K-Pop Bullying Scandals: When Accusations Rock Idols’ Worlds
The K-Pop industry, often seen as a realm of polished perfection and aspirational dreams, has a dark underbelly that occasionally surfaces: “school bullying” scandals. These accusations, often unearthed years after an idol’s debut, can shatter careers, divide fandoms, and force agencies into damage control. While some idols manage to weather the storm, others find their journey abruptly ended. This article delves into four of the most high-profile cases involving Soojin ((G)I-DLE), Garam (LE SSERAFIM), Lia (ITZY), and Hyunjin (Stray Kids), comparing how company responses, public sentiment, and fan loyalty ultimately decided their fate.
The Anatomy of a K-Pop Scandal: Accusations and Reactions
The “school bullying” phenomenon gained significant traction in South Korea’s entertainment scene, dubbed “hakpok” (학폭) allegations. These often involve former classmates coming forward with testimonies, screenshots, and sometimes even photos, accusing idols of various acts, from verbal abuse to physical violence, extortion, or social ostracism.
Soojin ((G)I-DLE): The Unyielding Wave
In early 2021, Soojin, a popular member of Cube Entertainment’s (G)I-DLE, faced accusations from multiple alleged victims and their acquaintances, including actress Seo Shin-ae. The claims painted a picture of bullying, theft, and aggressive behavior during her middle school years.
Cube Entertainment initially adopted a firm stance, denying the allegations and threatening legal action. They claimed the accusations were false and malicious. Soojin herself released a statement denying most of the specific claims, admitting only to a history of being a “rebellious student” and dressing in a way that might have seemed intimidating but refuting any acts of violence.
However, the sheer volume of accusations, coupled with Seo Shin-ae’s public confirmation of being bullied by Soojin, made it difficult for Cube to control the narrative. The public backlash was immense, impacting (G)I-DLE’s activities. Soojin went on hiatus, and despite Cube’s continued legal battles and denials, the pressure mounted. Ultimately, in August 2021, Cube Entertainment announced Soojin’s departure from (G)I-DLE, and in March 2022, terminated her contract. Soojin officially left the K-Pop industry.
Garam (LE SSERAFIM): HYBE’s Failed Shield
Kim Garam’s debut with HYBE/Source Music’s highly anticipated girl group LE SSERAFIM in May 2022 was almost immediately overshadowed by a barrage of school bullying accusations. Photos and screenshots alleging her involvement in various bullying incidents, including underage drinking and smoking, circulated widely online.
HYBE Corporation, one of the biggest names in K-Pop, initially came out strong, unequivocally denying all claims and announcing legal action against those spreading “false information.” They even went as far as presenting documents from a school committee indicating Garam herself had been a victim of bullying, not a perpetrator, at one point.
This strong defensive strategy backfired spectacularly. The public perceived HYBE’s denial as tone-deaf and dismissive of victims. More alleged evidence and testimonies continued to surface, creating a media frenzy. Despite HYBE’s efforts, the controversy overshadowed LE SSERAFIM’s debut, leading Garam to go on hiatus shortly after their debut. Eventually, in July 2022, less than three months after her debut, HYBE announced the termination of Garam’s contract, removing her from LE SSERAFIM. The public’s perception of “victim blaming” and HYBE’s perceived arrogance in handling the situation contributed significantly to her removal.
Lia (ITZY): Legal Victory and Resilience
Lia of JYP Entertainment’s ITZY faced bullying accusations in early 2021, around the same time as Soojin and Hyunjin. An anonymous accuser claimed Lia had borrowed money and never returned it, and had verbally abused classmates during her school days.
JYP Entertainment’s response was swift and firm. They filed a criminal complaint for defamation against the accuser. Unlike Cube or HYBE, JYP’s strategy focused on robust legal action and standing by their artist without wavering. Lia continued her activities with ITZY, albeit under a cloud of controversy.
The legal process was lengthy, but in June 2021, the police cleared Lia of the bullying charges, stating there was insufficient evidence to prove the accuser’s claims were false. The accuser was found innocent of defamation due to “lack of intent to slander” and that the post was based on their experience, but the bullying allegations themselves were deemed unproven. While the legal outcome didn’t fully exonerate Lia in the court of public opinion for everyone, it certainly provided JYP with a strong basis to protect her. Lia ultimately survived the scandal, continuing her career with ITZY, demonstrating the power of a resolute agency and successful legal defense.
