Park’s public image took a hit when he posted explicit material to his personal social media in December 2024. He subsequently exited the planned tvN series The Tyrant’s Chef. The scandal surfaced just as he seemed poised for a career peak following high-profile appearances in Netflix hits The Glory and Squid Game, forcing a change in his plans.
Aside from his already-filmed role in Squid Game 2, Park’s first project after the controversy was Efficient Meetings of Singles. Because he was paired opposite Han Ji-min—an actress with strong recognition and high favorability—netizens immediately questioned why his comeback would be a romance, arguing the choice was risky.
Promotion also diverged from the usual playbook. Unlike many dramas that boost exposure with joint variety-show appearances by the leads, Han Ji-min and Park Sung-hoon did not appear together on variety programs. Han instead appeared on the web variety show Pinggyego with agency colleagues Han Hyo-joo and Park Bo-young, seeking buzz without being paired with Park.
Ratings haven’t shown meaningful growth. Efficient Meetings of Singles debuted at 3.1% and has hovered between 3% and 4% through episode eight. The series airs at 10:40 p.m. on weekend nights—a slot with relatively little direct competition—but it has yet to deliver standout moments.
Critical reaction to the series itself has been mixed. Some viewers say the dialogue and direction feel dated, and they argue the show’s portrayal of single women in their 30s is out of step with contemporary sensibilities. Those criticisms, along with comments that Park’s presence disrupts immersion, have cooled overall reception.
Because romantic dramas depend heavily on audience sympathy for the leads and immersion in their characters, Park’s casting has not yet translated into strong ratings or buzz. The sustained 3%–4% ratings and his absence from buzz rankings point to a limited effect so far.
Lee So-jung, TenAsia reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr
