A controversial photo of actor Jung Hae In from the 54th Baeksang Arts Awards resurfaced online, and netizens are talking about it again as they raise a controversy where Jung Hae In was criticized for having made an "inappropriate" pose during the awards show.

The photo, which shows Jung in a front-row center position, is from the awards show in May 2018, where Jung stood for a group picture.

This position is usually for the Daesang or Best Actor/Actress winners. This was when Jung had gotten the Most Popular Actor award only, which was voted on by fans, and he had been in the very front row with fellow nominee and event MC Bae Suzy.

Kbizoom reported that Jung's decision to occupy the central position attracted the heavy criticism of Korean netizens, who called his character "rude" and "desperate for the spotlight."

The incident drew parallels with other veteran actors who had recently bowed to their seniors at similar events, and the amount of respect and regard the newcomers are supposed to show in the film industry.

After criticism rolled in, one Ilgan Sports reporter defended Jung on social media, saying that the actor had been adhering to the directive of event staff where he needed to stand.

Jung had "no intention of being the center of attention," a staff member added, saying that he was just trying to "find his place" in the chaotic group photo scene.

Jung elaborated on the incident during a later interview, saying that he wanted to just get away and that he learned a great lesson because of it.

"I really wanted to run away. I'd be grateful if people could understand this situation," he said.

While this controversy was a bump in the road early in his career, Jung Hae-in has been able to bounce back and gain a great deal of popularity as an actor, landing roles in hit films and dramas like "Love Next Door," "D.P." and "Snowdrop."

The photo resurfacing has led to debate online about the scrutiny that public figures in the entertainment space endure.