Hyunjin (Stray Kids): Apology and Hiatus
Stray Kids’ Hyunjin, also under JYP Entertainment, was hit with accusations of school bullying in February 2021, again, during the same period as Soojin and Lia. Multiple alleged victims accused him of verbal abuse, emotional distress, and ostracization during his middle school days.
JYP Entertainment initially took a more cautious approach compared to their stance on Lia’s case. They investigated the claims, meeting with alleged victims and school officials. Following their investigation, JYP released a statement confirming that some of the accusations were true, expressing remorse for the pain Hyunjin had caused. Hyunjin himself issued a heartfelt apology, acknowledging his past mistakes and expressing deep regret.
After the apology, Hyunjin went on an indefinite hiatus from all group activities. This period lasted for about four months. During this time, JYP engaged in efforts to mediate and reconcile with the alleged victims. While not fully revealed, it’s understood some form of apology and perhaps compensation or resolution was achieved privately. In June 2021, JYP announced Hyunjin’s return to Stray Kids, highlighting his time of reflection and sincere apologies. His ability to return was largely due to his and JYP’s acknowledgment of the harm, a sincere apology, and a period of genuine hiatus and reflection that allowed public sentiment to cool.
Who Sank, Who Survived: Decisive Factors
The contrasting outcomes for these four idols highlight critical factors in navigating K-Pop bullying scandals:
- Company Strategy and Response:
- Denial (Soojin, Garam): Cube and HYBE’s initial aggressive denials, especially when faced with mounting evidence and public disbelief, backfired catastrophically. The public often perceives outright denial in the face of widespread claims as gaslighting or a lack of accountability.
- Legal Action (Lia): JYP’s swift and successful legal defense for Lia, proving insufficient evidence for the bullying claims, was instrumental in protecting her career.
- Acknowledgment & Apology (Hyunjin): JYP’s acknowledgment of Hyunjin’s past misdeeds, followed by a sincere apology and a period of hiatus, allowed for reconciliation and eventually, his return. This approach humanized the situation and allowed for forgiveness.
- Nature and Volume of Evidence:
- Overwhelming Claims (Soojin, Garam): The sheer number of accusers and the nature of their testimonies for Soojin and Garam, often accompanied by photos or screenshots, created an insurmountable wave of public opinion.
- Ambiguous Evidence (Lia): For Lia, the evidence wasn’t strong enough to stand up to legal scrutiny.
- Acknowledged Misconduct (Hyunjin): While there were claims against Hyunjin, JYP’s investigation confirmed some truth, which they addressed directly, rather than trying to deny everything.
- Public and Fan Reaction:
- Strong Backlash (Soojin, Garam): Public sentiment quickly turned against Soojin and Garam, with many calling for their removal. Fandoms themselves were often divided, weakening the support base.
- Divisive but Surviving (Lia, Hyunjin): While Lia and Hyunjin faced criticism, their agencies’ responses and their personal apologies helped mitigate the long-term damage, allowing their core fandoms to rally support for their return. The willingness of the public to accept apologies after a period of reflection was crucial for Hyunjin.
The Lingering Impact and Lessons Learned
These scandals have left an indelible mark on the K-Pop industry. They underscore the immense power of public opinion in South Korea, where issues of personal character and morality are highly scrutinized, especially for public figures.
For agencies, the lesson is clear: absolute denial is a risky strategy, particularly when accusations are widespread and convincing. Acknowledging past mistakes, offering sincere apologies, and taking accountability, perhaps with a period of reflection, can be a path to rehabilitation, as seen with Hyunjin. Legal action, when viable and successful, can also be a powerful shield, as in Lia’s case.
For idols, these incidents serve as a harsh reminder that their past can always catch up to them, regardless of their current fame. For fans, it highlights the complex and often painful process of reconciling an idol’s current persona with alleged past actions. The K-Pop landscape continues to evolve, demanding not just talent and charisma, but also a pristine image and accountability for one’s history. The line between being “cancelled” and finding redemption is thin, often swayed by the court of public opinion and the strategic choices of powerful entertainment companies.
original article by kpop.you
