated to the scandal. Without directly addressing the rumors, Park shifted attention by later sharing a lighthearted update about his dog Simba.
Looking ahead, Park Seo Joon is set to return to the romantic comedy genre with Waiting for Gyeongdo, which is scheduled to air on JTBC in December.
