International fans have slammed the casting.
Koreaboo
2 hours ago
Girls’ Generation‘s YoonA is set to return to the small screen with the upcoming K-Drama Unnatural. While many fans were excited about the casting news, attention quickly shifted to one of her co-stars.
Yoona | Instagram
Actor Lee Jin Wook was confirmed as part of the cast, leading to backlash from many international fans because of past sexual assault allegations against him. The criticism was especially strong as Unnatural is a Korean adaptation of the Japanese drama of the same name, which includes storylines involving sexual assault.
Girls’ Generation YoonA’s New K-Drama Hit With Backlash Due To Co-Star Sexual Assault Allegeations
However, the reaction in Korea has been very different.
A post highlighting international fans’ reactions became a hot topic on Pann. Yet, instead of agreeing with the criticism, many netizens in the comments defended the actor.
Lee Jin Wook | Instagram
Several argued that he had been falsely accused and warned that people continuing to call him a sexual assault perpetrator could face legal consequences.
| Pann
- “It’s even more disgusting and criminal to frame someone who suffered because of a false accusation as a sexual assault perpetrator.”
- “I actually read Lee Jin Wook’s court ruling. It’s true they had consensual sex. But after the encounter, the woman didn’t get the reaction she expected (he didn’t contact her the next day), so she got angry and reported it as rape. (She changed her statements multiple times; there was no evidence of sexual assault, and Lee Jin Wook’s testimony remained detailed and consistent.) I wanted to criticize him properly if I was going to, so I bought and read the court documents. But attacking a man over something like this only reflects badly on women. If someone files a rape complaint because they’re upset about what happened after consensual sex, that’s a false accusation. She ruined that man’s life for years because he didn’t contact her afterward. As a woman, should we really be defending someone who committed a false accusation like that?”
- “This post is based on facts, so if someone gets sued for defamation by spreading false information, they’re pretty much guaranteed to lose. Real life has consequences, yet people still write posts like this.”
- “This is seriously the kind of thing that could get someone sued. LOL.”
- “Looks like the original poster will be heading to court soon. LOL.”
Looks like Korean and international netizens are split on the topic. Where do you stand? Let us know in the comments section of our social media posts!