The dark side of K-Pop: From BIGBANG's Seungri, EXO's Kris Wu to NCT's Taeil among male idols accused of sexual offences

The proverb "With great power comes great responsibility" implies that those with the ability to influence or act should do so for the benefit of others. In the K-pop industry, however, this principle often seems distorted, with some male idols using their influence to exploit and harm women.

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While foreign fans may not always connect with every scandal and may see their favourite idols leave groups, sexual offence scandals resonate universally. Among these, the 2019 Burning Sun scandal is particularly notable as one of the most significant in K-pop history. Let's examine the male idols who have been accused of sexual offences over the years.

BigBang's Seungri:

In 2019, Seungri was at the centre of the Burning Sun scandal, facing accusations of providing sex workers, distributing non-consensual content, and embezzlement. He was imprisoned for three years and left BigBang and the entertainment industry. Indicted in January 2020, he faced charges of arranging illegal sexual services for investors, embezzling from a nightclub, and violating overseas gambling laws. Although he denied most charges, his case concluded in January 2022 with a reduced sentence of 18 months and a fine.

Drug Restaurant's Jung Joon-young:

The former Drug Restaurant musician's career collapsed after he was revealed as a central figure in the Burning Sun scandal. He was implicated in sharing non-consensual sexual videos, recorded his own, and was convicted of raping two women, along with former FTIsland member Choi Jonghoon.

FTisland's Choi Jong-Hoon:

The K-pop idol was also involved in the Burning Sun scandal and was convicted of rape and distributing non-consensual videos. He was also linked to illegal photo distribution and a 2016 drunk driving incident, which he attempted to cover up. Additionally, he faced charges of bribing an officer during the Burning Sun investigations. In 2020, Choi admitted to the drunk driving charge but denied the bribery allegations.

EXO's Kris Wu:

The Former EXO member was sentenced to 13 years in prison for "group lewdness" and sexually assaulting multiple women, including two minors. The allegations came to light in 2021 when influencer Du Meizhu exposed him on Weibo. In 2023, Wu's appeal was denied by the Chinese Appeal Court. After completing his sentence, he will be deported to Canada. Additionally, Wu was fined approximately $84 million for falsifying business transactions in 2019 and 2020.

TVXQ's Yoochun:

The former TVXQ member was accused of sexual assault in 2016, which he denied and was dismissed. He was, however, ordered to pay $90,000 to one accuser for stress related to his countersuit. In 2019, he was convicted of methamphetamine use and initially retired from the entertainment industry, although he made a return less than a year later. 

NCT's Taeil:

The NCT singer was removed from the group and the company SM Entertainment after he was investigated by authorities for aggravated quasi-rape, according to a report released on Monday, October 7, 2024. The inquiry focused on allegations that Taeil, along with two acquaintances, sexually assaulted an inebriated woman in June. It is worth mentioning that none of his accomplices are famous people. If convicted, he could face up to seven years in prison.

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