During the precarious session, the actor drank alcohol, made self-deprecating remarks, and dismissed viewers’ pleas to end the stream by noting that most people in Korea would be asleep.
An Intoxicated Morning Broadcast on Social Media
Actor Choi Hyun-wook sparked renewed criticism following a live broadcast conducted in a heavily intoxicated state. Streaming via his social media account on the morning of August 30, the actor appeared before the camera holding a glass of alcohol while repeatedly stating that he was heavily drunk and shifting the camera angle several times as he appeared disoriented.
As comments poured in from both domestic and international viewers, the broadcast took a rambling turn. Choi addressed the international audience by noting that translation systems would sort themselves out while emphasizing that people needed to treat Korean individuals well. During the stream, he also offered self-deprecating remarks about his physical appearance.
“I look really ugly right now. It’s because I’m a pig.”
Choi Hyun-wook, via Herald POP
Fan Concerns Brushed Aside During the Stream
As the disoriented behavior and drinking continued, fans flooded the chat with expressions of worry and urged the actor to terminate the broadcast immediately. Rather than logging off, Choi dismissed the warnings by pointing out the early morning hour in South Korea.
“Koreans are probably asleep by now. At 7:28 a.m., there’s no one awake. I’m drunk.”
Choi Hyun-wook, via Chosun
He further elaborated on his mood during the stream, stating that he felt happy to communicate freely without interference. At this hour, there’s no one to stop me, and I’m so happy. I don’t know if the translation will be good, but I’m really happy,
he remarked, explaining that his comments regarding Koreans were intended to remind overseas viewers to treat local fans well while translation tools handled the language barrier.
Fan Reactions and Division Over the Incident
While the broadcast drew sharp criticism across entertainment reporting, reactions among his supporters varied significantly. Some followers contacted media outlets to defend the stream as harmless fun rather than a serious incident.
Supporters told reporting outlets that the actor merely chatted for roughly five minutes in a playful manner, arguing that viewers watching the full video would recognize it was not a major problem. Fans maintained that his remarks were delivered in jest rather than seriousness, with one supporter remarking on the double standards of public scrutiny toward drinking on digital platforms.
A Pattern of Past Controversies and Public Apologies
The morning broadcast added to a growing list of controversies that have followed the rising young actor. Previous incidents include a 2023 penalty and handwritten apology after he was caught on camera smoking and discarding a cigarette butt on Seoul’s Apgujeong Rodeo Street, as well as an accidental mirror reflection of his nude body in a prop photo posted online.
More recently, Choi faced fierce backlash during a KBO postseason game when he threw a fastball over the head of a child ceremonial batter despite his background as a baseball player, leaving the mound without an immediate apology before later issuing a formal letter through his agency.
Professional Standing Amid Off-Screen Scrutiny
Despite the recurring controversies, the actor maintains a strong footprint in hit television projects. He gained widespread recognition through notable roles in acclaimed dramas including Twenty-Five Twenty-One,
Sparkling Watermelon,
D.P.,
and Weak Hero Class 1,
alongside his recent appearance in the Netflix series The Boy in the Last Row
alongside Choi Min-sik.
During a promotional interview for his recent Netflix work, Choi reflected on his personal growth and career responsibility. As an actor and a person, I am striving to mature and move forward in life. I reflected a lot, and while filming with good people and meeting senior actors, I took responsibility. From now on, I want to immerse viewers only through my work without such incidents,
he stated, adding that he hopes to maintain caution and continue in the industry for a long time as his love for the profession deepens.
