3 Korean Celebrities Named 2024’s “Worst-Mannered” By Movie Biz Insiders

Like the American “Golden Raspberry Awards” to honor the “worst” in contemporary cinema, the “Sanddalki (Raspberry) Awards” has been an ongoing tradition since 2017, held by the South Korean media Sports Khan.

In 2024, for the 8th Sanddalki Awards, Sports Khan conducted its annual survey of 51 movie and/or entertainment reporters from leading domestic media outlets. While 2024 was filled with unprecedented chaos, actors Jung Woo Sung, Youn Yuh Jung, and Jeon Do Yeon particularly stood out to these industry insiders as the worst-mannered.

As Sports Khan expected, Jung Woo Sung received 22 votes and was named 2024’s worst-mannered actor. The voting reporters called out his actions involving model Moon Gabi and the extramarital son, as well as his flirtatious DMs with non-celebrity women. Noting the negative impact he brought upon the Korean movie business, the reporters blamed his multiple scandals as being ill-mannered to himself, his fans, and his career.

Reporter comments included:

• “I’ll always remember how he took the Blue Dragon Awards and gave it a funeral vibe.”
• “I didn’t know he’d use his good looks this way. Taking responsibility for his child is his duty, but how will he rebuild the reputation he shattered in just three days?”
• “It’s unfortunate, especially when Korean cinema is already struggling, that public sentiment toward filmmakers is growing colder.”
• “12.12: The Day is one of my all-time favorite films, but he ruined it. No more rewatching for me!”

18 votes went to Oscar-winning actress Youn Yuh Jung. According to the voting reporters, Youn’s attitude at press interviews, especially the ones promoting her K-Movie Dog Days, was “rude.”

At one point, Youn blamed the reporters for the death of the late Lee Sun Kyun. While her sadness was understandable, the reporters who participated in the interview were stunned by her baseless accusations. Additionally, there were numerous complaints about Youn Yuh Jung smoking during the interviews and speaking in an informal manner that belittled the reporters.

Reporter comments included:

• “What kind of logic is it to say the reporters killed Lee Sun Kyun?”
• “No matter how great an actress she is, she should watch her words in an interview.”
• “Ma’am, there’s a fine line between honesty and rudeness.”
• “Please show respect and manners that match your global fame.”
• “If she’s going to get annoyed with every question, how are we supposed to do our job?”
• “Why does she always ask every reporter their age?”

Actress Jeon Do Yeon came in third with 4 votes. In August 2024, the actress was blasted for her behavior toward comedian Yoo Jae Suk at a press conference for her K-Movie, Revolver.

“Extra Rude” Actress’s Explanation For Her Behavior Toward Yoo Jae Suk Leaves More Unimpressed

Reporters commented:

• “She’s so stubborn that she couldn’t take a joke as a joke. Instead, she had to make it awkward for everyone.”
• “So she wanted to use Yoo Jae Suk and his show for publicity, but she couldn’t take his jokes.”

Other names mentioned include the late Lee Sun Kyun (for his multiple scandals leading up to his death), Kwak Do Won (for his DUI jeopardizing a movie release), and Gong Yoo (for his past comments about dictator Park Chung Hee resurfacing amid South Korea’s recent political unrest).

Read more about 2023’s Sanddalki Awards winners here:

7 Korean Celebrities Voted 2023’s “Worst Actors” By Movie Biz Insiders