It was confirmed that Kim Junghyun refused to do any physical contact not only during the press conference of the drama 'Time' but also during the photoshoot that became a part of the drama promotion activity.
The photoshoot session with a fashion magazine took time 10 days before the press conference. He and Seohyun were supposed to do a couple photoshoot to match the concept of the drama they were promoting. However, Kim Junghyun refused to do any physical contact on the set. As the result, this picture of the two of them with more than 30cm distance is the only couple picture they took.
Usually, couple pictorials that are part of promotion activities for dramas or movies, are done to show the chemistry the couple didn't show in the dramas or movies they're promoting. Whether it brings out their characters in the dramas or movies, or not, the purpose is to show the chemistry between the couple. Most of these pictorials require physical contact and some specific poses.
A was one of the staffs during the photoshoot, reveals, "Before the photoshoot, we already showed them the mood board and delivered the poses or vibes we're going to have in the pictorials. It was very unusual for an actor to refuse to do physical contact on the set, the editor was very shocked to hear that. At the end of the photo shoot, the photographer requested him to put his hand on Seohyun's shoulder and he still refused"
According to the mood board, they were supposed to do poses like back hugs, resting on each other's foreheads, leaning on the shoulders, and any other natural physical contact. They were supposed to have 2 to 3 cuts of couple pictures and each of them gets 1 individual cut.
Another staff, B, reveals "Kim Junghyun already checked out the mood board before the photoshoot. He asked, 'I have to do it exactly like this?', and I replied, 'It may differ according to the situation. But once he came to the set, he refused to do any physical contact, making all of the staffs were very bewildered."
Another staff, C, continues "It would be so much better if he said he couldn't do it in the very first place. He accepted the work, basically saying he would do it. He already looked at the mood board beforehand, and yet he refused to do any of it once he was on the set. It was very unprofessional. He received a lot of criticism from staffs on set"
There are speculations that Kim Junghyun's ill behavior was influenced by Seo Yeji since he was in a relationship with Seo Yeji at that time.
During the press conference of the drama, Kim Junghyun was also seen rejecting Seohyun's offer to link arms and kept his unsincere, poker face throughout the event, causing him to stir conversation among netizens. It's also reported that he had requested to alter the script of the drama numerously so that he wouldn't have to do physical contact.
In the end, he left the drama on the 12th Episode due to his health.
It is true that Kim Junghyun was suffering from health problems due to his eating disorder at that time. However, netizens are speculating that Seo Yeji, his girlfriend at that time, also influenced him somehow. He refused to do any physical contact with his co-star due to the request of Seo Yeji.
On April 12th, Dispatch leaked a conversation between Seo Yeji and Kim Junghyun, in which Seo Yeji told Kim Junghyun to not have any physical contact and romantic scenes. Seo Yeji's reps still haven't given any feedback so far. Her reps also requested the press to not ask questions regarding Kim Junghyun at her movie premiere tomorrow, which later she confirmed to not be attending.
theqoo
-I have never seen a bigger freak than him...
-Seohyun is really professional. I can't even imagine all the things I'd do if I were in her shoes.
-How could such news be buried for so long? Seohyun and the crews are so amazing for keeping silent all this time.
-What the heck is wrong with his expression in the last picture?? Is that from when he started to cause controversies?
-I can't imagine how tough it must've been for Seohyun...
-I don't care if he has shitty personality or anything else. One thing I know is that he should've been professional and do what he was supposed to do. He doesn't deserve to be an actor.
-He should've left the drama since the very beginning if that's how he's going to behave...
-I mean, if he doesn't want to do any physical contact at all, he should've just said no to the pictorial in the first place. It's not mandatory anyway. Just say no, instead of saying yes, but changing your mind last minute, making fool out of everyone. He's such a strange person.
-So the whole industry already knew that he's a freak...
-Seohyun has gone through a lot. If I were her, I probably would've cried my eyes out alreadyㅠㅠ
-Seohyun is really kind and professional... Whoa...
-Kim Junghyun is the most problematic one here...
