Lee Min-ho Faces Challenges: Drama Flop and False Dating Rumors

This year has been challenging for actor Lee Min-ho, with a series of unfortunate events. Not only did his recent drama fail to impress, but he also found himself embroiled in unexpected dating rumors. The actor, who has been labeled as not living up to his leading role, now also carries the tag of 'Park Bom's husband.'

tvN's 'Ask the Stars' concluded on the 23rd amid harsh criticism. This was Lee Min-ho's return to television after five years, with a massive production budget of 50 billion won, but the results were disappointing. The drama, set in a space station, was anticipated as a first of its kind in Korea but left viewers disillusioned. The excessive use of bed scenes and discussions of sperm, eggs, and mating failed to resonate with the audience, who criticized the show for its frivolous treatment of sexuality.

The space bed scenes between Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin elicited more awkward laughter than excitement. Consequently, the ratings plummeted to as low as 1%. As 'Ask the Stars' was deemed a failure, criticism was directed at the lead actors. Both Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin are high-profile actors, and a significant portion of the production budget was allocated to their salaries. Viewers noted a lack of chemistry between the two and criticized their performances as unchanged from previous works. Particularly for Lee Min-ho, this marks another setback following the underwhelming performance of 'The King: Eternal Monarch,' shaking his standing as a top star.

Amidst this, an unintended personal issue arose. Singer Park Bom fueled 'fake dating rumors' by referring to Lee Min-ho as 'my husband.' Park Bom posted photos with Lee Min-ho three times, in September last year and on the 12th and 15th of this month, calling him 'my husband' and 'truly my husband.' Her agency dismissed it as a fan's playful act, but the public criticized Park Bom for her persistent self-created rumors. On the 19th, Park Bom expressed her frustration, stating, 'I wrote it because it's true.'

Lee Min-ho, who had remained silent on the dating rumors, finally addressed the issue on the 20th. His agency clarified, 'Lee Min-ho and Park Bom have no personal acquaintance, and the rumors are unfounded.' Following Lee Min-ho's statement, Park Bom admitted, 'I am actually alone,' and explained, 'Lee Min-ho asked me to post it, but I am clarifying that I am single.'

Although Lee Min-ho is merely a victim of the self-created dating rumors, the incident has impacted his image. As a Hallyu star, known for his roles in popular romance dramas like 'Boys Over Flowers' and 'The Heirs,' the scandal with Park Bom does him no favors. His eventual statement seems to indicate a desire to prevent further damage.

As Lee Min-ho marks his 20th year in the industry, the year has started on a challenging note. He is set to appear in the film 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' in July, based on a popular web novel, which has fans eagerly anticipating its release. It remains to be seen if Lee Min-ho can overcome the setbacks of the first half of the year and find success with 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint.'

By Taeyuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr