The common point that makes Song Joong Ki and Lee Seung Gi “ostracized” by most audiences is related to marriage.
Song Joong Ki and Lee Seung Gi have been the most loved and sought after male actors in Korea since entering the entertainment industry. However, in 2023, both of their careers and reputations suddenly took a noticeable step backwards.
Many netizens even believe that Song Joong Ki and Lee Seung Gi are the “most hated” Korean actors of 2023. The main reason comes from both of their marriages.
Song Joong Ki
Talking about the current Song Joong Ki, besides famous works such as: Vincenzo or The Tycoon’s Youngest Boy, the public will often mention the short marriage between the actor and Song Hye Kyo.
When the divorce broke out in 2019, most people tended to think that Song Joong Ki proactively announced the divorce news because Song Hye Kyo was at fault in this marriage. But after 4 years, that trend has gradually changed, especially when Song Joong Ki announced his marriage and had children with former British actress Katy Louise Saunders.
Even when Song Joong Ki announced his marriage publicly, there were many suspicions online that the actor met his British wife only 5 months after announcing his divorce from Song Hye Kyo. Everyone realizes that, since the time he publicly announced his love affair with the former British actor, every word and action of Song Joong Ki has been “enthusiastically scrutinized” by the online community.
Many netizens also “unearthed” Song Joong Ki’s old promise to Song Hye Kyo and compared it to what the actor said when announcing his marriage to his foreign wife. At the same time, Song Joong Ki only knows how to promise beautiful words.
Song Joong Ki was also criticized when he said: “Being a husband and father means losing many job opportunities in the entertainment industry” during an interview while attending the Cannes Film Festival. This statement by Song Joong Ki received negative reactions from the public. They believe that this point of view of the male actor clearly shows gender inequality. Because male artists don’t actually have to take a long break to have children like female artists.
Not only that, the public also gave a lot of evidence from male artists such as: Ji Sung, Lee Byung Hun, Kwon Sang Woo, most recently Hyun Bin… they are still active and even achieving more success than after. when getting married and having children.
After receiving criticism, Song Joong Ki apologized but explained that the content of his interview had a translation error and was distorted. Of course, these explanations from Song Joong Ki are still not enough to convince the public.
Or at the end of October 2023, a short clip appeared online recording the moment the media quickly interviewed Song Joong Ki when the actor was at the airport. In this clip, a reporter asked a question related to Song Joong Ki’s son: “Have you decided what to name your son?”. As soon as the reporter finished the question, Song Joong Ki immediately replied: “Why should I tell you?”.
As soon as the clip spread, Song Joong Ki was “stoned” by a part of the online community. They believe that the male actor Song has an unfriendly and condescending attitude towards the media. Of course, besides the criticism, many people also defended him, saying that Song Joong Ki simply did not want his private life to be scrutinized too much.
Lee Seung Gi
Like Song Joong Ki, Lee Seung Gi also changed from “national son-in-law” to “national stepchild” after marrying Lee Da In – daughter of Kyun Mi Ri. In fact, since publicizing her dating relationship with Lee Da In, Lee Seung Gi’s fans have expressed strong opposition, because they believe that Kyun Mi Ri is not worthy of an idol.
Entering the entertainment industry as a singer, Lee Seung Gi is known and admired by the public thanks to many quality television works. Among them, the most notable is “Famous Princesses”. Thanks to this work, Lee Seung Gi was given the title “national son-in-law” by the public. It can be said that Lee Seung Gi not only possesses fame through music and cinema but also as an MC with many famous shows. His scandal-free private life is also what makes Lee Seung Gi attract fans.
But everything changed when Lee Seung Gi dated and married Lee Da In. The public did not have much sympathy for Lee Da In when she was the daughter of Kyun Mi Ri – who was once investigated for stock manipulation. Her new husband was also arrested for the same behavior. As for Kyun Mi Ri’s ex-husband, he was previously caught in prison for obstructing business and causing trouble. With such a scandalous family “profile” related to the law, it is understandable that Lee Da In is considered unworthy of Lee Seung Gi by the public.
Facing fans’ opposition, Lee Seung Gi still insisted on marrying and protecting Lee Da In. While participating in a program, Lee Seung Gi gave many compliments to his wife. “I worried a lot about how I would live after marriage, but the person I married is a very good friend and our values align. So I think I will be able to do everything well,” Lee Seung Gi shared.
Not only being criticized, Lee Seung Gi’s career is also said to be on the decline. The proof is that Lee Seung Gi’s “The Dreamer’s Dream” tour has fallen into a situation where tickets are in short supply, with no one buying them. Meanwhile, before that, the male actor was considered one of the stars with the fastest “sold out” tour in Korea. Accordingly, the show in Korea only has a capacity of 477 seats and cannot “sold out” tickets. A similar situation also occurs in some places in Southeast Asia. Even Lee Seung Gi had to cancel his concert in America. The reason is said to be because no one bought tickets.
In early November 2023, the management company confirmed that Lee Da In is pregnant with her first child. As expected, Lee Seung Gi and Lee Da In will become parents in 2024.
