“Lovely Runner” Kim Hye Yoon’s Lack Of Variety Show Appearances Ignites A Heated Debate On Misogyny

Actress Kim Hye Yoon‘s recent comments on a lack of variety show appearances caused a heated discussion on misogyny in the entertainment industry.

Kim Hye Yoon has been acting for years and has played some of the most iconic roles in some of the biggest K-Dramas and films, including The Heirs, Extraordinary You, The Girl on a Bulldozer, and many more.

More recently, Kim Hye Yoon has starred in the main role in the hit K-drama Lovely Runner.

The veteran actress stars alongside Byeon Woo Seok in the touching drama that has sent netizens into meltdown and shocked the public with its unprecedented and organic rise in popularity.

After the show’s sudden rise in popularity, Hye Yoon’s company came under fire after netizens felt that the label wasn’t doing enough to support the actress. The agency’s Instagram was flooded with comments demanding they do a better job of promoting the actress.

Yet, in a recent interview, Hye Yoon shocked fans after revealing that the reason she didn’t have many appearances was that she wasn’t asked at the time.

The thing, is though, the variety shows need to ask for me, but nobody had asked for me at that time. We never rejected an offer (to appear on a show).

— Kim Hye Yoon

Aside from official events for the show, one of the only variety show appearances was Salon Drip with Byeon Woo Seok.

In comparison, actor Byeon Woo Seok has seemingly made many appearances, including You Quiz On The Block, and is set to hold fan meetings across Asia.

When Hye Yoon’s answer was shared on social media, it angered fans as they brought up the topic of misogyny in the industry.

Many netizens believe the show wouldn’t be a hit without the actress as a veteran of the industry, but she is being overlooked compared to her male co-star. Sadly, netizens pointed out that it seems to be a common issue in the K-Drama industry, whether it is due to those working in entertainment or the reaction from fans being stronger towards male stars.

unfair treatment towards women in the entertainment industry isnt new. my fav actress also gets treated like an extra in her drama where she was supposed to be the fl 🙃

— mel (@hunnbeen) May 29, 2024

I'm sorry but how dumb is the industry. She single handedly carried so many dramas with her performance, roles that even a veteran w 20 years of experience might not be able to carry out, she did with such little experience as a lead & she's not receiving love calls? If my… https://t.co/yaOyH2KaRQ

— Soljaeverse ⁷✨🇵🇸 (@kdramasverse) May 29, 2024

i thought we were fighting her company but looks like misogyny is the real villain https://t.co/Ev00wCHhUk

— ᴊ ᴏ ᴏ ɴ ☔️ (@jooonyiie) May 29, 2024

I'm never gonna understand how a show becomes a hit and the female lead who's the main protagonist and the heart of the show doesn't get the recognition and love she deserves https://t.co/h9EauSokvH pic.twitter.com/c9qmfMFwxW

— 📺 (@itboypercy) May 29, 2024

This industry has always been misogynistic but it still shocks me that her most recent appearance was with the ml and she had no individual schedules so far…actresses really have to work 10 times as hard as their male counterparts just to get half the amount of recognition https://t.co/0pBLMjSIOz

— stressed simp (@filmkdrama) May 29, 2024

The Red Sleeve was the first hit sageuk of 2020s but Lee Seyoung was robbed of every awards she deserve. Kim Jiwon the fl of the 2nd highest rated cable drama but wasn't nominated in any award shows. Now, Kim Hyeyoon not receiving love calls for hard carrying the show. Misogyny. pic.twitter.com/EMKXsKZSIX

— dia ❦ | Love Next Door soon 🔜 (@xxxtaerixxx) May 29, 2024

 

Many fans believe Kim Hye Yoon has always been overlooked, and now that she is gaining recognition, they are angry that she isn’t being appreciated as much as she should be.

You can read the whole story below.

“Lovely Runner” Kim Hye Yoon Speaks Out About Her Agency Amid Controversy