The Seoul International Drama Awards recently concluded its Asian Star Awards vote, running from June 15th to July 14th. Byun Woo-seok, known for his role in “Lovely Runner,” emerged as the No.1 winner in the Korean Men’s Popularity Award category with 49.53% of the vote. His co-star, Kim Hye-yoon, also topped the female stars list with 51.07% of the vote, underscoring the immense popularity of “Lovely Runner.”
Following the announcement, Byun Woo-seok expressed his gratitude to fans in an open chatroom he frequently uses. On July 15th, the actor simply said, “Thank you so much.” However, this message inadvertently sparked further public criticism amidst an ongoing security controversy.
The controversy began on July 12th, when Byun Woo-seok was seen at Incheon International Airport en route to a fan meeting in Hong Kong. A video showing Byun Woo-seok’s bodyguard using flashlights to direct airport passengers drew significant backlash. Witnesses reported that his bodyguards were excessively controlling, even checking the tickets of passengers in the lounge.
The incident escalated when a netizen filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission of Korea regarding the bodyguards’ behaviour. In response, Byun Woo-seok’s agency, Varo Entertainment, issued an official apology on July 15th.
Despite the apology, public criticism has not subsided. Byun Woo-seok’s thank-you message to fans, intended as a gesture of appreciation, was perceived by some as insincere given the recent events. This has led to intensified scrutiny of the actor and his agency.
Fans and the public alike are now focused on how Byun Woo-seok and Varo Entertainment will address the situation moving forward. The need for a genuine resolution and demonstration of sincerity is paramount to quell the controversy and restore the actor’s public image.
As the situation unfolds, the K-pop community awaits further actions from Byun Woo-seok and his agency to properly address the grievances and restore trust with their audience.
