Kim Hee-chul is facing criticism online following remarks he made during the premiere episode of the new dating reality program Love Is War.

The controversy began during a segment in which the show’s participants took personality and relationship-style tests designed to analyze their dating tendencies. According to the program, Heechul’s results categorized him as an ESTJ type and jokingly described the profile as having strong leadership and dominant characteristics in relationships.

During the discussion, fellow panelist Lee Hyori asked Heechul whether he had ever told a girlfriend to beg or kneel during an argument.

Heechul immediately denied ever forcing anyone to kneel. However, he then surprised the studio by adding:

“Doesn’t everyone tell their partner to kneel at least once when they’re dating?”

The comment was met with immediate pushback from the female panelists, who questioned the statement and asked who would actually do that in a relationship.

Attempting to clarify, Heechul responded by suggesting that some partners might kneel voluntarily without being asked. Rather than calming the situation, the explanation generated even more discussion among viewers.

Shortly after the episode aired, clips of the exchange spread across social media and Korean online communities, where many netizens expressed discomfort with the remarks. Critics argued that the comments appeared to normalize controlling or humiliating behavior in romantic relationships.

A number of users questioned whether Heechul had intended the remark as a joke, while others felt that even in a humorous context it was inappropriate. The discussion quickly became one of the most talked-about moments from the show’s premiere.

Many online comments described the statement as outdated, insensitive, or difficult to understand from a modern relationship perspective. Others argued that the reaction demonstrated how public attitudes toward relationship dynamics and power imbalances have evolved in recent years.

At the same time, some viewers suggested that Heechul may have been attempting to make an exaggerated joke for entertainment purposes rather than expressing a literal belief. Supporters argued that variety shows often encourage provocative or humorous reactions and that the comment may have been taken more seriously than intended.

Nevertheless, the backlash continued to grow as clips circulated across multiple platforms, with many viewers focusing less on the personality test itself and more on Heechul’s response during the conversation.

As of now, neither Heechul nor his agency,  has publicly addressed the criticism.

The incident has once again highlighted how quickly comments made on reality and variety programs can become major controversies, particularly when they touch on sensitive topics such as relationships, respect, and power dynamics between partners. For many viewers, the debate is no longer about a personality test result but about whether certain attitudes toward dating should still be treated as acceptable humor in 2026.