It’s been four months since Park Shi Hoo wisely disappeared from the public limelight after the resolution of his legal troubles at the end of April, and a good six months since it all began that fateful Valentine’s Day of 2013 when he went out drinking with a hoobae and a young trainee and ended up getting accused of rape. I’ve covered the details at length but in short: A young girl accused Park Shi Hoo of rape when they slept together but she was too drunk and/or drugged to consent, he said it was consensual, the circus blew up when all sorts of 3rd parties got involved and cross-complaints started flying left and right, everyone was called in for repeated interrogations and questioning, the police report called for an indictment, but before the prosecutor could decide to indict or dismiss the entire thing was settled between Park Shi Hoo and his accuser without any details made public as to the terms of the settlement (if any). In the US, this wouldn’t even rise up to merit any media coverage since the celebs routinely behave way worse, but in Korea this was a salacious scandal that has halted what was a hard working career of Park Shi Hoo who put in his dues as an actor and climbed up through the ranks of bit parts to second leads and is finally coming into his own as a leading man.
But in Korea, plenty of celebs have come back from various scandals ranging from draft dodging (Jang Hyuk, Song Seung Heon), tax evasion (Kang Ho Dong), vehicular homicide (Ryu Shi Won and Daesang of Big Bang), and pot smoking (Joo Ji Hoon), and what the public wants is for the scandal plagued star to evidence sincere remorse and engage in hard working rehabilitation. It’s beside the point to harp on whether Park Shi Hoo did it, was an innocent set up by a greedy wannabe starlet, or maybe a bit of both – the issue is over and the question is whether the public is ready for his comeback. He was in LA this Summer for a month to get away and apparently did a photo shoot there. His agency quietly released an unofficial photo of him at the photo shoot and he looks exactly the same (picture after the jump). There were rumors he had wasted away from the stress but it looks like he’s in good form. His agency has also revealed that they have been fielding acting offers for him and reviewing scripts, though it wasn’t clear if these were acting gigs in Korea or overseas such as China, which is constantly wanting to land Korean actors in its dramas. Park Shi Hoo really needs to thank his fans profusely, because rarely have I seen such devoted belief from a fandom and sticking by his side throughout his legal troubles this year.
I’m curious how his acting might have been affected by going through an experience such as he did. I always thought some of the K-actors who went through scandals, even if they brought it on themselves, after paying penance they came back better at their craft.
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im guessing by slowing releasing photos from shoots he does his agency can gage how people will react towards him coming back into the limelight and after a few months he will be back doing dramas. if I would guess id say a Chinese or Taiwanese to start but who knows since the majority of society seemed to be on his side so he might even jump back into a Korean drama, either way I know ill watch it he is a seriously good actor in my eyes
I know! I really am a fan of his acting. I was so sad thinking if Confessions of a Murder was his first and last movie...
Nope, not interested
Why bother to comment on something you don't care about? Never going to understand people that do this. Anyhow. I have no issues with him going back to work. Wether he was guilty or innocent he has had a a rough time. I'm a bit torn about how I feel about cases like this. I always go back to 3 famous cases Kobe Bryant, Ben Roethlisberger, a Roman Polanski. The first 2 after a few years its seems people forgot about them. Both alleged victims received compasation & I hope moved on to live normal lives. While the two men continue to be love by their fans ( I never liked either but I like the sports they play so I deal with them) Then there is the horrible Polanski man, sorry I'll never give him a chance. I don't care how big, and amazing he is. He raped a child, then ran away to another country to not serve his sentence. The fact that people continue to idolize his work, makes me sick. Anyhow. Rant over good day. Good luck PSH!
PSH's case is a bit more difficult I think since the alleged victim just dropped her charges entirely and one can only speculate if he was guilty or not and I'd hate to judge a person based solely on speculation. So I have no issues about him going to work.
I definitely agree with you about Polanski though. It was a travesty that he was not made to pay for his crime against that child. What really disgusted me was how celebrities were sending appeals for him on the basis of his age and because he was a celebrated director. As if his talent could forgive his crime. Absolutely appalling.
She was a child looking like an adult, though.
Like in the Park Shi Hoo case, she says she'd said no, he says she'd said yes.
Running away is never ok, though, even if your judge is going wild. Alright, Polanski was/is still traumatized by the horrible death of his wife and his baby, and prison for "child rapists" is worse than hell. Still he should not have fled.
She was a child looking like an adult
Are you talking about Polanski's victim? Because he knew PERFECTLY WELL that she was 13, and no matter how 'adult' a child that age looks, they cannot consent to sex.
