Park Eun-seok Apologizes for "Unable to Take Responsibility" Amid Pet Abandonment Allegations
JBJ Kim Yong-guk Faces Controversy Over Abandoning Pet Cat
G-Dragon Under Fire for Neglecting Pet Dog
Actor Park Eun-seok has been embroiled in a controversy over abandoning his pet dog. Photo by Park Eun-seok Instagram.
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Actor Park Eun-seok, who gained popularity from the drama 'Penthouse,' has been embroiled in a controversy over abandoning his pet dog. He initially denied the allegations but eventually admitted his fault and apologized as the controversy did not subside.
On the afternoon of the 27th, Park Eun-seok apologized through his Instagram, saying, "It is indeed wrong not to take full responsibility for a life. I acknowledge that what I did was wrong. I am personally realizing and reflecting on this."
He continued, "Thankfully, acquaintances who raised the pets on my behalf posted updates about their well-being and good environment, showing that the animals are living well. However, that does not erase my wrongdoing," adding, "I deeply regret not being able to take full responsibility, and it is a painful matter for me personally."
He said, "I have lived thinking I was responsible, but that was a selfish thought that applied only to myself," and "I will take this opportunity to make efforts to show a better version of myself."
Earlier, a person claiming to be Park Eun-seok's college classmate, A, posted a message on an online community raising suspicions of his habitual abandonment of pets, sparking controversy.
A stated, "A classmate casually said that he changed a Beagle to a smaller dog because his girlfriend didn't like it, and appeared on a single-person household program saying he was raising two cats and a three-month-old puppy."
He added, "I really wish he wouldn't perform acts of loving animals on variety shows," criticizing, "I really dislike people who treat animals like objects or use them for image management."
Although his name was not directly mentioned, netizens identified the person as Park Eun-seok through references such as the 'single-person household program.' Park Eun-seok appeared on MBC's 'I Live Alone' on the 22nd, revealing his daily life living with two Sphynx cats and a three-month-old Golden Retriever puppy.
This is not the first time celebrities have been involved in controversies related to their pets. In 2019, singer Kim Yong-guk, formerly of the group JBJ, faced criticism over allegations of abandoning his pet cat. At the time, he explained that he did not abandon the cat but rather gave it up for adoption to a new owner.
Kim Yong-guk apologized on his Instagram, saying, "While living with several cats, I failed to wisely resolve conflicts among them and ended up sending away one of my pet cats. It was my mistake to simply think that this would make both the cat and the other cats happier."
He added, "After sending the cat away, I was too busy to check on it and later learned about the pain the cat experienced. I believe the biggest fault lies with me for sending my pet cat away from my care."
Meanwhile, G-Dragon of the group Big Bang was also criticized for neglecting his pet dog. In June of last year, a netizen exposed that G-Dragon's dog was left unattended in the yard of a pension run by his parents without basic care.
The netizen expressed concern about G-Dragon's dog, saying, "Its eyebrows often poked its eyes, causing a lot of tears. The dogs appeared weak and lethargic," and added, "Dog nails need to be trimmed regularly before they grow into the quick. If nails are too long, cutting them can cause bleeding."
An expert emphasized the importance of treating pets as family. Lee Won-bok, head of the Korea Animal Protection Association, pointed out, "As the number of people raising pets increases, so does the number of abandoned animals. Pets are not objects that can be easily discarded when circumstances become difficult. Abandoning pets is equivalent to abandoning family."
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