"Penthouse" actor apologizes for abandoning pets
Click to viewActor Park Eun-seok, a star in popular TV series "The Penthouse: War in Life," has apologized after being criticized for abandoning his pet dog.
"It is my fault that I failed to take charge of a living animal for its whole life ― I admit I am wrong and have been reflecting upon my action," Park, 36, wrote on Instagram Wednesday. "I don't want to make any excuses. I am the one who has to change so other people may realize the seriousness of the issue."
The statement comes after he denied allegations that he had abandoned the dog as well as other furry companions.
"My acquaintances have been raising my pets on my behalf and thankfully revealed that the animals are being well cared for. But this does not mean I am not at fault. I was selfish," Park said. "I will take this opportunity to showcase a better version of myself in the future."
He appeared with his pets on MBC's reality show "I Live Alone" on Jan. 22, making headlines for his affection for animals. But a person who identified himself as Park's former classmate from the Seoul Institute of The Arts, claimed online that the actor abandoned other pets previously.
"My college classmate once told me he switched to a smaller dog because his girlfriend at the time was not fond of the beagle he had," the person wrote. "But he recently appeared on a TV show with two cats and a three-month-old dog. I hope he does not pretend to be an animal lover."
Other people have also questioned Park's sincerity, saying the pets found in his old photos on social media are no longer visible these days.
Park and his agency Hunus denied the accusations at first.
"Park could not take care of his pets due to reasons beyond his control. He feels sorry and still interacts with the animals, which now live with his relative and acquaintances," Hunus said. "We apologize for this, but will take legal action against those spreading rumors and slandering the actor."
Park debuted in 2012 appearing in the play "Cats on the Roof" and has performed in a series of other theatrical works. He appeared most recently in the SBS drama "Penthouse" and played a double role as physical education teacher Gu Ho-dong and rich man Logan Lee.
source: The Korea Times & KOCOWA TV