Park Bo Gum is hogging the limelight for his recent role in the Netflix K-Drama series When Life Gives You Tangerines. Still, his latest appearance after the series received mixed reactions after drama director Kim Won Seok spoke about the actors' looks.

In the series, Park portrays Yang Gwan Sik, a character the director felt needed a transformation to fit the role.

Kim revealed that he found Park's naturally handsome face to be an obstacle, prompting him to request adjustments to the actor's appearance.

This included tanning Park's skin and encouraging him to gain weight.

"I gained about 4-5 kg for the role," Park said, as quoted by Koreaboo.

"The makeup team applied dark foundation all over my body, from my face to my toes, to create the look of someone who had lived in Jeju for a long time and had been tanned by the sun."

Despite his efforts, Park noted that he still perceived his face as slim when watching the drama.

Korean netizens expressed disbelief at the comments from the director, who felt the need to make Park "less attractive."

Read more: Park Bo Gum's Unconventional Approach to Connecting with Fans and Sharing TMI Moments Goes Viral.

Comments on social media included sentiments like, "Why put in such pointless effort?" and "Just take on roles where you're supposed to be handsome."

International viewers criticized the implications of Kim's remarks, arguing that they suggest harmful beauty standards by associating tan skin and added weight with a decrease in attractiveness.

The reaction has sparked broader conversations about beauty standards in the film industry.

Controversies aside, Park Bo Gum has always been and continues to be praised as a visual god, proving that it takes a lot more than plastic to rid a man of his charm.

While the drama, also starring hit series singer-actress IU, has attracted attention both for its story and the cast's performances, discussions of beauty standards remain a hot topic among fans and critics.

Read more: Park Bo Gum Opens Up About Personal Evolution: "I'm Still In The Process Of Understanding Who I Am."