South Korean actor Ha Jung Woo has apologized after facing criticism for using an inappropriate nickname during a social media interaction with a fan.
On July 21, Ha's agency, Work House Company, issued a statement acknowledging the incident and expressing regret.
"We would like to offer our deepest apologies to those who were inconvenienced by our artist's SNS," the agency said.
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The controversy started when Ha, famous for his roles in Along with the Gods and The Chaser, interacted with fans online.
When a fan named Choi asked him for a nickname, he responded with "Aphrodisiac." Many people found this term inappropriate and offensive.
Although the comment has since been deleted, it sparked significant public backlash. In response, Ha Jung-woo reportedly reached out to the fan directly to apologize and explained that his comment was unintentional and thoughtless.
"I promise to be more careful and cautious with my words and actions when communicating with fans in the future," Ha said in a statement through his agency.
The agency supported this, stating, "The actor also contacted fans directly to apologize and talk to them. We again express our sincere apologies to everyone affected."
This incident shows the growing attention on how celebrities engage on social media. Fans valued Ha's quick response and straightforward apology. The situation points out the importance of careful communication, particularly in public.
Ha Jung-woo's management emphasized his commitment to respectful engagement in the future. They assured fans that the actor takes this matter seriously.
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