‘Agent Kim Reactivated’ creator’s past controversy resurfaces amid drama’s success
by Minsoo-Kim · allkpopThe popularity of SBS’s hit Friday-Saturday drama 'Agent Kim Reactivated', starring So Ji Sub, has coincided with renewed online discussion surrounding past allegations involving original webtoon creator Park Tae Joon..
The discussion gained renewed attention after a recent episode of the YouTube channel 'Yeouido Next Door, Mullae-dong' revisited scenes from Park’s earlier webtoon 'Lookism'.
The video also highlighted a background sign reading “Rock Owling,” claiming it resembled a reference to Owl Rock, the site associated with Roh’s death. The panelists argued that such details were unlikely to be accidental.
The panelists also referenced a sign reading “Rock Owling” that appeared in the background of the same scene, arguing that it could be interpreted as another symbolic reference. One panelist alleged that the imagery reflected themes associated with the far-right online community Ilbe, while another said they had not previously noticed the detail.
The allegations are not new. When similar claims first surfaced, Park denied them through his personal blog.
“I am dumbfounded,” he wrote at the time. “No matter how lacking or uneducated I may be, I am not the kind of person who would use the image of a deceased individual in that way, nor would I have the courage to do so.”
Park has faced similar accusations in the past. In 2015, readers claimed that a scene in 'Lookism' resembled an image of former President Roh and mocked him. In 2021, another of his works, 'Desire Diary', drew criticism over the use of the expression “Hwo Hwo Hwo,” with some alleging it resembled an online parody directed at former President Moon Jae In. Park has previously denied intentional political messaging.
With 'Agent Kim Reactivated' becoming one of SBS’s most-watched dramas, old videos and social media posts discussing the controversy have once again circulated online.
The renewed discussion has prompted divided reactions from viewers. While some questioned whether the alleged references were intentional and criticized the creator, others noted that the claims are based on interpretation and pointed out that Park has consistently denied the allegations. Neither the drama’s production team nor SBS has commented on the matter.
Share this article SHARE
SHARE