Jung Hae-in, a popular South Korean actor, faced the biggest controversy of his career after a single photo from the 54th Baeksang Arts Awards on May 3, 2018, turned him into a target of public criticism. Known for his rise in the Hallyu wave and his breakout role in the 2018 drama Something in the Rain, the actor found himself at the center of a storm over what many called an “improper” move during a group photo session. Here’s the full story of how it happened, why it caused such a stir, and how Jung Hae-in responded to the backlash.
The Moment That Changed Everything
Jung Hae-in entered the entertainment world in 2014, starting with small roles that slowly won over fans. By 2018, he had landed his first leading role alongside Son Ye-jin in Something in the Rain, marking his rise as a major star. But just as his fame was growing, a single moment at the 54th Baeksang Arts Awards shifted the spotlight in a way he never expected.
At the event, held on May 3, 2018, Jung Hae-in stood in the central, front-row position for a group photo taken at the end of the ceremony. This spot is a big deal in the Korean entertainment industry. It’s usually saved for the night’s top winners—like those who take home the Daesang, the most prestigious award, or the Best Actor/Actress titles.
Jung Hae-in, however, didn’t win any of those big awards. He received the Most Popular Actor award, a category based on fan votes. Meanwhile, Bae Suzy, his counterpart who won Most Popular Actress, stood quietly in the back row—even though she was more famous at the time and also the event’s MC. His decision to stand front and center shocked many attendees and viewers.
Why the Public Got Angry
In Korean culture, respecting elders and seniority is a huge part of the entertainment industry. Taking the central spot when you’re not a top winner is seen as bold—and not in a good way. Netizens quickly called Jung Hae-in out, labeling him “rude” and “disrespectful to seniors.”
People pointed to other stars as examples of proper behavior. Back in 2014, Kim Soo-hyun won three awards for My Love from the Star but stepped back five paces to let his seniors take the front. In 2017, big names like Gong Yoo and Park Bo-gum stayed out of the center, leaving it for Kim Eun-sook, the Daesang-winning screenwriter that year.
Jung Hae-in’s choice—or what seemed like a choice—stood out even more because he was still a rookie compared to these stars. Fans and critics accused him of trying to steal the spotlight, with some saying he acted “desperate” for attention. The backlash grew fast, spreading across social media and news outlets.
Here’s what some netizens said online:
“He’s rude and doesn’t know his place. How dare he stand there?”
“Disrespectful to seniors who’ve worked harder and won more.”
“Even Suzy stayed in the back, and she’s the MC. What was he thinking?”
The Other Side of the Story
As the criticism piled up, people who were at the event stepped in to defend Jung Hae-in. A journalist from Ilgan Sports, the media sponsor of the Baeksang Awards, posted on Instagram to clear things up. The journalist explained that Jung Hae-in wasn’t trying to grab attention. The group photo’s arrangement was based on practical things like height and balancing the number of men and women—not just award status.
A staff member from the event backed this up, saying:
“He was about to leave since he didn’t know there’d be a group photo. When he found out, he waited on stage for the seniors to come up and bowed to them. Since he was a rookie, he didn’t know where to stand. The seniors who came up later weren’t familiar with anyone either, so everything got chaotic. It’s likely he ended up in the center unintentionally. We deeply regret that this turned into a malicious scandal.”
According to these accounts, Jung Hae-in didn’t push his way to the front. He was following instructions from the staff, and the confusion of the moment led to him standing where he did. Still, the photo was already out there, and the damage was done.
Jung Hae-in Speaks Out
More than three weeks later, Jung Hae-in addressed the controversy in an interview. He opened up about how tough it was for him, saying:
“I really wanted to run away. I’d be grateful if people could understand this situation, but it became too serious. I think it was a valuable lesson and experience to help me handle my work better in the future.”
His words showed how much the backlash affected him. At the time, he was still new to fame, and the harsh reaction left a mark. But he also saw it as a chance to grow and learn how to navigate his career better.
How He Moved Forward
The “center position” photo remains the biggest scandal in Jung Hae-in’s career. In over ten years in the industry, he’s stayed away from trouble otherwise, making this moment stand out even more. Luckily, it didn’t ruin him.
After 2018, Jung Hae-in worked hard to win back the public’s trust. He starred in hit projects like D.P., Snowdrop, Love Next Door, and the film I, the Executioner. These roles showed off his talent and helped him rebuild his reputation step by step.
Today, he’s known as one of South Korea’s top actors, with fans across Asia and beyond. The controversy from that one photo is now just a bump in the road of his successful journey.
