Lee Je-hoon's new drama faces controversy over lead actress's family history

Actor Lee Je-hoon is facing another potential career hurdle as controversy erupts around the female lead of his upcoming SBS legal comedy, "The Hope of Winning a Lawsuit." The drama, slated for release in the first half of 2027, is already mired in trouble before its promotional cycle has even begun.

The controversy centers on actress Heo Joon-seok's great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, who is accused of being a pro-Japanese collaborator during a contentious period in Korean history. The revelation has led to significant public backlash, raising questions about Heo Joon-seok's casting and potentially jeopardizing the drama's production and broadcast.

This situation echoes Lee Je-hoon's past experiences. In 2021, his drama "Taxi Driver" faced significant disruption when co-star Lee Na-eun was involved in a bullying scandal. The production company had to recast and reshoot 60% of the drama, impacting Lee Je-hoon's work.

Furthermore, the highly anticipated "Signal 2" faced an uncertain future after actor Jo Jin-woong was accused of school violence and assault. Although "Signal 2" was completed, Jo Jin-woong's swift retirement left the drama's release in limbo until Lee Je-hoon recently confirmed its broadcast, much to the relief of fans.

Now, with the "The Hope of Winning a Lawsuit" facing similar co-star-related issues, Korean media and netizens are expressing sympathy for Lee Je-hoon, lamenting his string of bad luck. The uncertainty surrounding the drama's future leaves fans and the actor in an awkward position, with some jokingly suggesting he needs a ritual to ward off misfortune.