TVING’s latest youth romance drama Fresh Romance has landed in hot water not for its storyline, but for its casting. The show has sparked an online storm, with netizens lambasting Son Dong-myung, one of the two male leads, for both his appearance and underwhelming acting performance.
Fresh Romance quietly premiered amidst a wave of highly anticipated Korean dramas, yet failed to capture significant media or public interest in its home country. Despite exploring the typically popular themes of youth and love triangles, the series has been largely ignored, and many point fingers at the cast’s lack of star power and “visual appeal.”
At the center of the controversy is Son Dong-myung, a former member of the K-pop group ONEUS, who plays Choi Min-jun, an idol navigating a complicated romantic entanglement with characters portrayed by Xion and Lee Chae-yeon. While his idol background made him a good fit for the role’s singing and dancing segments, critics say his transition to acting leaves much to be desired. Netizens argue that some of his emotional scenes come off as exaggerated, lacking nuance.
Yet it’s not just his acting that’s under fire. Son Dong-myung has been hit with harsh comments about his appearance, with some claiming he “has no good angles” and that even the drama’s filters “couldn’t save his face.” His visuals were seen as especially underwhelming when compared to his co-stars, particularly Xion, who was praised for his camera-friendly looks and later revealed to be Dong-myung’s real-life twin, further fueling the comparison.
One viral comment read:
“When you’re playing an idol on stage, you need charisma. Even though he’s a real idol, he had zero presence.”
Viewers also questioned the decision to cast Dong-myung as a lead, citing his lack of acting experience and perceived lack of screen appeal. Others voiced disappointment that his acting debut failed to capitalize on his near-decade-long career in the music industry.
Son Dong-myung debuted with ONEUS in 2019 and is also known under the stage name ONEWE. Despite his vocal and performance talents, he has struggled to break out as a top-tier star. Fans had high hopes for his acting career to be a turning point, but the backlash from Fresh Romance suggests it may be an uphill battle.
While some loyal fans continue to support him, the controversy surrounding Fresh Romance highlights the intense scrutiny idols face when crossing into the acting world, and the high expectations for visuals in Korea’s competitive drama landscape.
