Attention, all Blinks! Blackpink is coming to our area on 29 and 30 November for a concert at the Singapore National Stadium. Other stops of the Asia leg of their world tour include Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, and Hong Kong. The group last performed here in 2023 as part of their “Born Pink” world tour, leaving fans buzzing in excitement for their upcoming concert after a 2-year wait.

Source: YG Entertainment

Blackpink debuted on 8 August 2016 with the single album, Square One, consisting of tracks “Boombayah” and “Whistle”. The songs clinched the first and second places on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart and won them their first music show win on Inkigayo just 14 days after their debut.

Other achievements include placing in the Guinness World Record for the most-streamed female group on Spotify and selling over 20 million records. Blackpink has also been awarded the Best Female Group at the Mnet Asian Music Awards and Best Album at the Golden Disc Awards. Outside of Korea, the group has performed at Coachella on multiple occasions, proving their popularity internationally.

Source: Live Nation

Tickets to Blackpink’s “Deadline” world tour in Singapore will be made available in different phases. The first presale will take place on 10 June for BLINK Membership holders via Weverse. Meanwhile, the second presale will commence on 11 June, and is open Visa cardholders. The third presale will take place on 12 June for Changi Rewards members. Lastly, the general sale will commence on 13 June via Ticketmaster.

Blackpink in Singapore this November 2025

Blackpink is back with another world tour! Catch them on 29 and 30 November at the Singapore National Stadium for 2 nights of show-stopping performances.

Also read:

6 Facts To Know About “Wicked: For Good”, The New “Wicked” Sequel Coming To Theatres

Cover Image: Source, Source

The post Blackpink Is Back In Your Area With 2 Concerts In Singapore This November appeared first on ZULA.sg.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by PLUS EIGHTY TWO (@plus82_official_page)

The hot new Korean music festival Playground will be coming your way at Pasir Panjang Power Station on May 3. Brace yourself for electrifying performances by K-pop acts, engage in Squid Game-inspired games, and enjoy mouth-watering Korean street food!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by PLUS EIGHTY TWO (@plus82_official_page)

Playground is a new festival concept by +82, a Singapore-based company that specialises in curating experiences centred around Korean entertainment and lifestyle. The one-day-only event takes place on 3 May at 2pm and runs late into the night, promising non-stop, immersive entertainment for partygoers.

Source

Beloved K-pop artists Joohoney and I.M of MONSTA X, Jessi, Gray, Loco, YUNGIN, and Lil Cherry & Goldbuuda will be taking over the stage to deliver unforgettable performances. Hip-hop dance crew Holybang, winner of the competition Street Woman Fighter, will also be putting on a dance piece during the festival.

Source

To make things even more exciting, there will be a “random play dance” segment where participants can join the dance floor if they know the steps to a spontaneously played K-pop song. Get ready to battle it out with your knowledge of popular dance moves!

Source

Other activities include Squid Game-style survival challenges where you can engage in games inspired by the hit Netflix series. The event also hosts vendors that cater signature Korean street food to keep your tummy full while you enjoy the festival.

General sales commence on 14 March, 12am, with VIP ticketholders entitled to a meet-and-greet session with an artiste, as well as 2 drink coupons.

Also read:

8 Facts About “Squid Game” Season 2 That Make The Show Even Better

Playground K-pop festival in May

In a press statement, the founder, Mr Terry Hwayong Lee, said: “Playground is designed to be more than just an event. It’s an experience that allows fans to live and breathe K-culture in a way they never have before.”

Get ready for a day of spectacular performances, thrilling interactive activities, and delicious food! Grab your friends and book tickets to the Korean music festival now before it’s too late.

Address: Pasir Panjang Power Station, 27 Pasir Panjang Road
Event date: 3 May 2025
Event hours: 2pm to late night
Ticket Prices: $218 to $358
Website | Instagram

Also read:

Gen Z’s New Favourite Pastime? Shopping On Telegram Channels

Cover Image: Source, Source

The post Playground: K-Pop Music Festival Comes To SG In May, Catch Jessi, Gray, & MONSTA X’s Joohoney & I.M Live appeared first on ZULA.sg.

Known for their hit songs “Antifragile” and “Perfect Night”, the K-pop girl group Le Sserafim will perform in Singapore for their first-ever local concert on 19 August. Other stops include South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Thailand. The group also announced a North American leg of the tour in September this year.

Source

Formed by Source Music, a sublabel of Hybe, Le Sserafim debuted on May 2, 2022, with the extended play Fearless. The group embodies a confident and unapologetic style, comprising members Sakura, Chaewon, Yunjin, Kazuha, and Eunchae. Even their name is an anagram of the phrase, “I’m Fearless”. 

Le Sserafim has achieved significant milestones in their short, 3-year career. Some of their accomplishments include performing at Coachella in 2024 and being named the Best Group and Most Popular Artist at the 2025 Golden Disk Awards.

Source

On 28 February, Le Sserafim announced that they are embarking on their first world tour. Named after their latest three mini albums, their “Easy Crazy Hot” tour will kick off in South Korea on 19 April. Fortunately for Singaporean Fearnots—the name of Le Sserafim’s fans— our city made it on the list despite not being part of their previous tour, “Flame Rises”. 

Also read:

29 Concerts To Look Forward To In 2025—From Seventeen To Glass Animals

However, apart from the concert date in August, details such as the concert venue and ticket prices have yet to be announced.

The group will be dropping their fifth mini album, ‘HOT’, on 14 March with a title track of the same name. Fans can look forward to the new tracks being performed at the concert.

Le Sserafim to perform live in Singapore in August

Brace yourself for Le Sserafim’s upcoming world tour in Singapore on 19 August. This will mark the group’s first concert in the country. Make sure to keep on your toes for the release of upcoming details, as tickets are sure to go fast!

Also read:

Gen Z’s New Favourite Pastime? Shopping On Telegram Channels

Cover Image: Source, Source

The post Le Sserafim To Stage First Singapore Concert In August appeared first on ZULA.sg.

Ahgases, your wait is finally over. GOT7 is making waves with their much-anticipated reunion happening in January 2025. After a 3-year pause, the iconic K-pop band is back in action, with Korean media OSEN confirming the group’s preparations for this grand return.

According to OSEN, the members are recording on a new album, which will debut at the end of January next year. Fans can expect to see teasers from the group’s members about their comeback from December onwards. 

For those unaware, GOT7 is a prominent South Korean boy band that debuted in January 2014 under JYP Entertainment. The group consists of 7 members: JB, Mark Tuan, Jackson Wang, Jinyoung, Youngjae, BamBam, and Yugyeom. Unlike most K-pop groups, where members all hail from South Korea, GOT7’s members are international, with some born in  Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United States. Some of their most popular tracks include “Girls Girls Girls,” “Stop Stop It,” “A,” and “Just Right”.

The band ended their contract with JYP Entertainment in 2021, with individual members moving to different agencies, each pursuing their solo careers. Members Jay B and Jinyoung also had to go through mandatory military service from 2022. While they promised to stay together as a band despite the agency change, this is the first that we’ve heard of an official GOT7 comeback.

Got7 are making a comeback with a new album

2024 seems to be the year for big-name K-pop acts reuniting, from 2NE1’s tour to Big Bang’s recent performance at the MAMA Awards. GOT7 is next in line, but here’s hoping we see more dormant K-pop acts we love coming back into the limelight in 2025.

Also read:

Get Ready Blackjacks, 2NE1 Will Perform In Singapore This December

All images courtesy of  GOT7.

The post GOT7 Announce Reunion In January 2025 With A New Album appeared first on ZULA.sg.

Our city has played host to several iconic concert tours this year, from Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour to the upcoming sold-out Olivia Rodrigo Guts show. If you think your bank balance can take a break before the end of the year, well, here’s news: the celebrated K-pop girl group, 2NE1, will be performing in Singapore come 21 December 2024.

2NE1 Singapore concert venue ticket prices

We don’t have information about ticket sale dates, venue and ticket prices yet, so watch this space. What we do know is that the concert is organised by Live Nation, so deets will most likely come from their newsletter or their socials.

A much-awaited reunion

You don’t have to be a K-pop fan to understand how big this is. Formed by YG Entertainment in 2009, 2NE1 comprised of four members: Bom, Dara, CL, and Minzy. They were one of the pioneering girl groups that cemented K-pop’s impact beyond South Korea’s borders, shaking the music scene up with chart-topping hits like “I Am The Best”, “Ugly”, and “I Don’t Care”. This dominance continued globally until the group went on hiatus in 2016.

Earlier this year, though, diehard Blackjacks were rewarded with the announcement that 2NE1 is back and going on tour this year, in honour of their 15th anniversary. Dubbed the Welcome Back Tour, the group will play several shows in Asia. The tour starts off in Seoul and will make its way to cities like Hong Kong, Manila, and Jakarta too.

Watch 2NE1 live in Singapore this December 2024

The announcement of this tour is the cherry on top of all the teasers we’ve gotten for 2NE1’s reunion. In 2022, the group reunited for a Coachella performance, sparking rumours that the quartet are getting back together. Then, in the recent K-music festival, Waterbomb Singapore, fans were treated to a performance by CL and Dara, where the duo teased a return to Singapore.

Patience pays off, Blackjacks.

Also read:

Charlie Puth Is Performing In Singapore This December, Ticket Pre-Sales From 27 August

All images courtesy of YG Entertainment and Amy Harris/Associated Press.

The post Get Ready Blackjacks, 2NE1 Will Perform In Singapore This December appeared first on ZULA.sg.

Earlier this year, K-pop idol group SHINee performed at Singapore Indoor Stadium. The second generation group treated fans to an unforgettable night of their nostalgic hits, such as “Lucifer” and “Dream Girl”. However, leader Onew was unable to attend the concert, as he was on hiatus due to health concerns. 

For Singaporean Shawols who were disappointed that Onew was unable to visit our Little Red Dot, you’re now in for a piece of exciting news. Onew will soon be attending Singapore’s Star Awards on 21 April 2024, held at The Theatre at Mediacorp.

The event

Source

Onew’s appearance at Star Awards 2024 marks his first public appearance since 9 June 2023 — nearly 10 months since SHINee returned with their eighth album, “Hard”. Fans have since been worried about the idol, despite reassurances that he’ll return to them in good health soon. 

It seems like Onew is finally back and looking just as dashing as ever. In a video by Mediacorp, Onew cheerfully greeted Singporean fans and confirmed his appearance at Star Awards 2024. 

“I’m really delighted, yet nervous at the thought of meeting everyone,” the idol added.

Source

According to Mediacorp’s website, the Star Awards 2024 will first begin with a Walk of Fame from 5pm to 6.30pm, followed by the Award Ceremony from 7pm to 10pm. 

The show will be broadcasted live on Channel 8, Channel U, mewatch and Mediacorp Entertainment’s YouTube channel on 21 April 2024, so Shawols can tune in to catch a glimpse of Onew’s attendance on screen. 

Interested fans can also check out the Backstage Live from 3.30pm to 10.30pm, which will be exclusively available as an online livestream on Mediacorp’s website. 

Source

ICYMI, Onew recently left his agency, SM Entertainment, after being with the company for a whopping 18 years. He has since signed with another agency, Griffin Entertainment, and will remain as SHINee’s leader. 

With the Star Awards 2024 marking Onew’s return to the public eye, we’re keeping our fingers crossed that he’ll be treating fans to new music soon.

SHINEee’s Onew Will Be Attending Star Awards 2024 Alongside Local Actors

Growing up, Star Awards have been a staple for Singaporean kids who loved watching Mediacorp dramas. It’s safe to say that all of us can hum the award show’s iconic theme song by heart, even after all these years. 

While it has always been exciting to watch our favourite local actors and actresses receive recognition for their hard work, it’s also a pleasant surprise to see that the award show has international reach too. 

Apart from Onew’s appearance, the upcoming award show will also feature Taiwanese singer Chao Chuan and actor Chen Bolin. Head over to Mediacorp’s website for more information. 

Cover: Source, source

Also read:

10 Ex-Mediacorp Actors & Actresses We Grew Up Watching And Where They Are Now

The post SHINee’s Onew To Attend Singapore Star Awards On 21 April 2024, First Public Appearance Since His Hiatus appeared first on ZULA.sg.

You may have noticed that in recent years, numerous Korean entertainment companies have held auditions in Singapore, eagerly searching for the next big star. Most notably, the agency behind the successful K-pop girl group Fifty Fifty recently extended its reach to our Little Red Dot.

Not only did three Singaporeans make it to the finals in Bangkok, but one of them also managed to secure a coveted K-pop trainee contract. Meet Joye Cai, the 16-year-old Singaporean who is now officially a K-pop trainee. 

1. She studies at SJI International 

Source

Currently enrolled at SJI International, Joye is a Secondary 4 student who is part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. She mentioned in interviews with various media outlets that she spends her after-school hours practising dance, averaging about 4 hours a day. 

Thanks to her hard work and dedication to becoming a K-pop idol, she is now a step closer to making her dream come true. 

2. Auditioned to be part of Fifty Fifty

Joye on the right during the finals of the Fifty Fifty audition
Source

For the unacquainted, Fifty Fifty is a K-pop girl group who gained international fame thanks to their hit song ‘Cupid’ ‒ you’ve probably heard it on the radio or when scrolling through TikTok. However, due to contract disputes, the four-member girl group now only has one member remaining, and their agency is seeking new faces to debut in the next generation of Fifty Fifty.  

When it was announced that Fifty Fifty’s agency would be holding an audition in Singapore, Joye didn’t miss the opportunity to pursue her dream as a K-pop idol. She competed against 120 Singaporeans, and emerged as one of the three finalists who later participated in the grand finals in Bangkok in early March 2024. 

Fun fact: Joye was the youngest Singaporean to compete in the audition. 

3. Received a trainee contract from Evergreen Group

Source

Although Joye didn’t secure a spot in Fifty Fifty, she received a K-pop trainee contract from Evergreen Group, one of Attrakt’s investors. This means she will have the chance to undergo singing, dancing, and rapping training with the hopes of debuting as a K-pop idol in South Korea. 

4. Set to debut in a K-pop group in two years’ time

Source

All K-pop idols undergo training before making their debut, so it is not surprising that Joye will be doing the same. While it remains uncertain when Joye will make her debut, Evergreen Group plans to debut her in a girl group within two years. 

Fingers crossed that we will hear good news from Joye soon. 

