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K-pop scandals

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K-pop scandals
From bands breaking up to controversial members making headlines for the wrong reasons, these are the biggest scandals in K-pop.
Tearful K-pop fans gather to mourn their idol at a hospital in Seoul in 2017. Photo: AFP
South Korea

‘She was just a human’: the world forgot K-pop’s suicides. These fans never did

Years after three high-profile K-pop suicides shook South Korea’s idol machine, the grief – and guilt – remains.

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South Korea

South Korean police seek arrest warrant for Hybe’s Bang after travel request

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South Korea

Why do South Korea’s Hallyu heroes find taxes so … taxing?

K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

K-pop star HyunA threatens legal action over defamatory posts about wedding

‘No warnings, leniency or settlements’, singer’s management says of malicious online comments ahead of her wedding to singer Yong Jun-hyung.

K-pop singers HyunA (right) and Yong Jun-hyung have been hit with malicious rumours since announcing their wedding, and HyunA’s management is threatening legal action over them. Photo: Instagram/hyunah_aa
K-drama news

K-drama drama as Han So-hee’s mum arrested and Yoo Ah-in jailed

Korean actress Han So-hee distances herself from mother’s arrest over illegal gambling, as Korean actor Yoo Ah-in is jailed for a year for using propofol, the drug that killed Michael Jackson.

South Korea

South Korea to probe Blackpink’s Jennie’s ‘vaping incident’ after online outrage

Smoking cigarettes or vapes indoors is illegal in South Korea, and footage of the K-pop star smoking a vape triggered online outrage, with Seoul’s foreign ministry saying it had received a formal complaint.

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South Korea

‘Disrespect’: South Korea’s BTS fans demand apology over chart-rigging probe

BTS’ agency Hybe is under scrutiny after it allegedly paid a ransom to individuals who were aware of its unethical business tactics.

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K-pop boy band BTS visit the “Today” Show at Rockefeller Plaza in New York in 2020. Photo: Getty Images
China economy

The View | To call the likes of China and India ‘developing’ is, frankly, insulting

Given the prosperity and world-leading innovations of so-called emerging economies, from China and India to South Korea and Qatar, the ‘developing’ label is outmoded, outdated and patronising.

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South Korea

South Korean police clear K-pop star G-Dragon of drug allegations

The BigBang singer was let off after police failed to obtain testimonies to support the charges against him.

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K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

Fans react to K-pop star G-Dragon being charged over drug use

Big Bang singer G-Dragon was charged this week by police in South Korea with illegal drug use, after news of an investigation of a Parasite actor over similar alleged offences.

Singer G-Dragon attends a Chanel reception in September 2023 in Seoul, South Korea. The K-pop star has been charged with using illegal drugs.Photo: The Chosun Ilbo/JNS/Imazins via Getty Images
Asian cinema: Korean films

Review | Dear Jinri: a heartbreaking interview with K-pop’s Sulli before her suicide

Jung Yoon-suk’s Dear Jinri is a heartbreaking documentary built around the final interview given by K-pop star Sulli of girl group f(x) – recorded ‘shortly before her passing’ in 2019.

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K-pop singer Sulli in a still from “Dear Jinri”. Jung Yoon-suk’s heartbreaking documentary is built around the final interview given by the f(x) group member.
South Korea

‘I will kill’: the murder threats targeting K-pop industry

Winter of aespa girl group, has been targeted, as have staff at SM Entertainment, home to a number of K-pop acts including boy band NCT.

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South Korea

Accused of plagiarism, K-pop star IU warns legal action over ‘baseless’ rumours

A police report lodged by an unnamed individual claims the opening lines of six of the K-pop star’s songs, including Good Day, Red Shoes and Bbibbi, were reportedly copied.

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South Korea

K-pop singer under fire for parents’ ties to convicted rapist’s cult church

Kyoungyoon of boy band DKZ was unaware of the religious activities carried out by his parents and believed them to be part of a ‘normal’ church.

Kyoungyoon of boy band DKZ said through his label that he was unaware of the religious activities carried out by his parents and believed them to be part of a “normal” church. Photo: Instagram/kyoungyoon_dkz
South Korea

K-pop star Ravi probed over hiring broker to dodge military service

The singer is accused of using the services of a middleman, who was recently arrested, to manipulate his health records to evade mandatory conscription.

