The public has shown great interest in the romance between Park Seo-joon and model-actress Lauren Tsai. As details about Lauren Tsai’s background and talents emerged, their relationship met with fierce opposition.
Surprisingly, it’s not Park Seo-joon’s fans but Lauren Tsai’s supporters who have expressed disapproval of the couple. They have taken to social media to openly criticize Park Seo-joon.
It is known that the backlash stems from the actor’s controversial comments about marriage in the past.
Specifically, in a 2014 interview, the South Korean actor revealed that his ideal woman is petite, with a gentle personality who seeks protection from her boyfriend. He expressed that strong, independent women intimidate him. He emphasized that he wants his future wife to be a homemaker, prioritizing family over a career.
“I prefer my wife not to be too career-driven. Instead, she should focus on taking care of the family. I believe my future wife should quit her job after marriage to care for our home. I grew up in such a family, and I think my children need to be nurtured by their mother. I’ve heard that childhood shapes one’s life views, and I believe in that,” Park Seo-joon shared.
This view of Park Seo-joon is heavily criticized when the interview resurfaced. Many felt disappointed, labeling the actor as old-fashioned, sexist, and selfish for placing the responsibility of homemaking solely on the woman. Some even said his words could hurt those not raised by their mothers.
Fans of Lauren Tsai, in particular, have been vocal, warning her about Park Seo-joon’s controlling nature. Comments like “Lauren Tsai, run away,” “She deserves better than him,” and “She will end up a housewife if she stays with him,” have flooded the model’s social media.
However, some believe that Park Seo-joon is being unfairly attacked. They argue the interview was taken out of context, as at the end of the interview, Park Seo-joon had emphasized, “If she wants to continue working, I will always respect and support her.” This shows that while he prefers a homemaker, he respects his partner’s decisions and is not authoritarian.
On the other hand, rumors about Park Seo-joon dating Lauren Tsai first emerged on May 24. At the time, Chinese media provided evidence of the couple frequently checking in at the same locations. Observers also spotted Lauren Tsai’s shoulder in a photo Park Seo-joon posted.
Media outlet iFeng reported that Park Seo-joon brought Lauren Tsai along on recent trips to the U.S. and Japan. Additionally, Lauren Tsai follows Park Seo-joon’s close friend, actor Choi Woo-sik, on social media. On May 25, intimate photos of Park Seo-joon and Lauren Tsai surfaced, showing them close to kissing. Park Seo-joon even allegedly hosted a party to introduce Lauren to his friends.
Following the dating rumors, Park Seo-joon’s representatives issued a brief statement, saying, “We cannot confirm this as it pertains to the artist’s personal life, not work-related schedules. Please understand.” Despite no direct confirmation from the couple, the mounting amount of evidence has led the public to believe they are indeed dating.
Source: K14, Wikitree