5. Will be relocating to Seoul in June 2024

Source

With a tight timeline on hand, things are moving fast for Joye ‒ it was reported that she will be relocating to South Korea in June 2024. This means she has only a few months left in Singapore to prepare for her life-changing moment and temporarily bid farewell to her loved ones. 

6. Has the support from her family to pursue her dream

Source

For most people, it isn’t easy to have their parents support their dream of becoming a K-pop idol, but Joye is fortunate to have hers fully behind her. 

While her mother was initially hesitant about letting her leave for South Korea, she mentioned in an interview that she’d rather have Joye take the risk of becoming a K-pop trainee than hold her back from pursuing a future she might enjoy more. 

7. Her mother is a socialite

Source

While all eyes are on Joye for receiving a K-pop trainee contract, her mother Milona Xia has also received attention from the public as a socialite. The 37-year-old is a patron of a law foundation, and has appeared on ICON Singapore, where she discussed her relationship with luxury jewellery brand Bvlgari. 

Also read: 

20 Facts About Singapore-Based Singer Shye, Like Being An Okto Child Star & Loving K-Pop

8. She accepted the trainee contract after attending Taylor Swift concert 

Source

Joye was among the many Singaporeans who attended the recent Taylor Swift concerts, and it was during that moment that she decided to accept the K-pop trainee contract. Inspired by the impressive performances by the pop singer, Joye made a mental note to herself that she’d be on stage in five years. 

Previously, she had been worried about receiving her family’s support in pursuing her dream and the uncertainty of debuting as a K-pop idol. 

9. Her mother wishes her to continue her studies at Hanlim Arts High School 

Source

Despite supporting Joye’s pursuit of her dream to become a K-pop idol in South Korea, Joye’s mother also wishes for her to continue her studies. She hopes that Joye will be able to enter the prestigious art school in South Korea, Hanlim Arts High School, which boasts famous K-pop idol alumni like Cha Eun Woo and New Jeans’ Minji. 

10. She has a birthmark on her face 

Source, source

Everyone is born differently ‒ some of us have birthmarks while others have moles on different parts of their body. Joye shared on her Instagram that she actually has a birthmark on her left cheek. 

Since these features make us unique individuals, it is not surprising that Joye has also wholeheartedly embraced her birthmark . 

11. Is close to Rurusama 

Source

Surprisingly, Joye is close to Singaporean cosplayer Rurusama, and the two have been noticed for their adorable relationship. Joye shared photos of them together on her Instagram story, and even wrote a caption in Chinese that Rurusama is her “wifey”.  

While we are unsure how the two met, fans of both are surely hoping for a potential collaboration in the future. 

12. She is a serial concertgoer

Source

As a K-pop fan herself, Joye has attended many concerts, including those of K-pop groups IVE and ENHYPEN. She also enjoys other genres of music such as Mandopop and Pop, and has even managed to secure a front-row ticket for one of the concerts.

13. She fractured her finger before 

Source

Injuries can happen to anyone from time to time, and it seems that Joye once fractured her finger. Although she didn’t share how she sustained the injury, it must have been a painful and scary experience.

14. Her favourite colour is pink 

Source

Pink is Joye’s favourite colour, and she shared this fun fact with her Instagram followers during a Q&A session. Among her many pink items, we spotted a matching pink Hermes bag and ring with her mother. 

15. MBTI is INTP

Source

MBTI is one of the most popular personality quizzes, and Joye shared during a Q&A session on her Instagram that hers is INTP. 

According to 16Personalities, INTPs “enjoy taking an unconventional approach to many aspects of life.” Perhaps this might just explain why Joye is committed to carving her own path as a K-pop idol. 

These Facts About Joye Cai Show That She Is A Hardworking Teenager Who Never Backs Down

Dreams are meant to be pursued, and it is inspiring to see that Joye is working hard and going the extra mile to become a K-pop idol. Hopefully, with this new opportunity as a K-pop trainee, she will get to embark on a life-changing journey and make Singapore proud. Wishing her all the best in South Korea!

Cover: Source, source, source

Also read:

20 Facts About Han So Hee, The Actress Who’s Caught Up In A Love Triangle Between Ryu Jun Yeol & Hyeri

The post 15 Facts About Joye Cai, The 16-Year-Old Singaporean Who Is Now A K-Pop Trainee appeared first on ZULA.sg.

If you’ve been a fan of BTS aka an ARMY, for a long time, you’ll know what I mean when I say the boys never give us a break. After treating us to a LEGO Dynamite pop-up along Orchard Road earlier this June, HYBE Insight is bringing the BTS x James Jean: Seven Phases exhibition to Science Centre Singapore. 

Read on to find out more about the highly-anticipated exhibition, open from now till 25 February 2024.

The exhibition

Held initially in Seoul, the BTS x James Jean: Seven Phases exhibition made stops in Frankfurt and Manilla before finally landing in Singapore this December. What’s so special about this exhibition, besides the fact that it features K-pop boy band BTS, is its collaboration with Taiwanese-American artist, James Jean. 

