Event Began on December 1
"Name and Storyline Are Strikingly Similar," Critics Say
No Plans to Suspend the Event
The web novel event currently being held by KakaoPage since December has sparked controversy. This is because it features the late actor Lee Sunjae, who recently passed away. Kakao Entertainment explained that the event had been planned in advance and there was no particular intention behind it. Accordingly, the company stated that it has no plans to suspend the event, but debate continues over this decision.
KakaoPage web novel 'Veteran Actor but Starting as a Child Actor in This Life' introduction screen and the launch commemorative event that started on December 1. KakaoPage
KakaoPage web novel "Though a Veteran Actor, This Life Starts as a Child Actor" introduction screen and the launch commemorative event starting from December 1. KakaoPage
According to Kakao Entertainment on December 4, KakaoPage has been running a launch commemorative event for the web novel "Veteran Actor but Starting as a Child Actor in This Life" by author Idaum, which began serialization on November 6. Among users, criticism has emerged that KakaoPage failed to consider the timing of the event. This is because the main character of the work is seen as similar to actor Lee Sunjae, who passed away at the age of 91 on November 25, and the event continued without pause even before the mourning period had subsided.
The protagonist of the story, Lee Geunjae, is portrayed as the nation's oldest veteran actor, aged 90, with a 70-year acting career. Even the character's name differs from the late actor's by only one syllable. Some have pointed out that the opening scene of the first episode closely resembles the moment when the late Lee Sunjae received the Grand Prize at the "2024 KBS Drama Awards" in January last year. In the story, Lee Geunjae, supported by junior actor Choi Minwoo, steps onto the stage and delivers his acceptance speech for the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Korean Arts Awards. In reality, Lee Sunjae made headlines when he received his first Grand Prize at an acting awards ceremony, assisted by fellow actor Choi Soojong.
There is disappointment that KakaoPage did not adjust the event schedule for a work that inevitably reminds readers of the late actor Lee Sunjae. On the afternoon of December 2, a new "daily multiple-episode release" event was also added to commemorate the launch. Users commented, "The serialization started before his passing, but the timing of the promotion is unfortunate," and "This reminds me of Lee Sunjae."
Kakao Entertainment explained that the event had been planned a month in advance to coincide with the early November release of the work, and there was no particular intention behind it. However, since the event was discussed in advance with the author, the company stated that there are no plans to suspend it. A Kakao Entertainment representative said, "We apologize for causing concern by not fully considering the diverse opinions of our readers and the surrounding circumstances," and added, "It was difficult for the platform to unilaterally decide to suspend the event, but we apologize to readers who felt uncomfortable."
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