Actor Han Ji-min, left, stars as a meticulous headhunting company CEO, alongside Lee Jun-hyuk as her highly competent secretary, in the SBS drama "Love Scout." Courtesy of SBS

The SBS drama "Love Scout," which has been dominating Friday-Saturday ratings, faces a critical setback following revelations about director Ham Jun-ho's past assault charges.

The production team released an official statement, Monday. "We apologize for causing concern with unpleasant news regarding director Ham Jun-ho," the statement said.

"It is true that director Ham was charged with assault and insult under the influence of alcohol in early 2020. However, he sincerely apologized to all the victims, reached settlements and faced legal consequences. Additionally, the prior offenses reported five years ago were minor misdemeanors unrelated to this case."

"Love Scout" producer Ham Jun-ho / Newsis

The team also said that Ham was suspended following the incident and spent three years in reflection before resuming his directing career. "We ask for viewers' understanding and forgiveness," it said.

The controversy resurfaced after an online community revisited the 2020 case, in which Ham had thrown a soju bottle at a passerby and engaged in indiscriminate assault in Hannam-dong in Yongsan District, Seoul.

Ham returned to production with the 2023 SBS drama "Payback."

The drama "Love Scout," which premiered on Jan. 3, stars Han Ji-min as Kang Ji-yoon, a meticulous headhunting company CEO, and Lee Jun-hyuk as Yoo Eun-ho, her highly competent secretary.

The romantic drama debuted with a 5.2 percent viewership rating and reached 11.3 percent by its fourth episode on Jan. 11, making it the most-watched weekend drama, according to Nielsen Korea.

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