South Korean actress Jun Ji Hyun has firmly denied rumors that an advertisement scheduled for filming in China was canceled due to alleged anti-China sentiment sparked by a line in her current drama, 'Tempest'.
On September 23 KST, a representative from Jun’s agency told,
“The commercial in question had already been in the process of being wrapped up before the drama aired. The timing is purely coincidental and unrelated to the series.”
The agency added that it had confirmed this internally and that the speculation was baseless.
Jun Ji Hyun currently stars in 'Tempest', a Disney+ espionage melodrama where she plays Moon Ju, a UN ambassador drawn into a high-stakes political conspiracy following an assassination attempt on a presidential candidate. As Moon Ju partners with a mysterious agent named Sanho (played by Kang Dong Won), they uncover a truth that could destabilize the Korean peninsula.
The controversy emerged after a line delivered by Jun’s character in the drama sparked backlash from some Chinese viewers. In the scene, Moon Ju says:
“Why does China prefer war? A nuclear bomb could fall on the border region.”
The line, viewed by some as politically charged, ignited criticism and calls for a boycott on Chinese social media.
Amid this reaction, rumors spread that a Chinese advertisement featuring Jun Ji Hyun had been canceled, allegedly due to rising tensions. However, her agency has denied any connection between the drama and her commercial activities.
Despite the backlash, Tempest remains one of the most talked-about series on Disney+, praised for its intense political narrative and star-studded cast.
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