K-dramas, films grapple with ‘actor risk’

Actor Yoo Ah-in arrives at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, Sept. 3, 2024, for his first trial hearing on charges of habitual drug use. Joint Press Corps

The global rise of K-content has brought unprecedented attention and investment to Korea’s entertainment industry, but it has also magnified the disruptive force of so-called "actor risk" — the potential for an individual performer’s misconduct to jeopardize big budget productions.

Recent controversies surrounding prominent actors Yoo Ah-in and Kim Soo-hyun highlighted the risk, sparking debates over the fate of completed works starring them and how responsible stars should be for their actions.

Yoo’s ongoing legal battle over alleged habitual drug use is a prominent case study. Yoo was released on probation in his second trial in February and films starring him are now being released.

His movie "The Match," was delayed for around two years as a result of the investigation but finally had a theatrical release in March. While promotional efforts minimized his presence, the film surpassed its break-even point.

Yoo even received a Best Actor nomination at the Director's Cut Awards, hosted by the Directors Guild of Korea, for his performance in the film, highlighting the complex intersection of artistic merit and personal scandal.

Another of Yoo's movies, "Hi-Five," finished filming in 2021 and is slated for release on May 30. On Monday, director Kang Hyoung-chul addressed the situation, calling the circumstances surrounding the 38-year-old actor "regrettable" and "something that shouldn't have happened."

Kang explained that when the scandal emerged, the film was still in postproduction, adding that Yoo’s scenes were "almost not touched editorially," indicating a decision to release the film as intended despite the controversy.

The impact of actor risk is not limited to criminal charges. Actor Kim Soo-hyun faced intense public backlash over a dating rumor involving the late actor Kim Sae-ron, who died in February. The controversy escalated due to speculation that their alleged relationship began when she was still a minor.

This controversy has led streaming platform operator Disney+ to put the release of its highly anticipated, big budget series “Knock-Off,” featuring Kim as the protagonist, on hold.

Originally planned for an April debut, the series' future is now uncertain as the platform grapples with negative sentiment towards Kim. The situation has fueled concerns that global streaming services might become hesitant to invest heavily in K-dramas due to the potential damage of actor scandals.

Actor Kim Soo-hyun holds a press conference at a hotel in Seoul, March 31, to address allegations surrounding him. Newsis

The Korean entertainment industry is divided over whether productions featuring lead actors involved in controversies should be released or postponed.

An official in the local film industry emphasized the collective efforts and significant investments tied to each production.

“Stopping a series or film from being released is an extremely difficult decision because it's not made solely on the strength of one lead actor,” the industry insider said.

“This perspective highlights the massive capital and human resources, including fellow actors, directors, writers and crew members whose work and livelihoods are dependent on the project's completion and release.”

On the other hand, officials stress that the public expects celebrities to take time for serious self-reflection after a scandal. Attempts to make a comeback can be difficult, as people often remember past wrongdoings, which are now easily accessible online.

The negative reaction to casting Choi Seung-hyun, also known as T.O.P of BIGBANG, who had a past marijuana conviction, in the second season of Netflix series “Squid Game” shows that the public's feelings of disappointment can last for a long time.

Another industry official pointed out that with Korean actors' fees increasing exponentially, actors need to demonstrate a greater sense of responsibility.

"Given that Korean actors' guarantee fees have already become more expensive than those in Japan, streaming platforms like Netflix might hesitate to work with Korean talent," the official said. "This is because production costs can increase unexpectedly. In this situation, to avoid actor-related risks, self-management by actors in leading roles is also required."