Actor Jung Hae-in has unexpectedly found himself in hot water—not for anything he said or did, but because of who he follows on Instagram.
Following the recent controversies surrounding actor Kim Soo-hyun, public attention has extended beyond Kim himself to those associated with him. Jung Hae-in, who is part of the ’88s’ celebrity friend group including Kim Soo-hyun, G-Dragon, and others, continues to follow Kim on Instagram. This has triggered a bizarre wave of demands from some netizens urging him to “unfollow” Kim, suggesting that continued support implies agreement with Kim’s alleged misconduct.
The pressure intensified after fellow actor and ’88s’ member Im Si-wan cleared out his follow list, reportedly only keeping his agency. Despite the fact that social media interactions are not legally or morally binding, fans and critics alike have started scrutinizing follow lists as if they were statements of political allegiance.
Korean Reactions: Frustrated with Public Overreach
Many Korean netizens defended Jung Hae-in and criticized the absurdity of the situation, highlighting how parasocial culture often crosses the line into unhealthy territory.
Top Korean Comments (Source : Nate)
“We share everything like brothers.” (👍 368 / 👎 57)
“Let him live his own life. You’re not living it for him.” (👍 306 / 👎 54)
“You busybodies… maybe focus on your own lunch menu today.” (👍 245 / 👎 48)
“Just because they’re close friends doesn’t mean he’s guilty too. People bond for many reasons.” (👍 38 / 👎 12)
“Kim Soo-hyun should just delete his account if it’s causing this much drama.” (👍 32 / 👎 14)
“Why is unfollowing such a big deal? You people are ridiculous.” (👍 29 / 👎 4)
“Leave them be. Friends are friends.” (👍 27 / 👎 7)
Global Reactions: Defending Privacy and Autonomy
International netizens were even more vocal in condemning the demands, with many pointing out the toxic culture of forcing celebrities to publicly disassociate from each other.
Top Global Comments (Source : allkpop)
“Leave that man alone. He can be friends with whomever he chooses.” (👍 35 / 👎 5)
“This is the problem with Korean society. They bully people relentlessly then act shocked when tragedy strikes.” (👍 33 / 👎 6)
“Unfollowing doesn’t mean they’re not friends anymore.” (👍 12)
“Social media isn’t real life. People are being ridiculous.” (👍 8 / 👎 1)
“Don’t force him to hide his friendship just because you disapprove.” (👍 4 / 👎 2)
“Ah yes… the classic ‘guilty by association’ nonsense.” (👍 2 / 👎 2)
Cultural Reflection: A Manufactured Controversy
This situation highlights a growing tension between Korea’s hyper-attuned fan culture and global attitudes toward personal autonomy. In Korea, many fans feel emotionally invested in celebrities’ lives to the point where even the act of following or unfollowing someone on social media is treated as a public declaration of values. For some, silence or neutrality isn’t just suspicious—it’s offensive.
This intense expectation for moral clarity extends not only to public statements, but even to passive associations. As a result, figures like Jung Hae-in are expected to take a side simply to preserve their public image, regardless of personal intent or context.
On the global side, however, netizens overwhelmingly viewed the situation as trivial and invasive. Rather than interpreting a “follow” as moral endorsement, they saw it as a personal choice—one that shouldn’t be policed by the court of public opinion. For international audiences, the drama was not Jung Hae-in’s loyalty, but the internet’s readiness to weaponize social media behavior.
Ultimately, this wasn’t a true controversy—it was a reflection of how public expectations around celebrity conduct are drifting further apart between cultures.
And in that gap, even the smallest gesture—like an Instagram follow—can spark global debate.