For the unacquainted, James Jean is a visual artist who gained popularity thanks to his intricate style of artwork and creative pieces. One of his notable works is no doubt his participation in the award-winning movie Everything Everywhere All At Once, which starred Michelle Yeoh. 

Dubbed as a visual journey for ARMYs to embark on, the exhibition offers fans a chance to enter the world of BTS reimagined by James Jean. You can explore expressive art pieces and intricate paintings, as well as learn about the exhibition’s connection with BTS’ “Yet To Come” album. 

Each BTS member is represented by a unique flower living in a colourful, fantasy world. While you treat your eyes to such innovative creations, you can also learn more about what goes on behind the scenes through a large monitor featuring James Jean.  

Image courtesy of the writer, source

Fun fact: BTS’ RM visited the exhibition in Seoul and even took a photo with one of the art pieces. So if you’d like to snap matching couple photos with your fave oppa, now’s your chance.

Apart from the visionary pieces by James Jean, be sure not to miss the installation of the actual microphones that BTS used in their stage performances. 

Since the members have all enlisted in the military, these serve as a reminder to ARMYs that they’ll return to the stage soon with their amazing performances.

You’ll also have the opportunity to get up close with their stage outfits, and perhaps even notice new details you never knew existed.

Walking further into the exhibition, you’ll notice a large display of the countless awards that BTS has won over the years, including the MTV and Billboard Hot 100 Awards. 

Fans can also channel their inner idol and take fun shots with the microphone stands available, complete with a wall of fan letters from ARMYs to BTS in the background.

Of course, no K-pop exhibition is complete without exclusive merchandise. Before you head home with just a camera album full of pictures, don’t forget to get your hands on the postcards, mugs and stickers as a memento of this experience.

Don’t Miss Out On The BTS x James Jean: Seven Phases Exhibition

With the upcoming holiday season, you can plan your schedule in advance to not miss the BTS x James Jean: Seven Phases Exhibition. Tickets are available at $50 each, and can now be purchased on Sistic and Qoo10. Each ticket also includes admission to Science Centre Singapore, so you can spend a full day exploring the different exhibitions.

BTS x James Jean: Seven Phases Exhibition
Address: 15 Science Centre Road, Singapore 609081
Duration: 16 December 2023 to 25 February 2024
Opening hours: 10am to 8.50pm daily
Website

All images courtesy of the writer unless otherwise stated.
This post was first published by Tan Jou Teng on 9 November 2023 and last updated by Nicole Yong on 20 December 2023.

Also read: 

BTS Pop-Up: Space Of BTS Is Returning To Singapore With Exclusive Merch & Photo Ops

The post There Is A BTS-Themed Exhibition In Singapore For ARMYs To End 2023 On A High Note appeared first on ZULA.sg.

Being an ARMY myself, my schedule for the year-end is already packed. Besides the upcoming BTS x James Jean exhibition that is happening in December, the BTS Pop-Up: Space Of BTS is also returning to Singapore for a second time from 25 November 2023 to 21 January 2024 at Orchard Cineleisure. Read on to find out what’s new about the BTS pop-up.  

The pop-up

Compared to the pop-up which first made its debut at Funan Mall in 2021, the upcoming one features Singapore-exclusive merchandise, and dedicated space for ARMYs to snap Instagram-worthy photos. 

BTS Pop-Up: Space Of BTS in Sydney
Source

Through photos of the pop-up taken in Sydney, Singapore ARMYs can expect similarities, such as the purple interior and a plethora of lifestyle products based on BTS songs, In The Soop, TinyTAN, BTS x McDonald’s collection, and Dalmajung. For instance, the SOWOOZOO collection features previously sold-out merchandise like apparel and stationery. 

Source

Plus, you can also score highly-sought after concert merchandise from past concerts by BTS, such as “Yet to Come”, the “Permission to Dance” US Tour, “Permission to Dance; On Stage – Seoul”, and Suga’s “D-Day”.

Source

If that’s not impressive enough, wait till you learn that you can also purchase goods from the Weverse Shop IRL. This means you won’t have to pay for shipping, and you can bring them home right after checking out at the cashier. 

As a cherry on top, ARMYs can also get their hands on rare merchandise designed by BTS themselves from the Artist-Made Collection.

Source

While we’re unsure if the TinyTAN statues will be there, rest assured that you can look forward to photo opportunities with the 2023 BTS FESTA family portrait and the LED-lit BTS logo. 

Pro tip: Wear shades of purple to express your love for the boys. 

Make Time To Visit The BTS Pop-Up: Space Of BTS From 25 November 2023 To 21 January 2024

Running for two months, the BTS Pop-Up: Space Of BTS at Orchard Cineleisure is a perfect get-together for ARMYs in Singapore. Hopefully, in the future, ARMYs can look forward to even more BTS-themed exhibitions and pop-ups in our Little Red Dot. 

