In the Korean entertainment world, scandals can quickly ruin reputations—yet some stars manage to clear their names and make remarkable comebacks. Here are six Korean stars who faced major scandals that nearly ended their careers but managed to make remarkable comebacks.
Kim Seon Ho
Kim Seon Ho was embroiled in a major controversy in 2021 after his ex-girlfriend Choi made public allegations against him. Choi claimed that he had exhibited problematic behavior and forced her to have an abortion. As a result of these allegations, Kim Seon Ho was dropped from advertisements, the final interview for the drama Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, the films Dog Days and 2 O’Clock Date, as well as the variety show 1 Night 2 Days.
However, a Dispatch report revealed that most of her claims were false. Through evidence provided by Kim Seon Ho and the ex-girlfriend’s acquaintances, Dispatch reported that the two had agreed to have an abortion and that Kim Seon Ho had proposed marriage afterward. It was also revealed that he had been preparing to marry her even after the abortion and that the ultimate reason for their breakup was due to the ex-girlfriend’s constant lies.
With these facts coming to light, Kim Seon Ho quickly returned to the screen through theater productions and Park Hoon Jung’s film The Childe.
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Lee Byung Hun
Lee Byung Hun is a notable figure who overcame controversy through his acting talent. In 2015, he faced the biggest career crisis due to a scandal involving his private life. A female model and a girl group member extorted a large sum of money from him by threatening to release private videos. The scandal was particularly sensational since he was married to Lee Min Jung and remains so today.
In the first trial, the court sentenced the two women to prison terms, but their sentences were suspended in the appeals court. After the incident, Lee Byung Hun expressed his remorse. Now, years later, he resumed his successful career, appearing in films like The Fortress, Keys to the Heart and The Man Standing Next, as well as in popular dramas such as Squid Game and Mr. Sunshine.
Park Min Young
In September 2022, Park Min Young found herself at the center of controversy after news broke about her relationship with a wealthy individual. Just two days after the initial reports, her agency confirmed that they had already broken up when it emerged that her ex-boyfriend was Kang Jong Hyun, a figure suspected to be the real owner of the cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb. This connection impacted Park Min Young’s public image significantly, especially when Kang was later arrested and charged with embezzlement and misappropriation of funds. Though currently out on bail, Kang Jong Hyun faces a potential 1.5-year prison sentence for breach of trust and bribery related to cryptocurrency listings.
Park Min Young addressed the controversy head-on without halting her acting projects. At the press conference for her drama Marry My Husband, she expressed her deep regret. “Even though it was a brief time, I’ve spent every day regretting it,” she shared. She continued, “I want to take full responsibility and apologize for causing concern. I am truly sorry to the fans who love me.”
Luckily, public sentiment started to shift in her favor following the drama’s release. Her desperate passion for her character resonated deeply with viewers, touching their hearts and leading to renewed support.
Nam Joo Hyuk
Nam Joo Hyuk faced serious allegations of school bullying in 2020. A former classmate claimed to have been bullied by him for six years. The accuser alleged that Nam Joo Hyuk and his friends repeatedly assaulted and verbally abused him and he is still receiving psychiatric treatment as a result.
Nam Joo Hyuk’s agency strongly refuted the allegations, stating that they were groundless and that they would hold those responsible for damaging the actor’s reputation accountable. Subsequently, additional allegations of school violence surfaced, and the situation escalated with counter-arguments from former classmates who defended Nam Joo Hyuk. Nam Joo Hyuk enlisted in the military in March of the previous year and is currently serving in the Army Military Police Corps.
Ultimately, the former classmate who made the allegations of school violence was fined 7 million won for defamation, but they have appealed the ruling.
Monsta X’s Shownu
On October 31st, 2019—the same day Monsta X’s Wonho officially left the group—rumors emerged that fellow member Shownu had been involved with a married woman. The issue surfaced when the husband of the woman in question sent a direct message on Instagram to the girlfriend of the person who had initially revealed details about Wonho’s past.
In response, Shownu’s agency released a statement to clarify the situation. They explained, “Shownu had been in contact with this woman before she got married, but she didn’t inform him of her marital status while they were seeing each other. Once he learned about her marriage from her husband, Shownu immediately cut off contact.”
Stray Kids’ Hyunjin
On February 22nd, 2021, a netizen claiming to be a former classmate of Hyunjin posted on Nate Pann, alleging that they had been verbally abused by him when they were both in their second year at Seongnae Middle School. In response, JYP Entertainment released an official statement that warned of legal action against the spread of false information. A few days later, they issued a second statement with a handwritten apology from Hyunjin.
In his apology, Hyunjin expressed deep regret for his immature behavior during middle school. The individual who made the claims also stated that they had resolved the misunderstanding with Hyunjin and accepted his apology. A teacher from Hyunjin’s former school also came forward to acknowledge the atmosphere in the class at the time but stated that the accusations had been exaggerated.
On February 27th, JYP announced that Hyunjin would be taking a hiatus to reflect on his actions. He resumed his musical activities four months after the incident by appearing in the digital single Mixtape: OH. Hyunjin mentioned that focused on volunteer work and charitable donations during his break.
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