Was Hong Suk Chun denied his role in 'Jang Ok Jung' because he's gay?

[ceecile.livejournal.com]

Article: Has Hong Suk Chun committed a crime?

Source: OSEN via Naver

Article that talks about how he's widely recognized as a talented actor but how the fact that he's openly gay is making the industry close their doors on him. He had previously revealed on an episode of 'Radio Star' this month that he was in discussion for a casting in a historical drama starring Kim Tae Hee (Jang Ok Jung) but a few days later, the drama's producers came out and announced that "It is not the truth at all."

The journalist doubts he would've even mentioned it if he really wasn't in discussion for a role and mentions how Hong Suk Chun has been denied roles throughout his career since coming out.

1. [+167, -13] Suk Chun hyung is not someone we can hate or speak about any way we want to. He has his own successful restaurant and is trying to make the most of his life. He seems like a fun person and definitely a way better person than the people that refuse to watch TV because he's on the screen.

2. [+155, -8] Gay or not, all he wants to do is act, what does his sexual preference have anything to do with it?

3. [+121, -15] So many weird people in this world... If you don't want to watch him, then don't. Don't sit there saying he's dirty or whatever.

4. [+108, -7] I don't like gays but I think it's wrong that they're not letting him work... The producers were out of line announcing it to the media like that. What does that make Hong Suk Chun then, a liar?

5. [+104, -9] This is how pathetic Korea is

OSEN via Naver | Netizenbuzz

Comments

[asnindie.livejournal.com]

Someone tell this to all the people who claim gay men can't be in romantic films because it gets rid of the authenticity of it.

[laceandskin.livejournal.com]

"[+108, -7] I don't like gays but..."

Fuck you then.

[angel-9-lives.livejournal.com]

on one hand, I agree completely, but on the other...at least they recognize that their (and others') dislike doesn't mean he should be discriminated against...it's a step in the right direction :S

[45s.livejournal.com]

Lol ikr. Why even preface the statement with that bullshit

[22by7.livejournal.com]

isn't leesong hee il ('no regrets') an openly gay film director? yeah it's something i've wondered about too.

[stephantasm.livejournal.com]

ugh

[burger.livejournal.com]

definitely a way better person than the people that refuse to watch TV because he's on the screen.

bravo, that netizen!

[aifurikuri.livejournal.com]

I'm so mad for him.

[memorian.livejournal.com]

I like the fact that even tho who ever wrote this doesn't agree with the fact that he's gay, he still believes that he should have the same rights as any other actor. Why are they acting like being gay is some disease you can catch, it's disgusting.

[purekpopology.livejournal.com]

It's awful he's getting denied opportunities because of his orientation, but it was really good to see the netizens sticking up for him. It gives me hope that as the younger generation in Korea gets older and starts taking more leadership/adult roles in the society some real change might be scene in regards to this.

[supplanter.livejournal.com]

Mixed feelings about the wording (although they are translated), but I'm not korean and it seems this should be considered reasonably enlightened, and at least these were the upvoted comments....

At the same time, some of these comments seem kind of naive; as long as there are (enough) people who state they will refuse to watch something he is in, can anyone expect the producers to just ignore that? :\ Maybe at some point a production will be able to get bonus points just for casting gay actors and liberal-minded individuals will state that they now have more interest in watching than before and this will no longer be an issue. (Well, hopefully it will become a non-issue and that situation will expire, because it's kind of questionable just to watch something because someone gay is involved....)

[gray-fairy.livejournal.com]

I don't like gays
smh -__-

[asnindie.livejournal.com]

Atleast the person said that everyone should have the same rights. That's progress.

[tempestdance.livejournal.com]

The producers then released another statement about how it wasn't really an official offer. Hong Suk Chun came out ten years ago - I don't think they would have offered (unofficially or not) the role in the first place if him being gay had anything to do with it.

Also let's not go crazy on that one netizen comment about not liking gays - you can't force someone to like something, and the point of his comment was that while he may not like it (which probably meant something like he's not comfortable with them), he does believe that it's wrong to prevent Hong Suk Chun from working.

This entire shenanigan was a full of he-said and she-said and while it was rude of the producers to claim that they never offered him the role, Hong Suk Chun should have been more serious about keeping secrecy, since nothing was ever confirmed and announced about the drama.

[ceecile.livejournal.com]

IA

[sergel02.livejournal.com]

Also let's not go crazy on that one netizen comment about not liking gays - you can't force someone to like something, and the point of his comment was that while he may not like it (which probably meant something like he's not comfortable with them), he does believe that it's wrong to prevent Hong Suk Chun from working.
This please.

[laceandskin.livejournal.com]

If that comment about not liking gays was about black people everyone would be outraged.

[unicornios.livejournal.com]

1. [+167, -13] Suk Chun hyung is not someone we can hate or speak about any way we want to. He has his own successful restaurant and is trying to make the most of his life. He seems like a fun person and definitely a way better person than the people that refuse to watch TV because he's on the screen.

MTE.

[asnindie.livejournal.com]

Producers will no matter what look to be careful because you never know when netizens turn on your production. Just look the mom brigade that went against Life is Beautiful, it's a shame but hopefully one day he can get a role.

[sweetemerald513.livejournal.com]

"I don't like gays." Then STFU

"Gay or not, all he wants to do is act, what does his sexual preference have anything to do with it?" Spill that tea.

[very-pinku.livejournal.com]

It's unfair that sexual orientation is even considered a reason on why someone shouldn't even have an opportunity to act.
Why can a guy like Choi Min Soo who has been charged with assault and battery come back on screen while he can't?
Isn't someone who hurt others way more harmful?

But yeah...i don't understand...

[sosyndicate.livejournal.com]

Very good point re: Choi Min Soo. I really hope that the netizens' mostly supportive statements signal a coming change in Korea's views on homosexuality.

[shineebambi.livejournal.com]

most of those comments give me a little bit of hope that korea is becoming more open minded

[muzegrey.livejournal.com]

I mean it's possible he might just suck or not fit the character he tried out for... but if the reason is that he is gay, that's freaking stupid. He's already popular and is able to return to variety and kids see him all the time there, I can't imagine what more "damage" he could do simply showing up an acting as a character.