The page reportedly gained notoriety for posting slow-motion videos of female idols in revealing outfits.
Internet users spotted Kim Sung-Cheol’s name among those who had engaged with the post. (Photo Credits: Instagram)
Kim Sung-cheol, a well-known actor in the K-drama industry, is currently at the centre of controversy after internet users discovered his participation in a questionable online poll. The poll, which featured popular idols Kwon Eunbi and Kang Hyewon, may have seemed harmless at first. However, a closer look revealed that the account hosting it had a history of sharing inappropriate and objectifying content about female idols. It didn’t take long for fans to notice that the account responsible for the poll was filled with sexually explicit content.
The page reportedly gained notoriety for posting slow-motion videos of female idols in revealing outfits. Additionally, the account frequently hosted polls that compared the physical appearances of idols, reducing them to objects of desire rather than recognising their talents and achievements.
When internet users spotted Kim Sung-cheol’s name among those who had engaged with the post, the backlash was immediate. Many expressed their disappointment, questioning why an established actor would interact with such content. The situation quickly escalated, with social media platforms flooded with reactions from fans and critics alike.
As the controversy gained momentum, online forums and social media were flooded with harsh criticism directed at Kim Sung-cheol. Many users were quick to express their disappointment, with some even questioning his credibility as an actor.
“This guy didn’t really rise to fame as a lead actor and if you look at Hell, his acting is just superficial. I wonder when he ever did well, but he just drifts away on his own,” said a user on Theqoo.
Another user pointed out their lack of recognition for him before this incident. “Honestly, I don’t know the actor very well, so I thought it was someone else—but it turned out to be the actor who replaced Yoo Ah-in in Hell 2. I turned it off at the beginning because he was bad at acting but really,” a comment read.
Some fans even went as far as to call out the behaviour of celebrities in general, hinting at a larger pattern of problematic online activity. “Who doesn’t know that all the really cool celebrities are the same? If they didn’t use their official accounts recklessly, no one would know, but they don’t even do that,” the user wrote.
Actor Kim Sung-cheol has built a solid reputation in the entertainment industry, first making a name for himself in stage musicals before transitioning to television. He gained widespread recognition for his roles in Prison Playbook, The Battle of Jangsari, Do You Like Brahms?, Our Beloved Summer and Hellbound.
While some believe this may be an unfortunate mistake or misunderstanding, others argue that public figures should be more mindful of their online activity—especially when engaging with content that objectifies women. As of now, Kim Sung-cheol has not released a statement addressing the backlash.
