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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.
Hybe chairman Bang Si-hyuk answers reporters’ question upon his arrival at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on September 15, 2025. Photo: Newsis/AP
South Korea

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

The US embassy in Seoul reportedly asked authorities to allow Bang to travel while under investigation for fraudulent stock trading.

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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

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 Korean actress Han So-hee (left) has distanced herself from her mother’s arrest on illegal gambling charges, while actor Yoo Ah-in was given a one-year sentence for using propofol, the drug that killed Michael Jackson. Photo: Corbis via Getty Images, EPA-EFE/Yonhap
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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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of so-called emerging economies, from China and India to South Korea and Qatar, the ‘developing’ label is outmoded, outdated and patronising.

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People walk along Nanjing Street, Shanghai’s main tourist and shopping street, on January 11. Photo: EPA-EFE
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.

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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NCT Dream perform during the “K-pop Super Live” at the World Cup Stadium in Seoul. Photo: AFP
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.

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

(Left to right) Wonyoung, Sullyoon, Bae, J, Yoon, Minji and other K-pop idols gave up university for fame this year ... but was it worth it? Photos: @for_everyoung10, @nmixx_official, @stayc_highup, @newjeans_official/Instagram
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

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 …

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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?

Tiger Woods, Kate Moss, Kanye West aka Ye, Seo Ye-ji and Johnny Depp were all dropped by brands at some point. Photos: AP, @katemossphoto/Instagram, AFP, @Yejisdoormat/Twitter
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?

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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Bae Suzy in a still from Anna.
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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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

Tattoos may be controversial in the K-pop industry, but some idols – such as BTS’ Jungkook and Jay Park – have begun proudly flaunting their ink. Photos: @jungkook.tattoo, @moresojuplease/Instagram
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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South Korean celebrities

5 times K-pop idols were betrayed by agency staff, from BTS to Lisa

It’s hard to know who to trust in the world of K-pop, so how did BTS, Blackpink, Momoland, Seventeen and Super Junior all end up getting swindled by people in their trusted inner circles?

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