He's a convicted rapist, and trying to excuse what he did/cast doubt on it by bringing up his dead wife trauma and blaming the victim, is disgusting.
Elina, Just to be clear, Actress A in Park Si Hoo's case, was presented to the public as a mature, sexually active woman in her early 20's. Unfortunately, she put herself in a situation, where it seems to me that within her society, sex is not an unexpected outcome. It is unfortunate once she caught the lay of the land, she did not leave immediately. This resulted in the unfortunate situation for the 3 immediate participants plus many others.
In contrast, Polanski, who is a convicted child rapist, actively sought out a child, 13 y.o. to assault.
I watched Confessions of A Murder recently, it didn't bother me since I wanted to watch the movie from before. I won't avoid his dramas if it's good just because but I agree that he should probably stay away for a year or 2.
im thinking its too early to comeback to the limelight. people havent forgotten whether he's guilty or not, he made quite an uproar in SK.
You're very strong sihoo ssi, after more than 3 months in the hell and you still alive and in good condition. I'm glad he's not follow Korean culture to take suicide. Good luck PSH and GBU!!
Thank you Koala for the update......I was so happy to see him making a comeback....I missed seeing him on the screen, whether it be small or large. At least he is receiving scripts again...would hate to see his talent go to waste.....I am now.....a VERY happy little Aussie!
He is a good actor, Hope he appreciates his fans for sticking by him and does well in the future.
Well i was never a hardcore fan of his so watching his dramas was always about whether the drama seems good or not. That won't change for me but I think he needs to stay away for a little while longer. Well it depends on the reaction of the audience in korea. Maybe a movie would be a good move because it'll take longer until it airs.
well, PSH actions and statements during the scandal was too shady for me, and I'm not interested on him anymore. But sadly he is handsome and young and is from a rich and powerful family, so I'm sure he'll come back.
Look your list Koala, sadly just Kactors. Kactresses + Scandal = never again on tv.
I wonder if we will ever see Park Shi Yeon again on tv ?
Isn't Ji Joo Soon on a drama this fall?
Hurry back to TV PSH!
@Omona...i agree with you...i really really disappointed with his reactions and behaviour during that incident, investigations and how the case ended. From that, i can feel his true personality that i think not mature and gentleman, no matter how handsome and talented he is.
As for his comeback...i think its too early...he's better do self reflection just a little bit longer...
Omona, PSH made very few public statements or appearances during this event. Are you referring to him changing lawyers and asking for a different police station to handle the investigation? Considering how much information was made public that under normal circumstances, even with a celebrity, would have been kept within the investigating team until the investigation was completed, the request for a change of police stations seems reasonable.
I hope Park Shi Yeon comes back after she has her child.
I agree with Omona completely. I used to like PSH very much and while I have no idea whether he's innocent or guilty in this case, his behaviour during the investigation still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth every time his name pops up somewhere. I wish he wouldn't come back into the limelight so soon.
@MaryAnnBoston: As an example: When he came in for questioning at the police station (the first time, I think), he made a brief statement to the reporters about how he's going to be cooperative and do everything in his power to help the police make "the truth come to light".
Result: He apparently persuaded the alleged victim to drop the charges right before the prosecutor made his decision. That may not seem shady to you, but it sure as hell looks shady to me.
How do you know He persuaded Miss A to drop the charge? That's only your wild imagination. We never known anything on that day. But, the prosecutor and police said PSH is "innocent" against his ex agency, and I think I know what it's mean.
Please don't say that ;_____; Park Si Yeon NEEDS to appear on a new drama for the simple reason that she is Korea's most beautiful celebrity imo (even if you don't agree, I think no one can deny that is gorgeous), plus she is an amazing actress (yes, her acting was mediocre in her early days but she's improved so much over the years. And really, isn't that what being a great actor really means? Continually and steadily growing and improving oneself?). Not to mention that there is no other actress out there that can pull off second female lead/femme fatale roles as well as she does (Nice Guy, Story of a Man, The Scent etc). If she doesn't return to TV (or a movie at least, I will get what I can take tbh) I will be absolutely devastated. Do you think the scandal will really affect her that much? Hopefully after she gives birth (on September if I remember correctly?), she will take some months off and then come back with a Summer/Fall 2013 drama.
The double standard is making me so angry and sad at the same time. The fact that so many Kactors recovered from big scandals while Kactresses with similar and many times less serious scandals are treated as pariahs in the entertainment industry is really sickening. If Park Shi Hoo that more or less is confirmed that is a major asshole (well that is the least, considering there is a chance he is a rapist, which is unforgivable, plain and simple), while Park Si Yeon gets shoved out of the spotlight I will lose faith in humanity tbh.