Musical actor Hong Sung Won came under fire after he made offensive remarks against women during his recent musical performance. The incident occurred while Sung Won was performing his Burn The Witch musical at the Hongik University’s College of Engineering Art Centre. During the musical, the actor ad-libbed a Korean proverb that is regarded as highly offensive towards women. Sung Won has since apologised for his hurtful words. Read on to know more.
Hong Sung Won’s Apology For Using Misogynistic Proverb
On September 22, Hong Sung Won apologised for his actions through an Instagram post, which read, “I sincerely apologise for the discomfort caused by my inappropriate expression during the preshow of the musical Burn the Witch.” He added, “I accept the heavy responsibility for disappointing the audience and my colleagues,” and said, “I will be more cautious in my words and actions moving forward.”
What Did Hong Sung Won Say During Burn The Witch Musical Performance?
The controversial proverb that Hong Sung Won used during his performance was, “If a hen crows, the family will fall apart.” The reason this is particularly controversial is that the proverb is a derogatory remark towards women. It means that if a woman interferes in her husband’s affairs, household matters will not go well. The South Korean gender ministry even listed the saying as a term that hinders gender equality and has it listed under terms that should not be used.
During an ad-lib segment, Hong allegedly inquired of the audience, “Is there anyone who would like to watch the performance several times more thrillingly? ” before pointing at a front-row spectator and giving them a part. He then continued by using the proverb.
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One attendee later shared their account on social media, expressing shock at the outdated proverb. The audience member admitted they initially withheld judgment, hoping the remark might connect to the play’s context. However, after watching the full performance, they concluded that the comment felt unnecessary and inappropriate.
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Hong Sung-won, who made his debut in 2019 with the musical Excalibur, has since been involved in projects like Black Mary Poppins, Clover, and The Time of Dogs and Cats. He also played Kim Tae I in tvN’s hit 2025 K-Drama Our Unwritten Seoul.