JTBC's new K-drama "Surely Tomorrow," starring Park Seo Joon and Won Ji An, started airing on December 6, 2025 (KST), with high anticipation. However, viewers soon changed the topic to the show's unexpected editing decisions.
The first episode of the drama sent audiences into surprise as many described it as overly blurry, "literally steamy."
Criticism arose shortly after the broadcast as online communities began discussing the production's decision to soften the appearance of Park, who plays both younger and older versions of his character. Koreaboo reported the editing might've been intended to make the 36-year-old actor appear younger in flashback scenes.
"Perhaps in an attempt to make the 36-year-old male lead younger (as he plays the younger versions of his character), the production seemingly used a blur effect," Koreaboo noted.
The effect smoothed out Park's features but also gave the episode a dreamlike haze that many found distracting. Some viewers even joked that the editing gave them the impression of being enveloped in a cloud of steam.
Discussions on theqoo captured the humorous frustration of fans who struggled with the softened visuals.
Read more: Park Seo Joon Wins Image Rights Lawsuit: Restaurant Fined for Using His Face Without Consent
"While this did hide Park Seo Joon's blemishes and wrinkles, it also created what viewers have since dubbed a 'beauty filter' look," Koreaboo added.
Online forum users remained perplexed and amused, contributing a flurry of reactions that swept across Korean communities in no time. Comments ranged from confused to comic on theqoo, all reflecting one sentiment that the blur effect was overkill.
Reactions ranged from "What is this, a dream?" and "I see the world like this when I'm wearing my glasses and a mask."
Others chimed in with, "POV: You're a steamed bun in a steamer," and "Watching this makes me feel like my vision's going bad."
Despite the comic tone, some viewers were genuinely alarmed by the overall quality of the picture. There were also discussions again regarding the earlier controversy on the 11-year age gap between the leads and speculation that the editing choices may have been influenced by those concerns.
As one viewer put it, "That said, yes, the whole episode was very blurry."Audiences will be closely monitoring in the coming weeks to see if "Surely Tomorrow" changes up its visual style for future episodes.
