"Goblin" star Gong Yoo was recently the subject of a controversy after a Chinese media outlet claimed that he was suffering from health issues. The actor's agency, Management SOOP, immediately shut down the report and said that there is no truth to it.
Gong Yoo's agency explained that he is not suffering from any serious health issues, although he's been tired lately as "Goblin" is currently in the final stages of filming. The agency further stated that the report is a result of misinterpretation after Chinese fans showed concern for the actor and wrote on social media that he doesn't look so well.
"It seems a rumor that started on Chinese social media got distorted. [Gong Yoo] is currently filming to the best of his ability," Soompi quoted Gong Yoo's agency.
Meanwhile, "Goblin" has been maintaining its popularity streak as it reaches record-breaking high ratings. For its 11th episode, "Goblin" scored an average TV rating of 15 percent, and peaked at 17.2 percent for the episode.
The hit drama series, however, is not without controversy. "Goblin" was under fire stereotyping female characters as the damsel in the distress and never the hero. Although other drama series have already introduced strong and independent female characters, tvN's "Goblin" features a female lead who is naïve and always in need of rescuing.
"Female viewers find comfort in these characters," culture critic Ha Jae Geun told The K-Pop Herald. "Female viewers find comfort in these characters. But their very support of such characters could lead to a decline in women's social status."
The fact that Ji Eun Tak, played by Kim Go Eun, is portrayed as a high school student also fuels the fire especially since it appears that a young woman such as herself relies so much on a 30-something man played by Gong Yoo.