Cover: Source

Also read: 

There Is A BTS-Themed Exhibition Coming To SG For ARMYs To End 2023 On A High Note

The post BTS Pop-Up: Space Of BTS Is Returning To Singapore With Exclusive Merch & Photo Ops appeared first on ZULA.sg.

When I say that I’ve been a long-time K-pop fan, I mean it. I saw the debut of Wonder Girls, witnessed Super Junior’s “Sorry Sorry” go global, and even became a fan of Coed School, one of the first few co-ed K-pop groups. With that being said, I was also part of the kaypoh netizens who wanted to know all the details whenever an ugly scandal broke out. And trust me, there were so many. 

Below are some of the biggest K-pop scandals that have shocked fans over the years.  

1. IU & Super Junior’s Eun Hyuk dating rumours

Source, source

I was a baby ELF aka Super Junior’s fandom, when I saw the news that IU uploaded and almost immediately deleted a photo of herself and Super Junior’s Eunhyuk in 2012. While most people might think that there was nothing wrong with sharing a photo of your colleague, the sus part was that both of them were lying down on bed in their pyjamas. 

Well, surprise or not, IU received most of the backlash, and extreme fans even burned her CDs, despite IU’s explanation that Eunhyuk was there to visit her since she was sick. Eventually, the dating rumours surrounding the two artistes subsided. 

2. T-ARA’s career almost “ruined” by former member

Source

Among famous K-pop girl groups such as Girls’ Generation and KARA, T-ARA was an iconic group whose career peaked with catchy tunes like “Bo Peep Bo Peep” and “Roly Poly”. Riding on the growing popularity of the group, their agency introduced a new member into the group Hwa Young, who later departed after two years. 

Fans were naturally confused, and soon enough, people began to accuse the original members of T-ARA with alleged “evidence” of them bullying Hwa Young. Their popularity went downhill, and it was as if the entire K-pop community had started a witch hunt against them. Yes, it was that bad. 

However, a former staff member who had worked with T-ARA stepped up and defended the girls, stating that none of the bullying accusations were true. It turned out there were concrete evidence that Hwa Young was the problematic member who lied about being sick, and had caused troubles within the group. 

With the truth out in the open, fans who had turned their back on T-ARA were apologetic, and many began to realise how manipulative Hwa Young had been.

3. AOA’s bullying incident

AOA’s Jimin
Source

Another bullying scandal that shook the K-pop community involved K-pop girl group AOA in 2019. Considering how AOA was also at the peak of their career when the controversy broke out, netizens were quick to point fingers. 

After AOA’s Mina revealed that she had tried to take her own life because of bullying by her leader Jimin, many people began to side with Mina. However, through a series of back-and-forth accusations between Mina and Jimin, Korean media Dispatch later revealed that Mina had actually been the one who made up the stories, and Jimin was the victim behind the whole saga. 

4. BIGBANG’s G-Dragon caught smoking weed 

Source

Whether you’re a casual or hardcore K-pop fan, you’ll know who BIGBANG’s G-Dragon is. But, not everyone knows that he was caught smoking weed back in 2011. 

Although the idol claimed that he unknowingly smoked weed, mistaking it for a normal cigarette, it didn’t change the fact that he had consumed the drug. He expressed deep regret for his actions, and eventually addressed the issue publicly during a variety show appearance, where he shared further details about the incident. 

Most recently in October 2023, G-Dragon became embroiled in another drug scandal where he was booked by the police on suspicion of drug use. As investigations are still ongoing, there has yet to be a conclusive statement. 

5. BIGBANG’s Daesung car accident 

Source

In May 2011, BIGBANG’s Daesung found himself making headlines for the wrong reason ‒ he accidentally ran over a motorist, and later crashed into a taxi. While it was reported that the victim was already injured and lying on the road from a previous accident, authorities found it difficult to determine if Daesung’s accident had contributed to the motorist’s death. 

However, investigations did show that Daesung had hit the victim due to negligent driving, but he was acquitted of causing the motorist’s death. Because of this incident, Daesung went on a hiatus before making a return to the K-pop industry in March 2012 with the rest of the BIGBANG members.  

6. JYJ’s Park Yoo Chun alleged rape accusations & drug usage

Source

Well, if you thought JYJ’s Park Yoo Chun’s rape allegations in 2016 and 2017 were the end of his controversies, he became embroiled in another one that involved drugs in 2019. 

For the former incident, four women filed separate police reports for rape, and it was reported that he had sexually assaulted them in toilets on different occasions. Despite the court ruling him as innocent, his image was severely tarnished. 

Later in 2019, Park Yoo Chun was arrested on suspicion of purchasing and using drugs. Reports also stated that he was suspected of attempting to destroy evidence by colouring and shaving his hair before undergoing a drug test. 

Although he initially denied the accusations, the artiste eventually admitted to his crimes and was sentenced to 10 months in jail, with a 2-year suspension and a hefty fine.  

