Jung Woo Sung has once again found himself at the center of intense online criticism following a recent television appearance with fellow top actor Hyun Bin. Their joint appearance on MBC’s Point of Omniscient Interfere to promote the drama Made in Korea quickly became a hot topic across social media, not for the drama itself, but for Jung Woo Sung’s unexpected on-air behavior.
According to a December 28 report by Newsis, Jung Woo Sung openly flirted with veteran comedian Lee Young Ja during the broadcast. Sitting close to him, Lee Young Ja jokingly expressed her discomfort, saying it was difficult to even hold a private conversation because Jung Woo Sung kept staring at her. Seizing the moment, Jung responded with a teasing remark, telling her to “stay trapped” while casting what many viewers interpreted as a flirtatious glance. Hyun Bin, who was present throughout the filming, reportedly witnessed the entire exchange.
The scene quickly went viral, triggering a wave of criticism from netizens. Many accused Jung Woo Sung of being insensitive and lacking self-awareness, especially given the series of personal scandals that have surrounded him over the past year. Critics argued that openly flirting on a variety show was inappropriate timing, particularly after he had been accused of maintaining multiple romantic relationships simultaneously.
Some viewers speculated that Jung Woo Sung was deliberately using the flirtatious moment with Lee Young Ja to soften his public image and regain favor with female fans. Others expressed concern for Lee Young Ja, suggesting she may have been unintentionally placed in an uncomfortable position for the sake of his image rehabilitation.
Public reactions were harsh, with comments such as, “Does he really think flirting on TV can save his reputation?” and “This isn’t the time for playful jokes—he should be reflecting, not performing.” Sympathy for Lee Young Ja was also widespread, with netizens criticizing Jung Woo Sung for allegedly exploiting the situation.
The backlash comes after a turbulent year for the actor. In late 2024, news broke that Jung Woo Sung had become a father, but controversy erupted when he acknowledged the child while refusing to marry the mother, model Moon Gabi. Reports revealed that the two met in 2022, grew close, and that Moon Gabi became pregnant in mid-2023. While she reportedly wanted marriage, Jung Woo Sung allegedly agreed only to financial responsibility. Their child was born in March the following year.
Further controversy followed when Korean media reported that Jung Woo Sung had secretly registered his marriage to a non-celebrity girlfriend just months ago. The revelation intensified criticism, as many viewed the move as a definitive rejection of Moon Gabi beyond his role as a father. He was later accused of dating multiple women simultaneously, including Moon Gabi, a woman born in 1998, and a female accountant with whom he was allegedly involved for over a decade. Some reports even claimed the relationship with the accountant was an affair, adding fuel to public outrage.
Although one episode of the program Free Doctor denied the claims involving the accountant and the 1998-born woman, public skepticism remains strong. Additional criticism emerged after screenshots surfaced showing Jung Woo Sung allegedly sending unsolicited Instagram messages complimenting women he had no prior connection with. His agency, Artist Company, responded by stating that interactions through personal social media accounts fall under the actor’s private life and could not be confirmed.
Against this backdrop, Jung Woo Sung’s recent televised flirting has only intensified scrutiny. While Made in Korea continues to attract attention for its star-studded cast, the actor’s personal controversies are increasingly overshadowing his professional work, keeping him firmly in the spotlight for reasons beyond the screen.