“Stop Prostitution!”: Ahn Hyo Seop New Drama Controversy

It was just a while ago we heard the good news that Korean actor Ahn Hyo Seop is returning to the small screen in a new project by the “Lovely Runner” director. And yet, this new Korean drama starring Ahn Hyo Seop immediately faces massive controversy. But what really happened? Is the production team really bringing prostitution back to the Kdrama settings? Check out the complete discussion on the controversy below.

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Ahn Hyo Seop New Korean Drama Faces Massive Controversy

The rising fame of actor Ahn Hyo Seop in the global Korean drama community has been extraordinarily fast and remarkable. That is especially impressive after his roles in “Dr Romantic,” “A Business Proposal,” and “Red Sky.”

Today, the Korean actor once again invited the public’s excitement to his upcoming project with “Lovely Runner”director Yoon Jong.

Previously, Star News’s exclusive report revealed that Ahn Hyo Seop had been selected for the main role in a new Korean drama. This new Korean drama project is reportedly an adaptation of a novel titled “Night of Cheonguk.” This novel is also famous globally with the English names, “Heaven’s Night” or “Night of Heaven.”

“Heaven’s Night” / “Night of Heaven” / “Night of Cheonguk” by Hwang Ui-geon. | Naver

Adapting the book’s story, the Kdrama version of “Night of Cheonguk” will explore the theme of rumors and scandals surrounding a chaebol family and the entertainment scene. Reportedly, the series will focus on the female character’s story, a 39-year-old chaebol heiress suffering from a lifetime misfortune due to her status as an illegitimate child.

Once she meets Cheonguk, which Ahn Hyo Seop would portray if he accepts the role, her life begins to change. Together, they will protect each other from numerous evil forces while discovering the meaning of true love.

While the story seems just as exciting as the other crime-mystery dramas, the public begins criticizing the series after diving deeper into Ahn Hyo Seop’s character.

“Gender-Reversed Prostitution”: Massive Criticism Against the Project

Following the announcement of Ahn Hyo Seop new Korean drama, a massive controversy began to emerge. Korean online communities started discussing this new project with strong disapproval and criticism of the drama’s concept.

Fans believe that the storyline is outdated, sleazy, and problematic. Not only that, but they also question the glamorization of the nightlife industry, especially with a male lead who is a male escort at a club, which they believe is the same as a gigolo.

Ahn Hyo Seop and illustrations of male escorts. | Multiple sources.

Moreover, the storyline then discusses a rich older woman paying for male companionship.

Although it may involve dramatic romance plots, this kind of setting and storyline is something you normally find in the 90s to 2000s series. Hence, it is appalling that the production team is making an adaptation drama using such a story in the globally changing era.

Backlashes from Korean Communities

“So basically, it’s a setup where women go to pay for male escorts? Room salon girls only get to be mistresses, but room salon guys are hopeless romantics? Really?”
“Eww.”
“This is awful; what are they even thinking? 😂😂😂”
“What era is this even from?”
“Does anyone actually buy that a wealthy woman would go to a host club just to sit around and drink with men? 😂 Being handsome and fit doesn’t make someone a ‘top player.’ It’s wild they’re trying to dress up this sleazy world as true love. This stuff should’ve stayed in the 20th century—what are they doing?”
“It’s just a recycled plot but with the genders flipped: a beautiful, tragic young gigolo who’s been through a lot, seducing a rich, pretty older woman so they can ‘save each other.’ 😂 Gross.”
“Honestly, if the roles were reversed, this would be totally canceled… but since it’s an older woman, they’re just going for it like it’s no big deal.”
“Can they stop trying to romanticize these sleazy nightlife stories? Are we back in 2004? It’s just revolting.”
“So mistresses get punished, but gigolos get to be romantic leads? Learning ‘true love’ from a gigolo? Seriously, what?”
“Putting everything else aside, the plot is so predictable that it feels like I’ve already seen it. The whole setup is outdated, and they keep saying drama funding is hard to come by—so why even make this?”
“What’s so appealing about that setup or storyline that they thought it was worth turning into a drama? And who are the investors and actors who agreed to this? Just bad vibes all around.”

Will It Become a Successful Project?

As of today, Ahn Hyo Seop has yet to decide whether to join this new Korean drama. The agency stated that it was just one of the projects offered to him.

But what do you think about his role? Is it suitable for Ahn Hyo Seop? Will this project become another one of his hits series?

Please share your thoughts with us below.

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