Actor Jung Woo-sung at the 43th Blue Dragon Film Awards on Nov. 25, 2022 / Captured from KBS

Actor Jung Woo-sung is reconsidering his attendance at the 45th Blue Dragon Film Awards, following his recent acknowledgment of having a child out of wedlock and the emergence of dating rumors.

An official from his agency, Artist Company said, "Jung Woo-sung is reevaluating his participation in the 45th Blue Dragon Film Awards, scheduled for Nov. 29."

Jung is nominated for Best Actor at this year's Blue Dragon Film Awards for his role in the hit movie "12.12: The Day." Initially, he planned to attend the ceremony despite the controversy over his child, which surfaced on Nov. 24.

However, the situation took a turn after Jung confirmed the news, which was soon followed by rumors of his relationship with a non-celebrity. The heightened attention seems to have led to his reconsideration.

His agency confirmed on Sunday that Jung is the biological father of a son born to model Moon Ga-bi.

Actor Jung Woo-sung and model Moon Ga-bi / Newsis

No ad deal, preparation for fallout?

In the meantime, Jung has not signed any advertising contracts in the past year, leading to speculation that he may have been preparing for potential fallout from the paternity revelation.

Jung has not taken on any endorsement deals since his last ad with NHN Hangame in 2022. Considering his lead role in the 2023 film "12.12: The Day," which surpassed 10 million viewers and elevated his status, his absence from the advertising scene is unusual.

In the past, Jung consistently worked as a brand model for companies like Giordano, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, Wemakeprice, Lotte Himart and Paldo Bibimmyun. His clean image, bolstered by principled remarks and a scandal-free personal life, made him a reliable choice for advertisers.

Some speculate that Jung's decision to step back from endorsements may have been deliberate. Reports from Dispatch and TenAsia suggest that Jung and Moon first met in 2022 at a gathering, and she gave birth to her son in March 2023. It is believed Jung learned of Moon's pregnancy in October 2022.

Further fueling speculation, Jung resigned as a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in July 2023, after nearly a decade in the role.

At the time, he said, "I worried that my image was becoming too closely tied to the UNHCR. Continuous attacks on both the organization and myself created a situation that was not beneficial for either."

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.