A Male Star Faces Backlash for Insensitive Remarks Following Kim Sae Ron’s Death
On February 18, actor Lee Jong Hyuk posted a message in memory of Kim Sae Ron on his personal social media account. He wrote, “Sae Ron… my little neighbor, who shared the same birthday as me. Rest in peace. I didn’t even get the chance to buy you a glass of soju… I hope you can smile there.”
While seemingly heartfelt, his message quickly sparked controversy among Korean netizens. The phrase “I didn’t even get the chance to buy you a glass of soju” drew heavy criticism, as Kim Sae Ron had been involved in a serious drunk-driving scandal during her lifetime. Many netizens condemned Lee Jong Hyuk’s choice of words, saying, “Considering her past, wouldn’t ‘a meal’ have been a better choice than ‘a glass of soju’?” and “As a public figure, he should have been more careful.“
Sports Chosun raised the question, “Do we really need to scrutinize and police every expression of mourning?” In recent years, many celebrities have faced severe backlash for their condolence messages, as the public closely monitors how stars pay tribute to their late colleagues.
In December 2023, actor Shin Hyun Joon sparked outrage after posting a photo of himself bringing alcohol and food to the location where Lee Sun Kyun had passed away. Netizens harshly criticized the post, saying, “I can’t believe he publicly shared an image of the scene where his colleague died” and “He should have gone to the funeral home instead of visiting the park where Lee Sun Kyun was found.” The backlash led Shin Hyun Joon to delete his post.
Similarly, singer Harim faced criticism after posting a tribute to Lee Sun Kyun that read, “I believe he made this decision because he felt betrayed by the public and punished by their prying eyes. Please forgive this cruel world.” However, the illustration he used—The Muse’s Revenge—was seen as inappropriate, as it symbolized criticism of the male-dominated art industry. Following public backlash, Harim deleted his post. Songwriter Kim Eana and actor Lee Ji Hoon were also forced to take down their tributes to Lee Sun Kyun, as netizens accused them of being preachy rather than genuinely mourning the late actor.
The latest controversy surrounding Lee Jong Hyuk’s tribute to Kim Sae Ron follows a similar pattern. Sports Chosun pointed out that regardless of who is mourning, how they mourn, or even whether they choose to mourn at all, public scrutiny has reached an alarming new level. At its core, grief is a deeply personal experience. However, in an era where social media amplifies outrage, even expressing condolences for a lost friend or colleague has become a potential source of controversy. As public scrutiny continues to intensify, one can’t help but wonder, “Has grief ceased to be a private matter?“
