South Korean actor Jung Woo-sung, who was recently revealed to have fathered a child out of wedlock, is reportedly discussing with his agency whether to attend the Blue Dragon Film Awards on Nov 29.
The 51-year-old star, who is under intense public scrutiny over his private life, is said to be deliberating on the matter with his team, his agency Artist Company said on Nov 26.
Some South Korean media outlets reported on the same day that Jung has decided to forgo attending the awards ceremony.
He has been nominated for Best Actor for his role in historical drama 12.12: The Day, a box-office hit that attracted more than 13 million viewers in South Korea since its release in November 2023 and his first film to surpass 10 million viewers.
The other Best Actor nominees are Lee Sung-min (Handsome Guys), Lee Je-hoon (The Escape), Choi Min-sik (Exhuma) and Hwang Jung-min (12.12: The Day).
Jung had earlier confirmed his attendance, but recent revelations about his personal life have complicated matters.
On Nov 24, South Korean media reported that Jung is the father of a child born to South Korean model Moon Ga-bi. This followed the 35-year-old’s social media post on Nov 22 that announced her son’s birth earlier in 2024.
Artist Company confirmed on Nov 24 that Jung is the father, stating that the actor is committed to co-parenting and prioritising the child’s well-being.
On Nov 25, Jung’s fans posted a statement on an online community, expressing both their support and desire for transparency.
Some cited Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, who publicly embraced fatherhood under similar circumstances, to highlight the potential for societal growth through open-mindedness.
Ronaldo, 39, who hinted in July that he might have married his long-time partner Georgina Rodriguez, has two children with her. He also has three other children whose mothers’ identities are not known. – The Korea Herald/Asia News Network
