Multiple controversies within the Korean entertainment industry have made headlines this year. Here are 7 of them.
1. Former NCT Member Taeil’s Sex Crime
On August 28, NCT’s agency, SM Entertainment, announced that Taeil had been removed from the group due to being under investigation for an unspecified sex crime. Police have stated that Taeil has been under investigation since June and that the victim in this case is an adult woman.
2. BTS Suga’s DUI Case
On the night of August 6, Suga fell outside the Nine One Hannam luxury complex in Hannam-dong from the electric scooter he had been driving while intoxicated. Police discovered and escorted Suga to a nearby police station, where tests revealed that his blood alcohol level greatly exceeded the legal limit. No one was injured during the incident. Korean media has reported that the police investigation into Suga’s DUI has ended, and the case is expected to be forwarded to prosecutors soon.
3. Former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin vs. HYBE
In April, Korean media reported that HYBE had asked Min Hee Jin to step down as CEO of its subsidiary label ADOR amid a power struggle. HYBE had reportedly found evidence that Min Hee Jin was trying to leave HYBE and take ADOR with her to become a separate entity. After months of public feuding, Min Hee Jin has now been dismissed from her role as CEO and replaced by Ju Young Kim, an HR expert. Min Hee Jin, who claims that her removal was unjust, will take on a more creative role within ADOR instead.
4. Han So Hee, Ryu Jun Yeol, and Hyeri
In March, actors Han So Hee and Ryu Jun Yeol became embroiled in a dating controversy that also involved Ryu Jun Yeol’s ex-girlfriend, actress Girl’s Day Hyeri.
5. NCT Haechan and Johnny’s Rumored Fivesome
In June, Haechan and Johnny were accused of sleeping with three women, two of which were reportedly fans of NCT. The rumors began when an X account, @kira_ceo_main, posted a series of photos–allegedly of Haechan, Johnny, and the women–and claimed that the idols had had a fivesome at a hotel. Haechan and Johnny were also rumored to have taken drugs at the time.
SM Entertainment shut down the rumors with this official statement:
Hello, this is SM Entertainment.
Currently, rumors surrounding Johnny and Haechan’s involvement with prostitution, drugs, and other indecent content are being reproduced and spread online. After verifying the facts, these allegations are not true at all, and [these rumors] are criminal acts that seriously defame our artists.
In addition, malicious rumors and slander continue to be spread about NCT and our other artists, including Heechul.
We have already collected sufficient evidence regarding the posts in question and we will not sit and do nothing. We will ensure the perpetrators spreading this information will be punished with no leniency or settlement, regardless of their nationality.
Please be aware that any act of posting malicious content could be subject to punishment.
Thank you.
— SM Entertainment
6. LE SSERAFIM’s Coachella 2024 Live Singing
LE SSERAFIM’s live vocals came under scrutiny following the group’s performance at Coachella 2024. Sakura, in particular, received criticism for her performance, given that she is an industry veteran, not a rookie idol. She addressed the criticism in a statement in Weverse and thanked fans for their support.
7. BLACKPINK Jennie’s Indoor Smoking
In July, Jennie was spotted on video smoking an electronic cigarette indoors while in Capri, Italy. Capri’s laws strictly prohibit people from smoking in enclosed spaces. Moreover, Jennie was criticized for smoking in close proximity to her staff as they worked. Jennie apologized for the incident in an official statement released by her agency, Odd Atelier.
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