'Love Scout' featuring Lee Jun-hyuck and Han Ji-min Seemed Unstoppable—Now Faces Shocking Controversy

The SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'Love Scout', currently enjoying soaring ratings, has been swept up in controversy as revelations about director Ham Joon-ho’s criminal record have come to light.

On January 13, SBS issued an official statement addressing the matter, apologizing for causing public concern. “We regret to confirm that Ham Joon-ho PD was involved in an incident of assault and insult under the influence in early 2020,” the network admitted. The controversy resurfaced after past news reports of Ham’s actions were circulated on online forums. On March 1, 2020, Ham, heavily intoxicated, caused a scene in Seoul's Hannam-dong by pouring soju(Korean alcohol) on passersby and engaging in unprovoked assaults. Even after being apprehended, he reportedly shouted at officers and hurled sexualized insults at a young female police officer.

Ham was charged with special assault, injury, and insult. The police even requested a detention warrant considering his prior criminal record, but the prosecution denied the request, and he was subsequently released. SBS clarified, “Ham Joon-ho PD sincerely apologized to all victims, sought their forgiveness, and reached settlements, leading to a legal resolution. The incident cited in the 2020 reports was classified as a misdemeanor unrelated to this case.” The network further stated, “Ham was suspended according to company protocol and spent three years in reflection before returning to directing.”

After his hiatus, Ham returned in 2023 to direct the SBS drama 'Payback' and is now leading the highly successful 'Love Scout', starring Han Ji-min and Lee Jun-hyuk. The romantic drama, which tells the story of headhunting company CEO Kang Ji-yoon (Han Ji-min) and her flawless secretary Yoo Eun-ho (Lee Jun-hyuk), has seen remarkable ratings growth—from 5.2% in its premiere episode to 11.3% by episode 4 (according to Nielsen Korea).

However, the resurfaced controversy threatens to overshadow the drama’s success. Critics have raised questions about SBS’s decision to reinstate Ham as a director, with many pointing to the severity of his past actions. Online forums are abuzz with discussions about both the gravity of the incident and the network’s leniency in handling Ham’s return.

SBS had previously addressed the 2020 incident, stating, “We consider the assault allegations involving our drama PD on March 1 as a very serious matter. An investigation is underway, and we will handle the issue in accordance with our company regulations.” But with the director now at the helm of a high-profile drama, public backlash has intensified, putting SBS under pressure to provide further explanations.

As 'Love Scout' continues its impressive ratings streak, it remains to be seen how this controversy will impact the drama’s trajectory and the public’s perception of the network.