TvN‘s hit K-Drama Queen of Tears recently concluded. While viewers loved the ensemble cast, starring Kim Ji Won and Kim Soo Hyun, they also loved to hate Park Sung Hoon‘s character, Yoon Eun Sung.

Despite playing a baddie, some couldn’t help but fall in love with Park Sung Hoon offscreen. Unlike his character, he’s so adorable and sweet!

Still, not everyone saw Park Sung Hoon for who he really is. Many Queen of Tears viewers expressed their anger at his character to him directly. During his recent public appearances, Park Sung Hoon asked people to hate Eun Sung, not him.

When he guested on You Quiz on the Block, he recounted a story about going to a restaurant. A woman there hit his back, telling him to leave the main characters on Queen of Tears alone.

In an interview with JoyNews24, Park Sung Hoon revealed that he saw many viewer reactions online, as he even received lots of direct messages via social media. He received so much hate that he had to take a break. Yet, there is a Korean saying that the more 욕 (yok) (hate/criticism/cursing) you receive, the longer you’ll live!

I got so much hate for the role, enough to last me a lifetime. I couldn’t even check my DMs for a while because of all the angry messages that came through. But I’m not actually like that. I’m glad many people loved the show and had so much affection for the Hae In x Hyun Woo couple. It’s been a great deal of joy seeing the support.

— Park Sung Hoon

Park Sung Hoon attempted to view the hate he received positively. In an interview with The Korea Times, he explained why he didn’t mind receiving the hateful messages too much. He feels complimented, knowing he portrayed his character well.

I’m actually not bothered or hurt by those direct messages (on social media) … Because they root for Hong and Baek, they have such feelings toward (my character). That’s how much they love and put interest in our series so I enjoy reading the comments. Now I think perspectives have changed. Previously, people used to see the character as the actor’s real personality, but now, more people see it separately. So I try to think of it as compliments that I portrayed my character convincingly.

— Park Sung Hoon

Park Sung Hoon will soon star in the second season of Netflix‘s hit Korean thriller series Squid Game. He is excited to be then associated with the new character’s name.

I’ve been called Jae-jun then Eun-seoung. So next, I hope I can be called by the character’s name from ‘Squid Game.’

— Park Sung Hoon

Squid Game 2 will premiere later this year.

Read more below.

Source: JoyNews24 and Korea Times