This year, the musical industry has been inundated with continuous controversies and turmoil.
As personal life scandals involving actors persist, both producers and audiences are expressing fatigue. In May, musical actor Jeon Ho-jun — known for his roles in Notre Dame de Paris, Wicked, Mamma Mia, Chicago, and Kinky Boots — was embroiled in allegations of assaulting his ex-partner. In June, actors Park Jun-hwi and Woo Jin-young, who were set to appear in the same project, withdrew amid infidelity rumors. Most recently, on November 3, actor Kim Jun-young decided to leave all productions he was involved in due to allegations of visiting entertainment establishments.
The controversy surrounding Jeon Ho-jun began with revelations from his ex-girlfriend in May.
Ms. A, his former partner, shared on Instagram, “I received messages from six women he was seeing at the same time as me,” and added, “If you have dated Jeon Ho-jun between June last year and May this year, please contact me. I plan to organize my writings and testimonies to reveal later.” She claimed to have suffered dating violence and was coerced into handing over 10 million KRW (approximately $7,500).
In response, Jeon Ho-jun contended via Instagram that the incident involved an unavoidable physical confrontation while detaining someone who had illegally entered his residence, asserting it was a case of self-defense. He claimed to be a victim of assault himself and shared photos showing blood on his head and eyes.
In a follow-up interview, he stated, “I notified Ms. A about our breakup three months ago, but the relationship was not amicably settled,” adding, “The person who assaulted Ms. A is not me, but her ex-boyfriend.” He also denied receiving any money from Ms. A and indicated that legal action would follow.
As a result of the controversy, Jeon Ho-jun voluntarily withdrew from the play The Tonight Show, where he was scheduled to perform. After about four months of silence, he resumed social media activity and stated, “I am currently undergoing legal proceedings, and if there are mistakes on my part, I will take responsibility.”
Before the dust settled on Jeon Ho-jun’s case, another shock hit the musical industry as infidelity allegations surfaced involving two actors scheduled to appear in the same production. The timing — just hours before their first performance — magnified the impact.
Actor Park Jun-hwi, who played Peter in Bare: The Musical, and actor Woo Jin-young, cast as Thana, became the center of controversy after a photo was posted on Park Jun-hwi’s Instagram on June 5. The image showed him in what appeared to be underwear, alongside Woo Jin-young bowing his head. Though the post was quickly deleted, it spread rapidly across social media and online communities. Speculated messages between the two were also leaked, fueling the rumors further. Reports later suggested the photo had been posted by Park Jun-hwi’s fiancée.
As the controversy escalated, the production company of Bare: The Musical announced, “The two actors will withdraw from the performance due to personal circumstances.” Producers of Nijinsky, another production involving Park Jun-hwi, also confirmed his withdrawal, leading to performance cancellations and emergency casting changes. At the time, Park Jun-hwi was nearing the end of Nijinsky and was set to appear in The Death of a Salesman and Bare: The Musical.
Even after their withdrawal, the controversy lingered. Park Jun-hwi posted a handwritten apology on social media, and his fiancée also shared a handwritten letter expressing her stance. In September, Park Jun-hwi completed scuba diving instructor training and shared, “I am starting a new journey. Please support me.”
Lastly, actor Kim Jun-young became the subject of heated discussion over the weekend following allegations of visiting entertainment establishments. The controversy began after a receipt photo was posted on Instagram following a restaurant visit. The receipt contained phrases presumably related to a woman and a monetary amount, prompting netizens to demand clarification and his withdrawal from current productions.
As the situation intensified, Kim Jun-young’s agency HJ Culture stated, “We clarify that the actor has not engaged in any illegal activities,” and added, “We will firmly respond to malicious dissemination of false information and defamation, including legal action if necessary.”
Despite the agency’s explanation, public sentiment remained cold. Online criticism mounted over what was perceived as an irresponsible response, and ticket cancellations followed. On the afternoon of November 3, HJ Culture officially announced, “Actor Kim Jun-young will leave all productions he is currently involved in.” The agency explained that consultations with each production team and stakeholder were necessary due to his multiple commitments and apologized for the delay in reaching a final decision.
This series of incidents has once again shaken trust in the musical industry. With each scandal causing discomfort for production companies, fellow actors, and audiences who cherish the stage, there is a growing call for industry-wide caution and accountability.