South Korean actor Yoo Yeon Seok has numerous critically acclaimed projects, such as Mr. Sunshine, Reply 1994, and Hospital Playlist—to his credit—but nothing catapulted him to unprecedented success quite like his role in When the Phone Rings. Also starring Chae Soo Bin, the ongoing MBC drama has emerged as K-enthusiasts’ latest obsession, ultimately making Yoo Yeon Seok Internet’s new boyfriend.

As his popularity soars, details related to Yoo Yeon Seok’s past life have fans going bonkers; however, amid the fan frenzy, the actor has found himself in hot water after an old video of him making misogynistic comments resurfaced on the web.

Yoo Yeon Seok’s misogynist remarks resurface

A throwback video of the actor has sparked a fresh controversy after several netizens found his views about women deeply ingrained in misogyny.

In the resurfaced clip, which has now gone viral, Yoo discusses how he takes hints about a woman’s interest in him based on her dressing style.

He claimed that a woman’s clothing choices are indicative of her interest in him, stating that if she doesn’t wear revealing clothing, he assumes she’s not interested, and vice versa.

“If a woman wears something translucent, where you can sort of see something whenever they walk? If they wear something like that when they are out with me, I would think they are interested in me. If they are all covered up, it feels like they are putting up a wall, and I think they are not interested in me,” the actor said in Korean, as per Koreaboo.

He then told Moon Chae Won, his Mood of the Day co-star, that it’s her conservative dressing style that has posed a difficulty in her dating life.

— 맛터 (@masterofblt) December 16, 2024

Fans call out Yoo Yeon Seok: ‘Didn’t know he was this nasty’

The clip was shared in November right after the premiere of When the Phone Rings but has recently gone viral as the new drama tops viewership charts worldwide. Fans who couldn’t stop doting on the actor since the drama’s premiere have now called out his red-flag behaviour.

“This clip gets uploaded every damn year, but K-drama stans have selective amnesia when it comes to male actors. Anything for content, I guess,” one user wrote.

this clip gets uploaded every damn year but kdrama stans have selective amnesia when it comes to male actors. anything for content i guess

— jay (@tensorfied_) November 23, 2024

“Dude has such nice vibes, especially now that he’s doing a show with Yoo Jae Suk. I always thought he was a green flag. But damn, the whole conversation is so wrong. Google the year of the movie release, and it was in 2016. He’s 32 y/o at that time,” another wrote.

Dude has such nice vibes especially now he’s doing a show with yoojaesuk. I always thought he is a green flag. But damnnn the whole conversation is so wrong. Google the year of the movie release, and it was in 2016. He’s 32 y/o at that time.

— Around_U (@Around_HiLight) November 24, 2024

“Hospital Playlist was a really successful drama that managed to give him a good image too. I didn’t know he was this nasty,” a third user added.

Hospital Playlist was a really successful drama that managed to gave him a good image too. I didn’t know he was this nasty 🤡

— Marsha Tesalonika (@Benie_Marsha) November 24, 2024

“I’ve been seeing clips of his new drama but could not bring myself to watch it because of what he did to Chae-won. This may be hard to accept for some, but this clip was not fictional; this was real,” a fourth commented.

I’ve been seeing clips of his new drama but could not bring myself to watch it because of what he did to Chae-won. This may be hard to accept for some but this clip was not fictional, this was real.

— Ubbie 💬 (@UbbieSays) November 24, 2024

About When the Phone Rings

When the Phone Rings follows Baek Sae On (Yoo Yeon Seok) and Hong Hee Joo (Chae Soo Bin), whose marriage of convenience takes a wild turn after a mysterious call from a kidnapper. The drama premieres every Friday and Saturday on MBC Network, and global fans can stream it on Netflix.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.