Ha Ji-won chose to release viral drunken dance footage over agency concerns

Actress Ha Ji-won agreed to release her intoxicated dancing scene from the web variety show "Zzanbro" after entertainer Shin Dong-yup persuaded her to keep the footage despite her agency's requests to edit it out.

Actress Ha Ji-won has revealed the behind-the-scenes details of why her "drunken dance" scene, which became a hot topic on YouTube, was released despite requests from her agency to edit it. The decision to not hide her somewhat embarrassing intoxicated appearance was the result of persuasion from entertainer Shin Dong-yup and Ha Ji-won's willing agreement.

In the JTBC digital studio web variety show "Jiwon, Class of 2026," which was released on the afternoon of the 12th, Ha Ji-won appeared alongside Shin Dong-yup and Park Young-jin. During the episode, Shin Dong-yup brought up the story regarding the release of the drunken dance scene that had recorded high views when Ha Ji-won appeared on the web variety show "Zzanbro."

According to Shin Dong-yup, upon reviewing the rough cut at the time, Ha Ji-won's agency requested that the scene of the actress dancing while heavily intoxicated be edited out. While it was a matter worthy of careful consideration given the actress's image and public impression, Shin Dong-yup judged it would be a shame to delete a scene that revealed Ha Ji-won's honest and cute charm.

Ultimately, Shin Dong-yup contacted Ha Ji-won directly to propose the option of releasing the scene as it was. The proposal suggested that instead of hiding her intoxicated state, it could be accepted as a natural charm, and Ha Ji-won reportedly readily accepted this. Contrary to the agency's concerns, the drunken dance scene remained in the video because the person involved agreed to the release.

As a result, the scene recorded high viewership after its release and became a topic of conversation online. Ha Ji-won's human side, which differed from the serious and intense image she usually shows in her works, drew the interest of viewers. Rather than the image of a perfectly managed star, her honest actions revealed in the moment acted as content that increased friendliness and favorability.

On this day, Shin Dong-yup also spared no praise for Ha Ji-won's sincerity. He introduced an anecdote where Ha Ji-won, who previously appeared on "Zzanbro," promised to officiate Jeong Ho-cheol's wedding and actually kept that promise.

“Jiwon doesn't make empty remarks without sincerity,” Shin Dong-yup said, adding, “She tries even harder to keep those promises when the cameras are not rolling.” He highly evaluated Ha Ji-won's attitude of trying to keep promises in private settings, as well as her pleasant appearance on broadcasts.

Following the series of anecdotes—from agreeing to reveal her honest self despite her agency's dissuasion to keeping promises outside of the camera—Ha Ji-won's unadorned personality and sincerity are drawing attention once again.

Read the original (Korean)