7. SS501’s Kim Hyun Joong physically abusing ex-girlfriend

Source

SS501’s Kim Hyun Joong is a familiar name to K-pop and K-drama lovers, especially if you’ve watched Boys Over Flowers. He played the role of Yoon Ji Hoo, and fans loved his sweet and innocent image. However, his gentle and caring reputation shattered when he was accused of abusing his ex-girlfriend, whom he had dated for more than a year in 2014. 

His ex-girlfriend claimed that Kim Hyun Joong physically abused her, and was left with bruises and broken ribs that required six weeks of medical treatment. 

In an attempt to maintain confidentiality on the issue, Kim Hyun Joong admitted to physically assaulting his ex-girlfriend, offered to pay her a settlement fee, and issued an official apology letter. He was also fined KRW$5,000,000 (~S$5,070) for assault charges.

After the incident, Kim Hyun Joong resumed his career as a celebrity, and has since then appeared in K-dramas, and released various albums. In 2022, Kim Hyun Joong married his non-celebrity girlfriend, and is currently on a world tour. 

8. Kris Wu’s rape and group sex charges

Source

Kris Wu, a former member of K-pop boy group EXO, who is better known as a Chinese-Canadian solo artist and actor in China, was charged with raping three intoxicated women and engaging in group sex in 2021. 

The truth about his sexual misconduct came to light when a Chinese influencer exposed his past via social media, 2 years after she was sexually assaulted. She recounted how she had been scammed into thinking that she was meeting Kris Wu for a work opportunity in a hotel room, and was forced to drink alcohol before completely losing consciousness. 

Using similar tactics and under the pretence of holding a “private” fanmeeting, Kris Wu also tricked multiple underage girls before raping them. The influencer also mentioned that Kris Wu’s agency later paid her hush money, which amounted to RMB500,000 (~S$94,645). 

Thanks to her expose, many girls also spoke up about their horrific encounters with Kris Wu, and the whole saga received global attention.      

Kris Wu is now serving prison time for a total of 13 years 4 months, and will be deported from China once he has completed his sentence. 

Also read: 

17 Korean Celeb Couples That Will Make You Believe In Love Again Including IU & Lee Jong Suk

9. G.NA prostitution scandal

Source

Being a celebrity has its pros and cons ‒ one wrong move, and your career can flop instantly. 

G.NA was a very popular solo artiste in Korea until she was revealed as a celebrity who had been arrested for suspected prostitution activity in 2016. Many media outlets reported that she had been paid a huge sum of money to go on a date, including sexual favours, with a businessman. But she denied the accusations, highlighting that she had no idea that her friend who set up the meeting was a broker for high-end prostitution. 

However, G.NA was eventually charged with prostitution charges and has since been on an indefinite hiatus. 

10. BIGBANG’s Seung Ri’s involvement in the Burning Sun scandal

Source

You don’t have to be deeply ingrained in the K-pop scene to know about the Burning Sun scandal in 2019. It involved numerous Korean celebrities, namely BIGBANG’s Seung Ri, Jung Joon Young, CNBLUE’s Lee Jong Hyun, FTISLAND’s Choi Jong Hoon, and Highlight’s Yong Jun Hyung. 

The allegations included arranging prostitutes for investors, sharing illegal sexual footage, gambling, corruption, tax evasion, and drug distribution in the nightclub Burning Sun. 

Since Seung Ri was a creative director and shareholder in the nightclub, netizens speculated that he was one of the key players involved in the vices. Investigations also showed that he and seven other people were in a group chat, where Seung Ri arranged prostitutes for VIPs of the nightclub.  

As journalists dug deeper into the scandal, they discovered more shocking connections with various high-ranked officers, suggesting that many of them had a role in the aforementioned crimes. 

After a long period of investigation and trials, Seung Ri was sentenced to a 3-year jail term, but he appealed, and his sentence was reduced to 18 months.

Read the full details about the Burning Sun scandal here. 

11. Ailee’s nudes were leaked

Source

Leaking a person’s nudes in an attempt to extort money is a despicable action, and I hope no one ever has to go through it. Unfortunately, solo artiste Ailee was a victim of a modelling scam, where nude photos of her were taken under the pretence of a fitting session in 2013. 

When she noticed the leak, she consulted her ex-boyfriend who happened to be working in a media company. As an “excuse” to better examine the situation, he requested the nudes from Ailee and allegedly tried to sell them to other Korean media outlets to make money. It was at that point in time when the same media company that he worked for was the first to write an article about Ailee’s leaked nude photos. 

Since all the fingers pointed to Ailee’s ex-boyfriend, the incident resulted in many angry fans and netizens demanding Ailee’s ex-boyfriend and the media company delete the post. 

Thankfully, despite the big hoo-ha, Ailee was able to make a successful comeback as a singer. 

12. GLAM’s Da Hee blackmailing actor Lee Byung Hun

GLAM’s Da Hee changed her name to Kim Si Won
Source

Going through thick and thin with a friend is no doubt admirable, but doing so without much thought may not be the wisest decision. K-pop girl group GLAM’s Da Hee was friends with model Lee Ji Yeon, who allegedly had an affair with actor Lee Byung Hun. Yes, the actor who played the frontman in Squid Game.   

