Cebu – Korean actor Kang Ji Hwan was supposed to have a photo shoot for a magazine, but instead had several photos posted online, not intended for the magazine, but with a Filipina, in bed.
The photos immediately fired up controversies as it circulated online; stirring speculations and rumors in South Korea about Kang and his visit to the Philippines. But it seemed the photos were not what it looks like.
A woman named Angel Javier admittedly posted ‘selfies’ with Kang on her Facebook account while the actor was asleep. The photos had a controversial caption ‘Together sleep with Korean actor Mr. Kang Jihwan.’ She also posted pictures of the 37-year-old actor’s sleeping face.
While the surfaced photos received fiery online responses, Kang’s agency denied all the rumors regarding the photo scandal. The agency spokesperson clarified that the pictures were taken by Kang’s local tour guide in Cebu for fun. The woman beside the actor was the wife of the actor’s tour guide; explained the actor’s representative.
The agency could not blame the lady too much because everything was a mere joke said the spokesperson.
Meanwhile, Javier posted an apology on her Facebook account. She wrote “very sorry only edited pictures hope you can forgive me because his my idol sorry again.”
Even with the apology and clarification, the update caused some confusion between the spokesperson’s statement and the woman’s claims. The representative said the photos were meant as a joke while Javier’s post mentioned it was only edited.
Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism Central Visayas Facebook page confirmed the photo shoot was sponsored by the Philippines’ Department of Tourism-Korea. The Korean actor arrived in Cebu on July 9.
Kang flew back to South Korea after the news broke out. He arrived unnoticed at the Incheon Airport on July 12 at 6:30 am, the earliest flight back from Cebu. He was supposed to stay in Cebu until July 13 for the photo shoot for SURE Magazine.
Kang Ji Hwan starred in Korean dramas ‘Lie to Me,’ ‘Capital Scandal,’ ‘Big Man’ and ‘Hong Gil-dong.’
News Source(s) :Manila Bulletin, Korea Herald, Soompi, AllKPop, AsianJunkie
