Drunk driving Kwak Do-won and Bae Seong-woo, drug driving Choi Seung-hyeon
Firefighter, Lighting Store, Squid Game 2 to be released in December
(From left) Actors Kwak Do-won, Bae Seong-woo, and Choi Seung-hyun.[사진출처=연합뉴스, 아시아경제DB]
The films starring actors who have been convicted of drunk driving and drug use will be released one after another next month.
Actor Kwak Do-won returns to the screen two years after causing controversy for drunk driving. Distributor Bypoem Studio announced that the movie ‘Firefighter’ starring Kwak Do-won will be released in December. Directed by director Kwak Gyeong-taek, who made the movie ‘Friend’ (2001), this work is based on an actual arson incident that occurred in a house in Hongje-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul in 2001. It depicts the story of firefighters deployed with the goal of rescuing everyone. Kwak Do-won played the role of a firefighter in the play.
After finishing filming in 2020, ‘Firefighter’ has not been able to set a release date due to the aftermath of COVID-19. Then, in September 2022, Kwak Do-won was caught for drunk driving in Jeju City. At the time of arrest, his blood alcohol content was 0.158%, which was more than twice the level for license cancellation (0.08%). After this fact became known, the film’s release was postponed indefinitely.
Kwak Do-won does not participate in the film’s promotional schedule. His exclusive contract with his entertainment agency has expired. The online video service (OTT) TV original series ‘Villains’, in which he appeared, was hit with an injunction to ban broadcasting, and KBS even temporarily suspended him from appearing.
‘Lighting Store’ still, ‘Firefighter’ poster[사진출처=월트디즈니코리아, 바이포엠스튜디오]
Actor Bae Seong-woo was caught behind the wheel of a car after drinking alcohol in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul in November 2020. At the time of arrest, the blood alcohol content was over 0.08%, which was at the level of license revocation. Afterwards, he withdrew from the work he was appearing in and self-reflected, but returned with the global OTT Netflix series ‘The Eight Show’. The movie ‘Boston 1947’, which was filmed before the drunk driving incident, was also released, but there was no promotional activity.
Afterwards, he was cast in the new series ‘Lighting Store’ produced by OTT Disney+ and directed by actor Kim Hee-won. It is an adaptation of the webtoon of the same name by author Kang Full. The story unfolds when customers with suspicious secrets come to a lighting store and will be revealed on the 4th of next month.
The sequel to ‘Squid Game’ (2021), which caused a worldwide syndrome, will be released next month. Following the previous film, director Hwang Dong-hyuk directs the second film. The casting lineup was announced in the early stages of production, and when Choi Seung-hyun (Top), a member of the group Big Bang, was included, a boycott movement arose online.
In October 2016, Choi Seung-hyun was found guilty of smoking marijuana four times, twice in cigarette form and twice in liquid form, at his home. As criticism grew, Choi Seung-hyun announced through a comment on his social networking service (SNS), “I am leaving Big Bang.” He even hinted at retirement, saying, “There will be no comeback in Korea.” When the news of Choi Seung-hyun’s return was announced, it faced a strong backlash, but Netflix and Director Hwang continued filming while keeping quiet about the content, ahead of its release in December.
Cast of ‘Squid Game 2’[사진출처=넷플릭스]
The prevailing view is that the news that the appearances of actors caught on drunk driving and drug charges will be released one after another next month is viewed with disapproval. The response is that it is difficult for audiences and viewers to fully immerse themselves in works featuring actors who have caused social controversy. As antipathy toward actors who easily return after a short period of self-reflection is growing, there is a growing consensus that we should not actively consume content in which they appear.
Over the past five years, a total of 75,950 traffic accidents were confirmed due to drunk driving. In particular, there were 1,161 deaths and 122,566 injuries, showing a casualty ratio of 163% compared to accidents. Recently, drug crimes have also been on the rise. Some are concerned that making it easier for actors who have been suffering from drunk driving or drug addiction to return could lead to moral hazard.
Reporter Lee Yi-seul ssmoly6@asiae.co.kr
