Top Actor Faces Intense Criticism for Explicit Misogyny

Yoo Yeon Seok is facing heavy backlash over his sexist comments about women’s clothing.

The controversy began when a netizen on X (formerly Twitter) brought up problematic Korean actors. They posted a clip of Yoo Yeon Seok from a 2016 interview promoting The Mood of the Day. In it, Yoo claimed that women who don’t cover themselves or wear modest clothes are “basically asking for men’s attention.” He said women should wear revealing clothes around men to get their attention.

He even targeted his co-star Moon Chae Won sitting beside him, blaming her conservative dressing for her “lack of a dating life.”

This clip has popped up multiple times over the years, but it sparked fresh outrage in 2026. Netizens slammed Yoo Yeon Seok’s views as blatantly misogynistic. Many dragged the broader Korean entertainment industry for enabling such opinions.

“he said in an interview that women who don’t cover themselves or who don’t wear modest clothes are basically asking for men’s attention. plus he was shaming his costar for her choice of clothes”
— ness (@armandswhre) June 20, 2026

Criticism exploded online, with people calling out Yoo Yeon Seok’s attitude and demanding accountability. Some pointed to Moon Chae Won’s recent happy marriage as a positive contrast.

“i cant see him in positive way after he said all that, like Moon Chae Won is so beautiful she can dress however she wants + girlie is recently happily married meanwhile his misogynist ass is not & should stay that way”
— ƒαrαнᢉ𐭩 ᩚ (@twinkyxstar) June 21, 2026

“‘If you’re not covered up, you’re asking for my attention. If you’re covered up too much, that’s why you’re single’ day by day men always find ways to disgust me”
— amelia. (@baammson) June 21, 2026

The backlash also hurt Yoo’s upcoming drama. Fans vowed to skip it because of his real-life views.

“Friendly reminder, the male lead character Yoo Yeon Seok is also a korean misogynistic ass man in real life. So, i encourage you all to skip this drama”
— Purrly Pop (@CozyKitten02) June 24, 2026