Is Park Sung Hoon REALLY Unforgivable for the Instagram Story Controversy?

Have you ever in your life make one mistake by accident, only to cause massive ripple effects that turn your whole career upside down? “Squid Game” Season 2 actor Park Sung Hoon recently tasted the bitter pills of controversy caused by his Instagram story mistake. And yet, after a sincere apology, do you think actor Park Sung Hoon is truly that unforgiveable? Let’s discuss the issue together below.

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Park Sung Hoon Faced Irreversible Controversy: “Squid Game” AV Parody on Instagram Story

Park Sung Hoon became the center of public controversy after unintentionally sharing an explicit parody of Netflix “Squid Game” on his Instagram story.

In late December 2024, actor Park Sung Hoon, who has been increasingly famous for carrying the whole Season 2 of “Squid Game” with his role as Hyun Ju, reportedly posted an adult video (AV) parody mimicking the show’s iconic costumes and premise on his Instagram story. This action immediately led to massive backlash, creating a controversy as the public believed it was inappropriate and offensive.

Although the story was quickly deleted, screenshots of the post spread across social media, sparking heated debate.

Park Sung Hoon “Squid Game” Instagram Story. | @boxabum on Instagram

The controversy escalated when Park Sung Hoon initial explanation triggered only skepticism. He stated that it was an accidental upload while browsing through direct messages. However, many netizens believed the excuse was weak and insufficient. They accused him of being careless and disrespectful towards the original “Squid Game” creators and fans.

His agency, BH Entertainment, later updated their response. The company explained that Park Sung Hoon had intended to privately forward the image to someone at the company but mistakenly posted it publicly.

Despite this clarification, his reputation has now deteriorated, especially after the “Squid Game” director Hwang Dong Hyuk publicly condemned his action.

“It was really uncomfortable to see.

I knew that AV parodies like that existed in other countries since the first season. However, since they’re made abroad, there’s not much we can do about it. And it is quite frustrating. It completely distorts the original meaning of the show.

I haven’t had a chance to speak with Park Sung Hoon yet, but I’m also wondering why he decided to share something like that.”
Hwang Dong Hyuk.

Park Sung Hoon Posted an Apology but It Was Not Enough

Following the growing outrage, Park Sung Hoon immediately expressed his sincere apology. He issued an official statement, expressing deep regret for his actions. He also emphasized that he never intended to disrespect the series or its fans and promised to exercise greater caution with his social media use.

“While I was quickly checking my messages before leaving for an appointment, I saw a photo that seemed problematic. Since the show had just been released, I thought it could cause issues. While I was talking about the show’s reactions with someone involved, I think I accidentally posted it on my story instead of sending it privately.

To be clear, I didn’t watch the video, and I don’t have another account—this wasn’t an attempt to upload it elsewhere. I feel very sorry for the trouble my mistake caused, and I’ve been reflecting on it ever since. I’ll be more careful with my actions in the future to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again.”
Park Sung Hoon.

However, despite his sincere tone, public opinion remained divided. While some accepted his apology and acknowledged that everyone makes mistakes, others argued that as a public figure, he should face consequences for his carelessness.

In fact, due to this Instagram story controversy, rising “Squid Game” actor Park Sung Hoon has been forced to quit his lead role for highly-anticipated Kdrama, “The Tyrant’s Chef.”

Does The Controversy Now Defines His Whole Career Even After a Sincere Apology?

Finally, the controversy surrounding Park Sung Hoon “Squid Game” AV Instagram story has undeniably cast a shadow over his rising career. Yes, he may have responded with swift and sincere apology, but the damage was already done.

Still, it raises the question: should a single, unintentional mistake completely derail someone’s future?

It’s important to recognize that celebrities, while living in the public eye, are also human. Mistakes happen—sometimes in ways that cause unintended harm—and how one responds to those mistakes is crucial. Park Sung Hoon has taken responsibility, issued a heartfelt apology, and committed to being more careful moving forward. Isn’t that what we hope for when someone makes an error?

Ultimately, whether Park Sung Hoon’s career can recover from this controversy depends on the public’s willingness to forgive and give him a chance to prove himself once more. While the incident may have caused significant setbacks, it doesn’t have to define him permanently. Everyone deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and move on from their mistakes.

So, do you think Park Sung Hoon is truly unforgivable? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

In the meantime, let’s once again watch Park Sung Hoon’s exceptional performance as Hyun Ju.

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