Actor Choi Hyun-wook went live on Instagram in the early hours of August 30 and appeared clearly intoxicated, speaking freely while fans tried to get him to end the stream. He noticed the high number of international viewers in the comments and remarked that translation would probably handle itself, then added that they should treat Koreans well. He also mocked his own appearance, calling himself a pig, and when concerned fans urged him to stop, he replied that Koreans would be asleep at that hour so no one was around to stop him.
Choi, has built a solid following through roles that showcased both intensity and vulnerability. He first gained wider notice in Twenty-Five Twenty-One and Weak Hero Class 1, then delivered a memorable turn in Twinkling Watermelon. This year he starred opposite veteran Choi Min-sik in the Netflix series Notes from the Last Row (also referred to as The Boy in the Last Row), playing a enigmatic student whose presence unsettles a literature professor. The project marked a shift into darker, more restrained territory and earned him praise for subtle performance choices. He is also attached to the upcoming film Vampire directed by Jang Jae-hyun, which brings Yoo Ah-in back to the screen.
This is not the first time Choi’s off-screen behavior has drawn attention. In 2023 he was filmed discarding a cigarette butt on Apgujeong Rodeo Street, paid a fine, and issued a handwritten apology. Other episodes, including a 2024 social-media photo that accidentally reflected a nude silhouette and a ceremonial first-pitch incident that came too close to a young batter, have kept public scrutiny close.
International fans have split in their responses. Clips of the livestream circulated quickly, with some viewers treating the comments as the rambling of someone who had been drinking and urging others not to over-interpret a tipsy stream. Others found the public display by a working actor careless and questioned the “treat Koreans well” line in particular. Korean online discussion has been more uniformly critical, focusing on the responsibility that comes with a public profile and the pattern of past missteps.
Choi has previously said he reflects on controversies and aims to present a more mature image. Whether this latest episode prompts a formal statement or simply fades remains to be seen, but it arrives at a moment when his recent Netflix work had positioned him for continued momentum.