Song Ha Yoon, Stray Kids Hyunjin, Seo Ye Ji and more: Korean celebrities embroiled in bullying accusations

Lately, K-celeb bullying scandals are popping up left, right, and center, leaving fans gobsmacked and scratching their heads. In a cutthroat industry where image is everything, even the slightest hint of controversy can spell doom for stars. Over the years, several stars have faced serious repercussions for allegations of past behavior, leading to temporary breaks or even being ‘cancelled’ by fans. Here's a look at those K-stars who have been sidelined or faced cancellations, whether the claims against them were true, false or unverified.

Following the fame of her 2020 K-drama ‘It's Okay Not to Be Okay’ alongside Kim Soo Hyun, actress Seo Ye Ji faced intense scrutiny as past allegations of bullying resurfaced. A netizen, alleging to be her former schoolmate, claimed Seo Ye Ji was involved in bullying and violence during her school years. Another victim emerged, accusing the actress of physical aggression towards disliked individuals. These accusations weren't new; similar claims had surfaced back in 2014. According to a victim, Seo Ye Ji was notorious for bullying and stealing money from peers. At the time of these earlier allegations, Seo Ye Ji was just beginning her journey as a rookie actress. Subsequently, she withdrew from her projects and has maintained a low profile since.

In 2021, Stray Kids rapper Hyunjin faced serious allegations of school bullying, particularly involving verbal harassment. These accusations arose when an anonymous individual shared a detailed account on an online forum, recalling instances of alleged verbal abuse by Hyunjin during their middle school years. Responding to the controversy, JYP Entertainment announced that Hyunjin would be taking a hiatus from his activities to engage in self-reflection. Subsequently, Hyunjin issued a heartfelt apology on Instagram, expressing, “Whether it was intended or not, I don’t think I can be forgiven at all for giving unforgettable pain to someone”.

Jong-seo’s agency vehemently denied recent accusations of her being a school bully, promising legal action against what they deemed groundless rumors. Andmarq, her agency, stated, “We have checked with Jeon and her acquaintances and have found that the rumors in the online posts are not true at all. We will pursue legal action to protect her”, in a statement on April 4, 2024. The controversy ignited on April 3 when an anonymous post on the South Korean workplace community app Blind alleged Jong-seo's involvement in bullying during middle school. The author claimed Jong-seo would "frequently steal or snatch away other kids’ gym clothes and uniforms", adding, “Just seeing Jeon’s face brings back those unpleasant memories”.

Renowned for his swoon-worthy charm from ‘Strong Woman Do Bong Soon’, Ji Soo shocked fans in 2021 when he became embroiled in bullying controversies. Former schoolmates from Seorabeol Middle School alleged that the actor was a significant bully and juvenile delinquent during his school years. Reports suggest that the bullying occurred between 2006 and 2008, with Ji Soo accused of physically assaulting and stealing from peers, as well as verbally abusing other students' parents. In response to the allegations, the actor took to Instagram, where he shared a handwritten apology expressing deep remorse for his past actions, stating, "I sincerely apologize to those who suffered because of me. There is no excuse for my past misconduct. These were actions that cannot be forgiven".

Actress Song Ha-yoon finds herself at the center of controversy after bullying accusations surfaced on April 1. Allegations emerged from an informant claiming that Song “slapped [him] across the face for 90 minutes”, back in 2004 during their high school years. Initially, Song's agency denied the accusations, but later acknowledged her forced transfer to another school “in relation to a school violence incident”. Song's actual involvement remains unconfirmed.

Fresh off the success of ‘The Uncanny Counter’, Jo Byeong Kyu found himself entangled in bullying allegations in 2021. An individual claiming to be a former classmate at Jo Byeong Gyu’s high school in New Zealand alleged that the actor had engaged in verbal abuse and inappropriate jokes during his school years. While Jo Byeong Gyu’s agency swiftly refuted the claims, the accuser later apologized and removed the post. However, a different individual emerged, alleging bullying by Jo Byeong Gyu during elementary and middle school, which the actor vehemently denied as well. His agency announced plans for legal action against all allegations of school violence, and Jo Byeong Gyu personally addressed the accusations. Additional posts surfaced, including one claiming agency threat and intimidation, which Jo Byeong Gyu also refuted. Jo then disappeared from the public eye, only to return two years later with the second season of the K-drama ‘The Uncanny Counter’.