"What about acting skills?" - Netizens debate Flying Penguin Korea's BL casting approach after company admits prioritizing looks over acting skills

On November 9, 2025, South Korean production house Flying Penguin Korea sparked a heated debate online after revealing details about its casting process. During a Q&A session on the company’s official Instagram page, @flyingpenguin_korea, the team was asked how they recruit actors for their BL series.

In response, they explained that they usually reach out directly to "handsome" influencers or actors with good physiques or post open casting calls.

For those unaware, the label is known for creating queer and Boys’ Love (BL) web dramas. It said on their Instagram:

"We reach out directly to handsome influencers or actors with good physiques."

While the statement appeared casual, it quickly ignited mixed reactions from fans and netizens across social media. Others said these decisions often resulted in insensitive or badly executed representations of LGBTQ+ relationships. An X user, @Gar_Logan_52, wrote:

"What about acting skills?"

Some users said that this explained why several Korean BL dramas had strong visuals but "terrible acting.” Fans noted that the emotional impact of the shows stemmed from genuine performances, not just visual appeal.

However, not everyone agreed with the backlash. Other fans came to Flying Penguin’s defense. They noted that the company had often featured openly queer actors and deserved credit for its honesty about the industry’s casting methods.

Some pointed out that Flying Penguin remains one of the few small, independent studios in Korea that consistently produces BL content, and called the criticism unfair and excessive. A few also emphasized that one particular post from the Instagram session does not justify the backlash.

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About Flying Penguin Korea and its contribution to the Korean BL industry

Flying Penguin Korea was originally founded as Penguin Agency in 2018. It is an independent production company that focuses on queer storytelling and BL web content. The studio is known for pushing boundaries within the genre, blending romance, humor, and realism. The label had run projects like Only For Fans, Dopamine, Taming the Bad Boy, Twins, and Romancing the Ghost.

Many of its works are available on platforms such as Watcha, Naver, and Likey, as well as YouTube under the “Flying Penguin channel.” The company has also participated in multiple queer film festivals. Some of them include the Seoul Pride Film Festival and the Korea Queer Film Festival. It earned recognition for its efforts to make K-queer content more accessible to wider audiences.

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As discussions about representation and casting continue to evolve, netizens remain divided. Some are demanding more authentic portrayals from the genre. Meanwhile, others appreciate the studio’s transparency and commitment to keeping queer media visible within the Korean entertainment industry.

Edited by Riya Peter