K-dramas often demand intense performances, but some actors take method acting—a technique of deeply immersing in a character's mindset and physicality—to extremes that lead to health breakdowns, on-set incidents, and even halting filming.

While dedication is admirable, these cases highlight when it crosses into disruption, sparking criticism from fans, crews, and the industry. From drastic weight changes causing blackouts to emotional immersion triggering departures, here's a look at seven notable examples.

1. Kim Jung-hyun in "Time"

Kim Jung-hyun, known for "Crash Landing on You," faced massive backlash during the 2018 MBC drama "Time" for his alleged rude behavior toward co-star Seohyun. He initially claimed it was method acting to embody his character's distant, troubled personality, refusing skinship scenes, wiping his hands after contact, and avoiding greetings.

This led to multiple script rewrites, Seohyun reportedly crying on set, and his abrupt exit midway citing "health issues," forcing the production to adjust the storyline and reshoot scenes. Later revelations tied his actions to influence from then-girlfriend Seo Yea-ji, but the initial method acting excuse drew criticism for disrupting the team.

2. Seo Yea-ji in "Save Me"

Seo Yea-ji, star of "It's Okay to Not Be Okay," immersed herself deeply in her cult victim role for the 2017 OCN thriller "Save Me." To capture the character's trauma, she lived in isolation, listened to depressing music nonstop, and avoided social interactions, leading to severe sleep paralysis, nightmares, and clinical depression that persisted post-filming.

This overcommitment disrupted her ability to separate from the role, requiring a long hiatus and therapy, which indirectly affected her availability for promotions and future projects. She later regretted the intensity, sparking debates on the risks of unchecked method acting in high-pressure K-drama schedules.

3. Ji Sung in "Connection"

Veteran actor Ji Sung, famed for "Kill Me, Heal Me," pushed method acting to extremes in the 2024 SBS drama "Connection," playing a narcotics officer descending into addiction. He lost 15 kg rapidly through starvation dieting, resulting in extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, and mental fog that made filming challenging.

Crew members noted his struggles during intense scenes, and the physical toll raised concerns about safety on set, potentially delaying shoots as he recovered between takes. Critics argued his immersion, while praised for authenticity, highlighted how overzealous transformations can burden productions with health risks.

4. Park Min-young in "Marry My Husband"

Park Min-young, known for "What's Wrong with Secretary Kim?", took method acting far for her terminally ill character in the 2024 tvN hit "Marry My Husband."

She dropped 37kg by surviving on ion drinks and minimal food, appearing gaunt and pale, which pushed her health to the brink and nearly caused collapses on set. This extreme weight loss disrupted filming schedules due to her weakened state, requiring adjustments for her energy levels and sparking fan criticism over the industry's pressure for such dangerous commitments.

5. Kim Sung-oh in "Missing You"

Kim Sung-oh, seen in "Fight for My Way," embodied a serial killer in the 2012 MBC drama "Missing You" through aggressive method acting. He lost 16 kg in four weeks on a starvation diet with little sleep, leading to a blackout during an intense strangling scene that halted production temporarily for medical checks.

His gaunt appearance enhanced the role but drew backlash for endangering himself and the crew, as the incident could have led to injuries or further delays in the tight K-drama filming timeline.

6. Shin Ye-eun in "The Glory"

Rising star Shin Ye-eun, from "He Is Psychometric," delved into method acting for her bully role in the 2022-2023 Netflix series "The Glory." Immersing in the character's cruelty caused her to break down multiple times on set, especially during violent scenes like one with a curling iron, leading to nightmares and needing earplugs to sleep.

This emotional overimmersion disrupted her focus, requiring retakes when she couldn't stay in character after seeing co-star Song Hye-kyo cry, and extended her recovery time post-production, prompting criticism about the psychological toll on young actors.

7. Han Hyo-joo in "Believer 2"

Han Hyo-joo, beloved for "W: Two Worlds," extended her method acting from K-dramas into the 2023 film "Believer 2," but her approach echoes disruptions seen in her TV work. For the ruthless enforcer role, she used prosthetics, harsh makeup, and deeply studied borderline personality disorder, pushing to emotional collapse during training sessions.

While primarily a film, this mirrors her intense immersions in dramas like "Dong Yi," where similar overcommitments have led to reported fatigue affecting shoot efficiency. Critics note how such extremes can ripple into production delays due to actor burnout.