‘Love Scout’ Built the Perfect Love Story… Until This Happened

The producer of SBS drama 'Love Scout', Ham Jun-ho, has belatedly issued an apology for past assault allegations, stirring backlash even after the drama’s successful finale.

The series wrapped up with a "perfect happy ending" on February 14, recording a solid 12% nationwide viewership according to Nielsen Korea. However, as the controversy surrounding its director resurfaced, criticism poured in.

The Controversy Resurfaces

In January, SBS released an official statement, saying, "We sincerely apologize for causing concern due to the unfortunate news regarding PD Ham Jun-ho." The network acknowledged that "Ham was charged with assault and defamation while intoxicated in early 2020."

The incident, which had largely faded from public memory, came back into the spotlight after old news reports were rediscovered and shared on online communities.

According to reports from March 1, 2020, Ham was heavily intoxicated in the Hannam-dong area of Seoul when he began throwing soju at random pedestrians and physically assaulting them. The situation escalated when he was arrested on the spot but allegedly continued to shout at police officers and direct explicit insults at a female officer in her 20s.

The police charged Ham with special assault, bodily harm, and defamation and even requested a detention warrant due to his prior record. However, prosecutors dismissed the request, leading to his release.

A Delayed Apology

Despite the severity of the case, Ham’s public apology only came after 'Love Scout' had completed its run. In his statement, he admitted, "I deeply regret the terrible mistake I made in the past. For the past five years, I have lived with regret and shame."

He continued, "From the moment I was given the chance to direct this drama, my only focus was to do my best until the very end. Seeing how much this project was loved has made me want to become a better person."

"To everyone who supported 'Love Scout', I am both grateful and deeply sorry."

Ham received an official suspension following the incident and reportedly spent three years in self-reflection before returning to directing in 2023.

However, fans remain divided over his late apology. While some question why he only addressed the issue after the drama ended, others argue that the cast, including Lee Jun-hyuk and Han Ji-min, should not be blamed for the controversy surrounding the director.

As the discussion continues, 'Love Scout' remains a fan-favorite drama, albeit now with an unexpected layer of controversy attached to its name.