Popular gay TV personality Hong Seok Cheon is facing criticism over his recent actions.
Hong Seok Cheon
Hong Seok Cheon is the host of “Hong Seok Cheon’s Jewel Box,” a show where he interviews handsome male celebrities, referring to them as his “jewels.” Many K-Pop idols have appeared on the program, including TXT‘s Yeonjun and NCT‘s Jaemin.
TXT’s Yeonjun (center) | 홍석천의 보석함/YouTube
Recently, members of the fourth-generation boy group WHIB appeared on the show to promote their latest release, “Rock The Nation.”
Hong Seok Cheon usually jokes with guests, who are usually happy to play along. At the end of each episode, the guest pulls a random “jewel” that features a mission involving Hong Seok Cheon.
This time, the mission drawn for the two idols was to give Hong Seok Cheon as much “skinship” as they liked. Kim Junmin went first, kissing his hand then pressing it to Hong Seok Cheon’s cheek.
[Video could not be displayed]
Then, when LeeJeong‘s turn came up, Hong Seok Cheon pulled him close in order to kiss his cheek.
[Video could not be displayed]
This clip was reposted on X, where it sparked discussion.
Many accused Hong Seok Cheon of sexual harassment, even wishing that the show would be “scrapped.”
이프로그램좀ㅃㄹ폐지했음좋겠음
뭐하는거야피해자만벌써몇명임?재미도없고감동도없고토나와요진짜개불쌍해 https://t.co/jNy9Kg60Ww
— 고등어냄새주의 (@iamhaneumswife) February 10, 2026
I really wish this program would be taken off the air already.
What are they even doing? How many victims are there by now?
It’s not funny, it’s not moving, it honestly makes me sick.
They’re seriously so pitiful.
— OP
난 이런 게 진짜 퀴어차별이라고 생각한다
여자가 남자한테 뽀뽀 혹은 남자가 여자한테 뽀뽀 햇으면 진짜 뒤집어졋을거고 애초에 상상조차 할 수 없는 일인데
게이니까 다들 웃으면거 넘기는 거 진짜 아니라고본다 ㅉ 명백한 성추행이지 https://t.co/2UFb3tval5
— 괭광 (@rhgowns12) February 10, 2026
I genuinely think this is queer discrimination.
If a woman kissed a man, or a man kissed a woman, people would have completely lost their minds—and it wouldn’t even be imaginable in the first place.
But because it’s gay, everyone just laughs it off, and that’s really not okay.
Seriously… this is clearly sexual harassment.
— OP
I need them to stop doing this because it’s getting creepier. They are making us who suffered enough get more discrimination https://t.co/8ArSInVBSd
— Ivann :# (@zhou_anxin) February 10, 2026
You can watch the episode below.
Previously, Hong Seok Cheon was criticized over his comments about CORTIS.
“Future Gems…” Hong Seok Cheon’s Comments About Underage CORTIS Triggers Concern