If you thought your 2025 couldn’t get any more unpredictable, brace yourself. Siddhant Chaturvedi has just gone full K-drama hero in a dreamy ad with South Korean star Chae Soo-bin. No, this isn’t a teaser for a new Netflix rom-com, though frankly, it should be. It’s a campaign for Crocs Japan. And yes, the internet is spiralling in multiple languages.

Set against the backdrop of a rainy day, the ad gives super dreamy vibes. Siddhant accidentally splashes Chae Soo-bin with water, their eyes lock, his car conveniently breaks down, and she offers him her umbrella. The two then walk side by side, sharing said umbrella, before she hits him back with a playful splash aimed right at his Crocs. It’s everything you’d expect from a cross-cultural romance.

Siddhant Chaturvedi’s Korean debut

 

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Across X, Instagram, and Reddit, fans are swooning over the unexpected pairing. One fan commented, “Korean actress Chae Soo‑bin with Indian actor Siddhant Chaturvedi filmed in India for a Crocs Japan ad… what kind of crossover is this?” Another added, “It truly is! Their chemistry … it’s like watching a mini K-drama unfold in just a few seconds.” The visuals, the mood, the soft-glance storytelling – it is all giving peak romantic drama energy. In fact, the demand for more is already in full swing, with viewers saying things like, “Now I want a drama casting them!” The buzz had already begun even before the ad officially dropped, thanks to behind-the-scenes images of Chae Soo-bin in Mumbai, teasing just enough to send fans into full speculation mode.

Not everyone is head over heels

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However, this being the internet, there has been some backlash, too. Several viewers pointed out that he looked unusually pale, sparking accusations of “whitewashing” in the post-production process.

It’s part of a wider problem of beauty filter effects, where brown skin gets smoothed, softened, and lightened to ‘fit’ into East Asian or Western beauty norms. It’s an awkward reminder that even when we celebrate inclusion, representation often comes with strings (or filters) attached. And let’s be honest, if you’re casting a brown actor but editing out his brownness, are you really pushing for diversity or just repackaging it?

Nonetheless, for Siddhant, this isn’t just a commercial gig. It’s a major international moment where he’s selling leading-man energy to a whole new audience. With Dhadak 2 on the horizon, this quiet global push adds yet another layer to his rising-star arc.

Would we binge-watch a show starring these two? Let us know what you think about Siddhant Chaturvedi’s Korean ad.

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