Park Eun-bin Faces Unwanted “Woo Young-woo” Comment During Live Stream, Sparks Debate

A comment left during actress Park Eun-bin’s recent Instagram live broadcast has ignited discussion online, raising questions about boundaries, representation, and respect toward characters associated with disability.

The Comment That Sparked the Controversy

On Feb. 4, Park Eun-bin went live on Instagram to casually interact with fans, chatting about everyday topics and trends, including her experience trying the popular “Dubai chewy cookie.” The livestream maintained a relaxed, fan-focused atmosphere.

During the broadcast, a comment appeared from the official Instagram account of professional baseball player Lee Ju-hyung, asking Park to “do the Woo Young-woo way of speaking.”

Park Eun-bin did not respond to the comment during the live session.

Why Fans Reacted Strongly

Park Eun-bin portrayed the titular character in the hit drama Extraordinary Attorney Woo, playing a brilliant rookie lawyer on the autism spectrum. Since the drama’s release, the actress has repeatedly spoken about her careful and ethical approach to portraying the character.

Fans quickly criticized the comment, noting that Park has consistently avoided mimicking the character’s speech patterns outside the drama, out of respect for people on the autism spectrum. Many argued that asking her to reproduce the character’s manner of speaking risks reducing a nuanced portrayal to a form of imitation.

Park Eun-bin’s Stance on Representation

Following the drama’s conclusion in 2022, Park Eun-bin explained in interviews that she deliberately avoided copying or exaggerating real-life autistic behaviors. She described this approach as an ethical responsibility, emphasizing that such traits should never be used as entertainment tools.

She also shared that she studied diagnostic criteria and reference materials to ensure her performance remained respectful and grounded, rather than caricatured.

A Broader Cultural Context

The controversy echoes past debates in Korea over parody and imitation of characters associated with disability. Experts involved in Extraordinary Attorney Woo have previously stated that parody should challenge those in positions of power, not individuals or groups considered socially vulnerable.

Past incidents involving online creators mimicking the character had already sparked similar criticism.

Team Response and Apology

In response to the growing backlash, Kiwoom Heroes stated that Lee Ju-hyung did not leave the comment with harmful intent and has since recognized it as a mistake.

The team added that the player is aware of the issue and regrets the misunderstanding.

Where the Conversation Stands Now

The incident has reignited public discussion about how popular characters should be referenced outside their original context and how public figures interact with roles tied to sensitive social themes.

While the situation appears to have been resolved without further escalation, it serves as a reminder that even casual comments can carry unintended weight, especially when they involve representation and respect.