South Korean actor Kim Sung-cheol apologises after offensive poll involving female K-Pop idols: 'A careless action...'

Actor Kim Sung-cheol has issued an apology following his involvement in a poll linked to controversial content involving female idols. The poll, which was shared by an Instagram account notorious for posting slow-motion videos of female idol performances, sparked backlash for its inappropriate and offensive nature toward the artists involved.

On February 3, Kim Sung-cheol’s agency, Story J Company, addressed the incident with a statement, acknowledging the mistake. A representative clarified, "He understands the harm caused by his thoughtless action. However, it's not true that he actively followed or consumed content from the account, as some have suggested. Upon realising the account's controversial nature, he immediately retracted his vote."

The agency expressed regret over the impact on other artists, stating, "We deeply apologise for the unintended consequences this may have caused to other performers and their agencies." They also assured fans that Kim Sung Cheol would be more mindful of his social media activity moving forward to prevent any future missteps.

Sung-cheol made his television debut in 2017 as Kim Young-cheol in Prison Playbook. He gained recognition for his performances in The Battle of Jangsari (2019), Do You Like Brahms? (2020), Our Beloved Summer (2021), and Hellbound (2024).

Sung-cheol also made his mark in the world of musical theater, debuting in Puberty in 2014. His stage credits include roles in My Bucket List, Werther, and Fan Letter. The actor has also appeared in several films, including Too Hot to Die, Troll Factory, The Night Owl, and Search Out.