Critically acclaimed actor Park Jeong Min is currently in talks to take on the lead role in a highly anticipated new drama, “A Man’s Man” (working title).
The series is based on a popular web novel and subsequent webtoon, signaling a potential shift for the versatile actor into a fantasy drama rooted in themes of second chances and redemption.
The report was released on November 21, 2025, and quickly confirmed by the actor’s agency, SEM Company.
Agency Confirms Role Offer and Review
In response to the media report, Park Jeong Min’s agency, SEM Company, issued a statement confirming that the project is under consideration.
The agency shared,
“He received an offer to star in the drama ‘A Man’s Man.’ It is a project currently under review.”
This cautious but positive confirmation has fueled excitement, particularly given the impressive reputation of the source material and the production team involved.
Park Jeong Min (Credit: YouTube)
If confirmed, this would mark one of Park Jeong Min’s most high-profile drama roles to date.
The Story: Loss, Regret, and Reincarnation
“A Man’s Man” is adapted from a hit web novel by Lucas that was successfully adapted into a webtoon in 2020.
The source IP is a global success, boasting an immense following with 470 million cumulative global views.
The story centers on the life of Han Yu Hyeon (the role offered to Park Jeong Min). Han Yu Hyeon is portrayed as an ordinary office worker who relentlessly chases success, eventually rising to the position of a powerful CEO.
However, his singular pursuit of power leads him to lose everything he loves. The core plot device involves a fantasy element where he is granted a second chance, returning to his younger days to live his life over again and make different choices.
Director and Production Timeline
The drama is set to be helmed by director Kim Hie Won, who is rapidly building a reputation for high-quality production.
Kim Hie Won is known for helming the Disney+ original series “Light Shop” and is a highly respected figure in the drama world.
It is important to note that this director is a highly-acclaimed female director, whose notable works include Vincenzo and Little Women, demonstrating a strong ability to manage complex, character-driven narratives with high production value.
The convergence of a veteran actor like Park Jeong Min with such a visionary director suggests a project aiming for critical and commercial success. Furthermore, filming for “A Man’s Man” is currently slated to begin sometime in 2026.
Park Jeong Min’s Versatility and Fit
Park Jeong Min is a celebrated figure in the Korean entertainment industry, recognized for his exceptional versatility and ability to embody deeply complex characters.
He has garnered critical acclaim and numerous awards for his roles in films like Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet and Deliver Us from Evil.
His ability to portray everything from a tragic historical figure to a flamboyant supporting villain, as seen in Smugglers, makes him an ideal candidate for the emotionally heavy yet potentially action-packed role of Han Yu Hyeon.
His potential casting in a major web novel adaptation, especially one with a time-reversal fantasy element, is highly anticipated by fans eager to see him return to the small screen in a leading role.
Anime fans are used to seeing studios take inspiration from many places, but a recent controversy has crossed a line for many people in the community. An anime studio has been accused of using fan art in an official trailer without giving any credit to the original artist. What started as a few screenshots shared online quickly turned into a full investigation by fans, leading to public backlash and an eventual apology from the studio.
The issue began when viewers noticed a familiar-looking frame in a newly released trailer for an upcoming anime. The pose, lighting, and background composition seemed very similar to a popular illustration that had been posted on Pixiv months earlier.
At first, people thought it might just be a coincidence. After all, many artists may come up with similar ideas, especially in popular genres like fantasy, action, and romance. But as more fans placed the two images side by side, the similarities became much harder to ignore.
The character’s position, the angle of the shot, the way the hair flowed, and even the placement of small background details looked almost identical. Some fans overlaid the images and found that almost every major element lined up perfectly.
This made many people believe that the trailer’s frame was not just inspired by the fan art, but directly copied from it. The side-by-side comparisons quickly spread across social media, gaining thousands of likes and shares within hours.
Demon Slayer Franchise (Credits: Koyoharu Gotouge)
Anime Studio Apologizes After Fan Art Appears in Official Trailer Without Credit
They also explained that their work was created independently as a personal project, not for any company or official production. While they felt somewhat honored that their art was seen as worthy of a professional trailer, they were also hurt and disappointed that it was used without any acknowledgment.
As the posts gained attention, more artists and fans joined the discussion. Many people argued that taking fan art without permission was a serious breach of trust. Fan artists often share their work online for free, driven by passion and love for the medium.
Using that work in an official, monetized project without credit or payment felt like exploitation to many. Some artists even said it made them afraid to share their work online in the future, worried that a studio might simply take it.
Others tried to defend the studio, suggesting that a single animator or staff member might have used the image as a reference without informing higher management. They argued that the studio itself might not be fully responsible, and that the situation could have been an internal mistake. However, most fans agreed that even if it was a mistake, it still needed to be taken seriously and addressed properly.
After two days of growing criticism, the studio finally released an official statement. In it, they admitted that a reference image had been used in the creation of the trailer frame and that it closely resembled a fan-made artwork.
They apologized to the original artist and to the fans who felt disappointed by their actions. The studio claimed that the situation was caused by a failure in their internal checking process and that they had not intended to steal or copy anyone’s work.
They also promised to review their creative guidelines and introduce stricter rules about using reference materials in the future. According to the statement, the studio planned to contact the artist privately to discuss proper credit and possible compensation. This response helped calm the situation slightly, but many fans are still waiting to see if the studio follows through on those promises.
Pixiv Artist Goes Viral as Fans Expose Alleged Copy in New Anime Promo
The fan artist later thanked the community for supporting them and said they were in talks with the studio. They did not express anger, but made it clear that artists deserve respect for their work, no matter their status. Their calm and mature response earned them even more support from fans around the world.
This situation has sparked a wider discussion about the relationship between big studios and independent creators. Today, many professional artists start as fans who share their drawings online. The line between hobby and career can sometimes blur. That is why many people believe it is important for companies to treat fan-created content with the same respect as any other original work.
Some fans also pointed out that anime studios are under intense pressure to produce content quickly and cheaply. Tight deadlines and overworked staff can lead to shortcuts and mistakes. While this does not excuse the behavior, it does help explain how such a thing could happen. Still, the general opinion is that large companies have a responsibility to set a higher standard, not lower it.
One Piece Franchise (Credits: Eichiro Oda)
In the end, the controversy is a reminder of how powerful and connected the fan community has become. A single frame in a trailer might have gone unnoticed years ago. Now, thousands of people can analyze, compare, and hold companies accountable within hours. For many, this is a positive change, showing that artists, no matter how small, can have their voices heard.
As the anime industry continues to grow globally, situations like this may become more common. The hope among both fans and creators is that studios will learn from this moment. Respect, credit, and honesty are simple things, but they matter deeply. Whether the studio truly changes its practices or not, this incident has already left a lasting mark on the conversation around art, inspiration, and ownership in the anime world.
