Will a drama starring the controversial actor Park Sung Hoon be JTBC’s first new weekend series of 2026?
According to a report from ize, the new romance drama Efficient Dating of Single Men and Women is currently under discussion for the key 2026 weekend slot on JTBC.
Based on a popular webtoon, the series stars the beloved Han Ji Min as a woman determined to find love, who becomes torn between two men with different charms: one played by Park Sung Hoon, and the other by Lee Ki Taek.
While Han Ji Min’s casting has generated significant excitement, the news that Park Sung Hoon will play her romantic co-lead has divided fans. This comes after a major controversy in December of last year, when Park Sung Hoon posted a cover of a Japanese adult video parodying Squid Game 2 on his personal social media. His agency, BH Entertainment, claimed it was an accidental share sent by someone else, but this explanation was widely disbelieved and sparked the public’s negative reaction.
The backlash was so severe that Park Sung Hoon ultimately withdrew from the tvN drama Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, where he had been confirmed as the male lead. Many critics argued that his image, now forever tied to the infamous incident, was incompatible with romantic roles. This has sparked heated online debates, with some fans feeling he is unsuitable for the part, while others believe his acting and personal projects should be judged separately.
With Park Sung Hoon still carrying this controversial “label,” all eyes are now on JTBC to see if they will risk their key 2026 weekend slot on the drama. The question remains: can Park Sung Hoon overcome the scandal, or will viewers boycott the show?
Meanwhile, Efficient Dating of Single Men and Women is reportedly in its final stages of filming.
>> Park Sung Hoon’s Instagram Sees Rapid Growth While Viewers Demand His Removal From New Drama
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