In a dramatic turn of events, actor Park Sung Hoon, best known for his role in Squid Game, has officially withdrawn from his upcoming lead role in tvN’s The Tyrant’s Chef. The decision follows weeks of controversy and mounting protests from fans demanding his removal.

The backlash began after Park Sung Hoon mistakenly uploaded an explicit parody poster of Squid Game to his social media. Though the actor quickly deleted the post—reportedly within a minute—its impact was immediate. Despite multiple apologies and explanations from Park Sung Hoon and his agency, the incident sparked outrage among netizens, with many calling for consequences.

The controversy reached new heights when fans of Girls' Generation’s Yoona, who is set to co-star in The Tyrant’s Chef, organized protests demanding Park Sung Hoon’s removal from the project. They reportedly contacted the drama’s production team directly, citing concerns over his involvement.

In response to the growing uproar, Park Sung Hoon announced his decision to step down from the lead role. According to a statement from the production company and his agency, both parties mutually agreed that his withdrawal was the best course of action.

The Tyrant’s Chef is a highly anticipated drama about a modern-day chef who travels back in time and encounters a tyrannical king with a passion for gourmet cuisine. Their unlikely meeting sparks a romance that transcends 500 years. While Park Sung Hoon’s departure leaves a gap, fans are eager to see who will step into the role alongside Yoona.

As the production team works on recasting, the spotlight remains on The Tyrant’s Chef, with many hoping this unique time-travel romance will still live up to its potential. The drama’s release date has not yet been impacted, but fans are closely watching for updates.