Since they broke up on bad terms, Lee Ji Yeon wanted to get even with the actor and sought the help of Da Hee in 2014. The two girls visited Lee Byung Hun’s house and got him drunk. While Lee Byung Hun was making sexual comments towards Lee Ji Yeon, Da Hee took the opportunity to capture the incident on video. They then tried to blackmail him, demanding KRW$5 billion won (~S$5 million), with the intention of fleeing overseas.  

Of course, Lee Byung Hun did not give in to their request and later reported them to the police. 

The two girls were arrested for blackmailing, and Da Hee and Lee Ji Yeon were sentenced to a year in prison and a year and a few months respectively. 

After serving their sentence, Da Hee reportedly changed her name to Kim Si Won, and is now working as a streamer. 

13. Omega X sexually harassed by their CEO’s wife

Source

2022 was a rough year for members of K-pop boy group Omega X. In a press conference, they revealed shocking accusations of their then-agency’s CEO and his wife, who physically, verbally, and sexually abused the members for almost a year. Yikes. 

They only decided to seek legal help when footage of the CEO’s wife allegedly hitting several members after a concert in Los Angeles circulated among fans. The incident was so severe that even one of the members fainted. 

What’s infuriating is also the fact that the CEO’s wife later tried to deny the allegations, and even gaslighted the members despite sufficient evidence. 

Fortunately, Omega X won the legal battle against their former agency, and they are now signed under a new label, and recently released their third mini album in October 2023. 

14. The East Light physically abused by their CEO

Source

Everyone deserves basic respect, so when The East Light shared in a press conference in 2018 that they had been suffering from physical and verbal abuse from their CEO for 4 years even before debut, fans and netizens were angrily seeking justice for the group. 

According to a member’s recount, a producer was also involved in the abuse, making them get on the floor and hitting them with baseball bats and iron bars. The producer and CEO even took advantage of the members’ young age, threatening them not to tell anyone about the abuse. Plus, they forced them to smoke cigarettes. 

Thankfully, justice was on The East Light’s side, and the producer and CEO were sentenced to 16 months in prison and 8 months in prison respectively. 

15. Unsolved murder of DEUX’s Kim Sung Jae

Image courtesy of SBS

Long before I even became a K-pop fan, one mystery that has always baffled fans is the unsolved murder of DEUX’s Kim Sung Jae. He was a member of the popular K-pop duo DEUX, and a day after his solo debut, the police found him dead in a hotel in 1995. 

The odd part was the fact that the autopsy found traces of animal anaesthetic in his body and 28 needle marks on his right arm. Considering the fact that it was the idol’s dominant arm, many people suspected there was foul play, and the murderer was Kim Sung Jae’s obsessive girlfriend. 

Based on a Reddit thread, his girlfriend was a medical student who had knowledge and a clear understanding of human anatomy. Plus, she came from a rich and powerful family with strong political connections. 

While she was charged with murder for the first and second trials, things drastically changed when she attended the third trial. Witnesses who had previously testified then said that they could no longer remember anything, and the court ended up concluding the case due to a “lack of evidence”. 

As such, she was free to go and reportedly began a new life after changing her name, and undergoing a full-face surgery. 

16. Baek Ji Young’s sex tape

Source

Baek Ji Young was set to become Korea’s hottest female artist when she made her debut in 1999. However, when an explicit sex tape of her and her manager was uploaded onto a pay-per-view pornography site, her career came to an immediate halt. TV and radio stations were cancelling schedules with her, and the amount of criticism she received was unimaginable. 

It turned out that her manager was reportedly the culprit behind the incident. He had wanted to use the video to blackmail Baek Ji Young in case she tried to replace him with someone else when she became famous. 

If you thought that was the end of the shenanigans, there’s more. A tech student later hacked the porn site for the original sex tape and then spread the footage, which multiplied to over 200,000 copies in a day over the internet. Baek Ji Young had no choice and left Korea for Guam to tide things over. 

Being a strong woman herself, Baek Ji Young did not back down and told the press that she would continue as a singer since she had done nothing wrong to deserve the backlash. It took her some time before she made a proper comeback, and when she did, she was welcomed with open arms. 

These K-pop Scandals Show The Dark Side Of The Showbiz Industry

From physical abuse to sexual harassment, these K-pop scandals highlight the numerous risks and scandals that come with pursuing a career in showbiz. While some people are attracted to the glitz and glamour of the industry, they also need to know that not everyone is as nice as they seem to be. 

Cover: Source, source, source

Also read:

Why Females Involved With Media Scandals In Singapore Get The Short End Of The Stick

The post 16 Biggest K-pop Scandals That Shocked Fans Over The Years, Like G-Dragon’s Drug Issues & Kris Wu’s Rape Charges appeared first on ZULA.sg.