In celebration of its 20th anniversary, JoyNews24 conducted a survey from September 30th to October 8th, asking 200 entertainment insiders—including agency staff, producers, and reporters—to select the best and worst of 2024 in Korean entertainment.
Taking the lead as the “most controversial star of 2024” is singer Kim Ho Joong, whose DUI hit-and-run scandal shocked the industry. Kim received an overwhelming 100 votes from respondents.
Kim’s troubles began on May 9th, when he allegedly hit an oncoming taxi in Seoul’s Gangnam district and fled the scene. Afterward, his manager attempted to take the blame, changing clothes with Kim and initially claiming responsibility for the accident. Kim reportedly ignored police calls for nearly 17 hours before finally appearing to deny drinking.
However, surveillance footage later revealed evidence of his inebriation, leading Kim to confess on May 19th, just days before he was detained in June. Adding to the drama, Kim’s agency executive allegedly attempted to destroy evidence by swallowing the car’s dash cam memory card. On September 30th, prosecutors requested a sentence of three years and six months for Kim.
Following Kim, HYBE Chairman Bang Si Hyuk and former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin were voted second and third, respectively, with 37 and 26 votes. Industry insiders cited exhaustion over the ongoing legal battles between Bang and Min, which have been ongoing since April.
Bang’s silence regarding the controversy has only fueled criticism, further intensified by additional scandals, including a rumored relationship with BJ Seyeon and leaked internal HYBE documents that allegedly contained disparaging remarks about artists from rival agencies. Min Hee Jin, on the other hand, has been commended for her direct handling of the legal battle, as well as her first high-profile press conference last April.
Actor Kang Kyung Joon followed in fourth place with eight votes, after a lawsuit revealed an alleged affair. His image as a devoted family man was shattered, leaving fans stunned. Tied for fifth were Jung Joon Young, a former figure in the Burning Sun scandal, and actor Yoo Ah In, both with seven votes. Yoo is currently undergoing trial for drug-related charges, while Jung was reportedly seen making unwanted advances toward women at a club in France after his release.
Also making the list were BJ Seyeon from Netflix’s The Influencer and Seungri, who each garnered two votes, the latter still clinging to his past glory in Southeast Asia with performances of Big Bang hits despite the Burning Sun scandal.
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