Hwang Bo-ra Says Sorry After Staged Accident Ad Draws Public Outrage

South Korean actress Hwang Bo-ra has issued a public apology following strong backlash over a promotional video in which she depicted a staged traffic accident to advertise a product — a creative decision many viewers found inappropriate.

In a statement released on February 13, Hwang addressed the controversy directly, saying, “Hello, this is Hwang Bo-ra. I sincerely apologize for showing a lack of judgment in the previously posted promotional video.”

The video in question was shared on her personal social media account on February 11 as part of a “group purchase” campaign for macadamia nuts. It began with a dramatized nighttime driving scene that suggested a sudden traffic accident, complete with startled reactions — before immediately cutting to Hwang cheerfully smiling and asking, “Do you want macadamia nuts?” to promote the product.

Many viewers criticized the ad for trivializing a serious situation and turning it into a gimmick, particularly because Hwang herself has previously been involved in a real-life drunk driving incident that led to her driver’s license being revoked — an element that intensified public disapproval.

In her apology, Hwang expressed regret for any discomfort the video caused and pledged to reflect on her actions, emphasizing that she will work to ensure such missteps do not happen again.