An increasing pattern of Korean dramas with top actors from the same agencies has caused controversy among viewers and producers, reopening issues of fairness in casting.

The feud has been brought to the forefront by Netflix's 'Squid Game Season 2,' which features Park Sung-hoon and Lee Jin-wook, both from the same agency as Squid Game lead Lee Byung-hun, as well as Choi Seung-hyun (T.O.P), who was reportedly close with Lee Jung-jae.

Director Hwang Dong-hyuk responded to the complaint head-on. "I don't cast based on connections or friendships. I did that once when I was a rookie, and I regretted it so much," he said.

The pattern goes beyond the world of Netflix. New and forthcoming dramas like tvN's 'Unknown Seoul' with Park Bo-young and Park Jin-young.

JTBC's 'Esquire' with Lee Jin-wook and Jung Chae-yeon, and JTBC's Efficient Meeting of Single Men and Women with Han Ji-min and Park Sung-hoon all emphasize convergent agency representation.

An actor-manager clarified why such overlaps take place. "The lead actor receives the script (screenplay) first, and it's essential for a manager to look at it and say, 'I have a kid who would be great for this role,'" he said.

"You can't force casting, but you can ask for auditions and meetings, right?"

An old director emphasized the significance of the casting strategy. "Casting is the most crucial step in finalizing programming or production," he stated.

"It's common to see actors from different companies working together to cast key actors who everyone covets and can sell overseas."

Fans are still split, however. One commenter at TheQoo came to the defense of the trend, commenting, "Just as top law school students apply to Kim & Chang, leading actors flock to agencies that produce hit dramas and provide excellent treatment.

Ignoring the experience of new actors and unconditionally disparaging actors from major agencies as unqualified is a form of slander."

Others complained. Another wrote, "It's okay if you have acting skills, but it's really annoying that the actors who act like slapstick are so bad at acting."

Though "agency bundling" worries linger, industry commentators say that once actors demonstrate on screen, audiences tend to be forgiving, implying performance is the ultimate seal of approval.