2PM’s Taecyeon Leads New BL Drama, Co-Star Receives Significant Backlash in Korea

Taecyeon is facing controversy over his new Japanese BL drama co-star.

The issue started after Netflix dropped a teaser and stills for Soul Mate, starring Taecyeon and Japanese actor Hayato Isomura. The drama premieres May 14 and follows a 10-year relationship between their characters across Berlin, Seoul, and Tokyo.

Two lonely young souls follow each other around the world for 10 years chasing their once-in-a-lifetime connection…

SOUL MATE premieres May 14. Starring Hayato Isomura and Ok Taec-yeon. Written and Directed by Shunki Hashizume.
— Netflix Twitter

Soon after the teaser and stills went public, Korean netizens slammed Hayato Isomura’s looks. They said he didn’t match up well beside Taecyeon.

*Japanese BL drama starring Ok Taecyeon released still shots. This…What is this?*
— Twitter user @yourmarina88

*This won’t do. Let’s just go back to the original plan with Jang Woo Young.*
— Twitter user @yeondinyoo

*Ok Taecyeon himself must have been flustered by how different it turned out compared to what he had expected.*
— Twitter user @monganggi

The harsh comments led to a strong backlash worldwide. Fans defended Isomura’s talent and criticized Korean netizens for their strict beauty standards.

*Sometime you forgot how seriously terrifying korean beauty standard mindset until you see korean actor paired with actor of another country and people started bullying and mocking the other actor for not looking like cosmetic surgeon’s poster*
— Twitter user @_Captain_Duck

*as always ktw remains obssessed with shitting on actors who don’t fit their so called standards. y’all deserve to watch those vertical bls with models who can barely move a facial muscle forever*
— Twitter user @bytheforcebook

*Hearing complaints that one lead isn’t good looking enough. Screw the haters, I don’t care what they think. Isomura Hayato is totally cute & charming in the trailer, & Taec’s fans know they built a good bond during filming. Story: solid, scenes: beautiful, heartstrings: tugged *
— Twitter user @phoqueenv

*Whenever Korean actor is paired with actor/actress from another country for a drama, first thing you will see is viral tweets of korean fans making fun of the other actor’s appearance calling them ugly, not suitable for the pair.*
— Twitter user @_Captain_Duck

The drama’s release date is just weeks away, and the debate over casting and looks isn’t dying down anytime soon.