Biggest Scandals To Ever Hit K-Pop

The Korean Wave, or "Hallyu," has dramatically transformed the global music landscape over the past few decades. It took a few decades for this cultural phenomenon to reach the shores of the United States, but it fully arrived in 2017 in the form of BTS. Also known as the Bangtan Boys, this seven-member boy band has emerged as an uncontested US phenomenon, as labeled by Vox. The crossover success that these boys have enjoyed is likely to inspire other K-pop acts to follow in their perfectly synchronized footsteps.

However, the journey to becoming a K-pop idol is not just about impressive dance moves and a good voice. Aspiring groups need to impress at home before they can even think about America, and the standards they face in South Korea are almost impossibly high. As K-pop columnist Jeff Benjamin noted, the term "idol" implies perfection, placing immense pressure on young artists. Whether solo or part of a group, top K-pop idols adhere to strict rules, including prohibitions on relationships and the necessity of maintaining a certain appearance, often leading to plastic surgery.

In this high-pressure environment, the temptation to stray from management's carefully crafted paths becomes difficult to resist, resulting in numerous scandals over the years. From shocking suicides and mysterious deaths to incidents of revenge porn and blackmail, we will delve into the biggest scandals to ever hit the K-pop industry.

Kim Jong-hyun's Tragic Suicide

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The K-pop community suffered a devastating blow in December 2017 when SHINee's lead singer, Kim Jong-hyun, tragically took his own life at just 27 years old. Fans around the world gathered in Seoul on the day of his funeral, dressed in black and grey to honor their fallen idol. One Chinese fan expressed their grief, stating, "I am so sad that I cannot even cry; my heart aches so much."

According to reports, Jong-hyun's sister raised the alarm after receiving troubling text messages from him. He reportedly told her, "Please let me go," and "Tell me I did well." By the time help arrived, it was too late; he was found unconscious and pronounced dead at a Seoul hospital shortly after. Outrage grew when it was revealed that he had died by suicide, overwhelmed by the pressures placed upon him by the demanding K-pop industry.

In a letter he had given to a friend, Jong-hyun expressed his struggles, stating, "I suffered and agonized about it. I never learned how to turn this pain into happiness. [I] was not meant to lead a life in the public eye. Why did I make those decisions? It’s ridiculous. It’s great that I even made it this far."

K-pop Star Baek Ji-young's Scandalous Sex Tape

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Baek Ji-young is known for two things: her powerful ballads and her scandalous sex tape. In 2001, her career faced a dramatic upheaval when footage of her intimate encounter with her manager was leaked online by the manager himself. After releasing the graphic video, Kim Seok-jin fled to the United States, where he was later arrested for having sex with a minor. By the time he was deported to face charges in South Korea in 2008, Baek's reputation was already severely damaged.

In the aftermath, Baek Ji-young revealed that it became increasingly dangerous for her to hold fan meetings, leading her to organize events at secret locations in South Korea's mountainous regions. "I remember the mountain fan meeting," she recounted on the show Star Gazing. "At that time, I really wanted to do the fan meeting because I couldn’t see my fans any other way. I was worried that they would be criticized because of me."

In 2018, Baek was embroiled in another scandal when her husband, actor Jung Suk-won, was arrested on meth charges. During a concert, she expressed her regret, stating, "I recognize my husband’s misdeed, and as his wife, spouse and lifelong companion, I’ve been deeply regretting it along with him."

Park Yoo-chun Was Hit With Multiple Rape Allegations

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Bringing charges against a celebrity in South Korea can be incredibly risky, as accusers often face severe penalties if the courts don't rule in their favor. This was the case for Park Yoo-chun, who was accused of rape by four women in 2016, allegations he categorically denied. According to reports, these alleged incidents occurred between 2014 and 2016, with one incident taking place in the bathroom of a karaoke bar.

Judge Choi Jong-jin raised doubts about the claims, citing that the bathroom had a lock on the inside, questioning why the accuser didn’t leave or call for help. Ultimately, the first woman to come forward with allegations was sentenced to 20 months in prison, along with her boyfriend and cousin for attempting to blackmail Yoo-chun. He was eventually found not guilty of all charges.

The case highlighted the complexities surrounding accusations against K-pop idols, showcasing the intense scrutiny and pressure that both sides face in such publicized cases.