'I've lost even more,' actor Hwang Jung-min says, appearing thinner amid stalking legal battle

Actor Hwang Jung-min appeared noticeably thinner in a recent public appearance as he prepares to return to the musical stage, amid an ongoing legal dispute over a stalking claim.

A video titled "What happened at the Mrs. Doubtfire musical meet-and-greet" was posted Saturday on actor Jeong Sang-hun's YouTube channel "Jeong Sang-hun Bijeong Sanghun."

In the video, Jeong described the gathering as "an important occasion where actors and staff come together to discuss the production and do a table read."

Hwang, one of the cast members of the musical Mrs. Doubtfire, appeared at the rehearsal alongside fellow cast and crew, looking visibly slimmer in his first camera appearance in some time.

When Jeong remarked that Hwang looked like he had put on a little weight, Hwang replied, "No, I've lost even more."

Hwang also cheered Jeong on, saying, "I heard you're doing YouTube — keep it up, Jeong Sang-hun Bijeong Sanghun!"

Hwang was drawn into a privacy controversy in July involving a fan in their 40s, identified only as A, who claimed to have had a private relationship with him. Hwang pushed back, saying he had been the victim of stalking.

In September, the Goyang Branch of Uijeongbu District Court sentenced A to a fine of 6 million won ($4,470) and ordered 40 hours of a stalking treatment program after finding A guilty of violating the Stalking Punishment Act. A appealed the ruling, and the legal battle is ongoing. The two sides are also pursuing separate civil litigation.