Ok Joo-hyun addresses 'OkJangpan incident,' asks for name to be free from mockery

Musical theater actress Ok Joo-hyun has directly addressed the controversy known as the "OkJangpan incident," stating it left deep scars on her career. She conveyed her wish for her name to cease being a subject of mockery.

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This was an incident that left deep scars on my life and career as an actress.

Ok Joo-hyun explained in a social media post that the incident, which occurred in 2022, was difficult to discuss but had a profound impact. She noted that while some may consider it a past issue, she felt compelled to speak out to prevent her name from being further associated with the derogatory term "OkJangpan."

The "OkJangpan incident" originated from a social media post by actor Kim Ho-young. Following the announcement that Ok Joo-hyun and her protégé Lee Ji-hye were double-cast as the lead in the musical "Elisabeth," Kim posted an image of a "OkJangpan" (a type of Korean heating mat) and a theater seating chart, with the caption "Asari-pan is a thing of the past, now it's OkJangpan." This led to widespread speculation that he was alluding to preferential casting.

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I hope my name is no longer consumed as mockery of 'OkJangpan'.

Ok Joo-hyun subsequently filed a complaint with the police against Kim Ho-young and two netizens for defamation and malicious comments. The actress emphasized that the incident caused significant distress and that she hopes for closure and respect moving forward.

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Asari-pan is a thing of the past, now it's OkJangpan.