[PC stories/KPOP takes] THE BIGGEST K-POP SCANDALS THROUGH THE YEAR (2015-2025)

Every year, there always seems to be one K-entertainment scandal that dominates conversations, whether it’s about idols, actors, agencies, or the darker side of the industry. Since we’re close to the end of the year, I thought it would be interesting to look back at 2015 → 2025 and remember the controversies that shaped fan discussions the most.

📅 2015:

1. Jung Joon-young -- KakaoTalk chatrooms (origins)
Long before it blew up in 2019, Jung Joon-young secretly filmed himself having intimate encounters with women without their consent and shared the videos in private KakaoTalk chatrooms with celebrity acquaintances. These chats date back to 2015–2016 and later became central to the wider Burning Sun revelations. This later became one of the core issues when the Burning Sun scandal broke.

2. Tzuyu (TWICE) -- Flag Controversy

On a TV broadcast, a teen Tzuyu held a Taiwanese flag, and it suddenly exploded into a political storm. Chinese netizens accused her of supporting Taiwanese independence, boycotts started, and JYP released a public statement. Tzuyu even filmed a public apology video in January 2016, which upset many fans.
It showed how idols can get pulled into geopolitics even when they didn’t intend to.

📅 2016: Fallout from the Tzuyu incident -- idol image vs. nationalism

The incident carried into 2016 and influenced discussions about nationalism, Chinese market power, and how carefully idols are managed. Agencies became much stricter afterward, realizing one small gesture could affect international business.

📅 2017: T.O.P (BIGBANG) -- Marijuana Charge

T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyun) was investigated and convicted for marijuana use. The court handed a 10-month jail term suspended for 2 years (probation) Given South Korea’s strict drug laws, the case resulted in heavy public backlash, a suspended sentence, and a long pause in his public activities.
Fans started debating whether punishment toward idols is harsher than toward other celebrities.

📅 2018: Heart Signal Controversies -- Reality TV Cast Troubles

The dating reality show Heart Signal 2 faced backlash when one of its cast members, Kim Hyun-woo, was arrested for drunk driving while the show was still airing.
It didn’t stop there. Since then, other cast members from the show’s later seasons were tied to controversies, including accusations of school bullying against Lee Ga-heun and Cheon An-na, and Kim Kang-yeol (fined) admitting to a****lting a woman at a club.

A 2019 scandal from the same franchise involved Kang Sung-wook, who was later sentenced to prison (received multi-year sentencing reduced on appeal) for SA relating to a 2017 case.
Fans started questioning how casually reality shows pick cast members, and whether producers check backgrounds thoroughly, since many were “normal people” suddenly thrust into fame.

📅 2019: Burning Sun & Illegal Video Chatrooms

Probably the most shocking scandal of the decade. What started as a nightclub case turned into investigations about drug distribution, pr*****ution/tr****king, police corruption, and illegal spy-cam recordings (molka). It involved multiple well-known figures like Seungri and Jung Joon-young, who were charged/arrested along with Yong Jun-hyung (BEAST/Highlight), and Choi Jong-hoon (F.T. Island) who left the industry after involvement in chatrooms was revealed.

📅 2020: AOA B**lying Allegations -- Mina vs. Jimin

Former member Mina accused fellow member Jimin of years of bullying that contributed to her mental health struggles. The controversy went viral, both members apologized, and Jimin retired from entertainment amid backlash.

📅 2021: B**lying controversies -- two big items

1. APRIL vs. Lee Hyun-joo
Similar discussions returned a year later when APRIL (apart from Rachel and Chaekyung who joined the group later) faced bullying/mistreatment allegations of former member Lee Hyunjoo. Through court documents, it was revealed that Naeun admitted to certain accused incidents such as putting heavily fermented Cheon Guk Jang stew in Hyunjoo’s tumbler, as well as using her shoes. Later, the members took out several different counter lawsuits against Hyunjoo, all of which were rejected by the court.
The group eventually disbanded beginning of 2022.

2. Soojin ((G)I-DLE)

In early 2021, Soojin, former member of (G)I-DLE, was accused of school b**lying by multiple classmates. Actress Seo Shin-Ae also publicly claimed Soojin b**lied her. The allegations led to Soojin halting activities, parting ways with the group, and facing intense public backlash.

📅 2022: Produce 101 -- Mnet Vote Manipulation

Investigations revealed that producers/directors (notably Ahn Joon-young) manipulated rankings across multiple seasons. Trainees who should have debuted didn’t, and others debuted unfairly. Groups like X1 and Iz*One were directly affected, producers were jailed, and viewers felt betrayed because they had paid to vote. It raised questions about how many other survival shows might not be as “real” as advertised.

📅 2023: Kim Garam (LE SSERAFIM) -- B**lying Backlash

2023 saw wave after wave of bullying accusations against idols and actors. Some were proven false, others true, and some stayed unclear. After debuting, Kim Garam of LE SSERAFIM faced school b**lying accusations and controversial past photos, leading to public backlash. Due to the intensity of claims, she went on hiatus and ultimately left the group.

📅 2024: NewJeans vs. ADOR/HYBE -- Power Struggle

One of the biggest controversies of 2024 and a rare situation where internal agency disputes became fully public. NewJeans’ dispute with ADOR (HYBE) became a headline story: Lawsuits, audits, public accusations, media leaks, and a rebranding moment (the group later referenced “NJZ”). Fans and non-fans alike debated who was right, but the bigger takeaway was how powerful agencies are, and how fragile idol careers can actually be.

📅 2025: Yoo Ah-in -- Drug Conviction & Industry Turmoil

In 2025, top actor Yoo Ah-in was convicted for habitual drug abuse involving multiple substances and sentencing with probation, causing major backlash, dropped endorsement deals, and project cancellations. This became one of the most serious legal downfalls for a leading Korean actor in recent years.

Other 2025 controversies included cultural-sensitivity/backlash incidents (e.g., livestream controversies involving Kiss of Life) that fueled global discussions on representation.

Every one of these controversies led to major fan reactions and debates, whether it was criminal charges, accusations of b**lying, industry manipulation, or legal feuds. Many made people rethink how the entertainment world actually works behind the polished façade.

👉 Which year do you think had the most shocking scandal?
👉 Which scandal made the biggest impact on you as a fan?
👉 Did any of these scandals change the way you view celebs and agencies?

I’m curious to read everyone’s thoughts.

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