Park Sung-hoon Plots Acting Return with Han Ji-min Following ‘Squid Game’ Controversy

Actor Park Sung-hoon, who previously stepped down from the upcoming drama The Tyrant's Chef following backlash over an Instagram Story that included an image from an adult video (AV), is reportedly preparing for a return—this time in a romance drama alongside Han Ji-min.

According to his agency BH Entertainment, Park has received an offer to star in the new series Efficient Romance Between Singles (working title), an adaptation of a popular webtoon. The agency cautiously stated, “There’s another actor being considered with higher priority, and we’re currently waiting for a response.”

Efficient Romance Between Singles follows the realistic, often conditional love lives of today’s unmarried men and women. With Han Ji-min also reportedly in talks to lead the series, interest is rising over the possibility of the two actors teaming up for a new onscreen romance.

The drama may also mark the end of a turbulent chapter for Park. In December 2023, during the promotional buzz for Netflix’s Squid Game Season 2—in which he stars—Park caused a stir after he posted (and quickly deleted) a Japanese AV parody image referencing Squid Game to his Instagram Story.

Though the post was swiftly removed, the image spread rapidly across social media and online forums. BH Entertainment later explained that Park had mistakenly uploaded the image after receiving it via DM, saying, “He pressed it by accident and was shocked by the result. He’s deeply regretful.”

However, some netizens questioned the agency’s explanation, pointing out that the format did not resemble typical shared-DM content. The backlash continued, prompting Park to directly apologize during Squid Game 2 promotional interviews. He clarified that he found the image in a DM while exchanging fan reactions and unintentionally uploaded it to his Story. “It wasn’t something I had intended to post, and I deleted it immediately. I’ve never even watched the video,” he said. He also denied rumors that he had tried to upload it via a secondary account.

Despite his apology, the controversy led to further consequences. In January, it was announced that Park would no longer appear in The Tyrant’s Chef. Both the production team and his agency released a joint statement, confirming they had mutually agreed to part ways after thorough discussions. Rookie actor Lee Chae-min has since been cast in his place.

Since the incident, Park has resumed posting on Instagram and maintaining a presence on social media. If cast, Efficient Romance Between Singles could mark a swift return to the screen and a new chapter in his career.

In Squid Game Season 2, Park Sung-hoon takes on a mysterious and pivotal new role that adds psychological tension to the already high-stakes survival world. Though details about his character remain under wraps, his casting generated buzz as part of the expanded all-star lineup, marking a major career move after his breakout performance in The Glory. His appearance in the global Netflix hit positioned him for a high-profile year—until controversy temporarily stalled his momentum.

Meanwhile, Han Ji-min recently charmed viewers in Genie TV’s Love Scout, a quirky romantic drama where she starred opposite Lee Jun-hyuk. Playing a perfectionist secretary caught in an unexpected matchmaking mission, Han showcased her signature blend of warmth and sharp comedic timing. The series was praised for its fresh premise and strong chemistry between the leads, further cementing Han’s status as a go-to actress for romance and melodrama.

Stay tuned to see whether this potential romance project will officially mark Park Sung-hoon’s comeback.