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K-pop star Ravi. Photo: Instagram
South Korean celebrities

Is fame worth it? 9 K-pop idols who gave up university for showbiz in 2022

Ive’s Wonyoung and Liz, Enhypen’s Jungwon, NMixx’s Sullyoon, Bae and Jinni, StayC’s Yoon and J, and NewJeans’ Minji chose to skip Korea’s CSAT entrance exam to focus on their groups’ activities

Lunar

In 2022, K-pop’s superwomen stand strong

In 2022, K-pop girl groups have turned away from the ultra-feminine to a badass empowering image

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Blackpink

Blackpink concert chaos: could the Born Pink World Tour be the band’s last?

The K-pop queens’ comeback tour lands in Hong Kong in January 2023, but there’s already drama over US$1,300 resale tickets, feuding and disbandment fears …

Blackpink returns to Hong Kong for its Born Pink World Tour from January 13-15, 2023 ... but could this be the group’s last tour together? Photo: @BLACKPINKOFFICIAL/Facebook
Fame and celebrity

10 ugly celebrity endorsement break-ups, from Ye to Johnny Depp

From Ye with Adidas and Aamir Khan with Snapdeal, to Sharon Stone with Dior and Maria Sharapova with Nike – why did these 10 celebs get dropped from repping the world’s biggest brands?

K-pop idols

5 K-pop idols who were ‘kicked out’ of their groups

From Momoland’s and (G)I-dle’s Soojin to 2PM’s Jay Park, Le Sserafim’s Kim Garam and Pentagon’s Dawn, why did these K-pop idols have their contracts cut short by their agencies?

K-pop idols

Why are these 5 K-pop idols getting the short end of the stick?

From Blackpink’s Lisa and NCT’s Yuta to Aespa’s Giselle, Ive’s Liz and Loona’s Vivi, why have these K-pop idols been seemingly excluded from group activities by their agencies?

Ive’s Liz, Blackpink’s Lisa, Aespa’s Giselle and NCT’s Yuta have all been seemingly mistreated by their agencies. Photos: @aespa_official, @lalalalisa_m, @liz__ive, @yuu_taa_1026/Instagram
Blackpink

Blackpink’s Jennie and BTS’ V’s ‘romance’ heats up

New leaked photos are adding fuel to the Blackpink and BTS members’ dating rumours, from a kiss during that alleged Jeju Island date to a hug at a Born Pink party …

Are BTS’ V and Blackpink’s Jennie dating? Here’s everything you need to know. Photos: @1TD6K9DEMuJ5iAq, @jennierubyjane/Twitter
K-drama news

The highly unusual controversy around hit K-drama Anna with Bae Suzy

The director of Anna accused streaming service Coupang Play of re-editing the drama series without her consent. Lee Joo-young says Coupang Play apologised, but it denies that and says it acted within its rights.

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South Korean celebrities

Meet Min Hee-jin, the creative mastermind behind K-pop group NewJeans

From Girls’ Generation to Exo, her creative resume is plenty impressive, but is Min’s styling of Ador’s first girl group a little too controversial for K-pop fans to stomach?

South Korean celebrities

7 K-pop idols who quit their groups shortly after debuting

Le Sserafim’s Kim Garam is officially out just two months after debuting – but which other K-pop idols left their groups early?

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Cho Seung-hee, Junhyeok, Hyuna, Somin and Jang Hyeri all moved on from their K-pop groups very quickly. Photos: @seunghee91_63, @hyunah_aa, @somin_jeon0822, @s2._.hyerii/Instagram; Wikipedia
K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

Opinion | After the NewJeans controversy, should K-pop groups stop debuting minors?

The arrival of new K-pop girl group NewJeans, whose youngest member is 14, has led to heated debate over minors in an often hyper-sexualised industry, and whether age limits are required.

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New K-pop girl group NewJeans, whose members are aged between 14 and 18 years old.
South Korean celebrities

6 K-pop idols with tattoos who aren’t afraid to flaunt them

These 6 stars all like to show off their tattoos despite Korea’s strict rules around them – from BTS’ Jungkook and Got7’s Jackson Wang, to Jay Park and Hyuna

South Korean celebrities

6 Korean stars who survived being cancelled, from Irene to Kim Woojin

K-stars’ personal dramas play out in full view of the public, meaning their reputations can be shattered in the blink of an eye ... but these stars managed to make a comeback

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