South Korean musical actress Ock Joo Hyun recently drew significant attention and sparked debate after sharing a video of herself using a vitamin stick to simulate smoking on her Instagram. The video, which was posted on November 4th KST with the caption “Smoking is difficult,” shows her practicing a smoking scene for her upcoming musical role. Her dedication to realism for this part has been met with mixed reactions on social media.

Public Reaction Divided Over Use of Vitamin Stick in Practice Video

In the video, Ock Joo Hyun is seen using a vitamin stick to mimic smoking, even receiving guidance from another actor on how to hold it like a real cigarette. While many fans and fellow actors praised her meticulous approach to embodying her character, others expressed concerns over the appropriateness of sharing such content publicly, especially where young audiences might see it.

Supporters commended her dedication, leaving positive remarks such as:

“Seeing how thoroughly she prepares even for a brief scene makes me anticipate the musical even more.”

“It’s impressive how dedicated she is.”

However, critics voiced contrasting opinions, citing potential concerns:

“Even if it’s just for practice, this isn’t right. It could look like a real cigarette and be misleading.”

“Posting this on social media where minors can see it is inappropriate.”

Previous Commitment to a Non-Smoking Lifestyle

Ock Joo Hyun has long been recognized as a non-smoker, choosing to avoid smoking to preserve her voice. In a well-known story shared by comedian Kang Ho Dong, he recalled an incident during her time as a member of the K-pop group Fin.K.L, when she firmly asked him to “put out the cigarette” while they were sharing a car. This incident reportedly inspired Kang Ho Dong to quit smoking, highlighting Ock’s dedication to a smoke-free lifestyle.

Government Guidelines on Portrayal of Smoking by Celebrities

The debate over Ock Joo Hyun’s practice video arrives at a time when South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare has been urging media figures to limit the display of smoking scenes, especially involving public figures. Last year, the ministry issued guidelines discouraging such portrayals to help reduce the likelihood of influencing youth curiosity and behavior toward smoking.

This ongoing debate underscores the complexities involved in balancing artistic dedication with social responsibility, especially in the age of social media.

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