January 14, 2025
SEOUL – K-pop stars are finding themselves under growing scrutiny from ordinary citizens who have reported alleged misconduct or illegal activities. Some individuals are even stepping forward as witnesses in cases or providing evidence.
Recently, Hanni of NewJeans was anonymously reported to the Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission for allegedly lacking legal status to live and work here.
In response, the Ministry of Justice, which is responsible for managing policies related to foreign residents, stated on Jan. 10 that it would take appropriate action once the employment relationship between Hanni and her agency, Ador, is clarified.
Hanni, a dual citizen of Australia and Vietnam, has an E-6 visa for entertainers to live and and work in South Korea. Her current visa, sponsored by Ador, is reportedly set to expire soon. However, the singer declared the termination of her exclusive contract with the agency last month, raising questions about her visa status.
Another K-pop star, Song Min-ho of Winner, is facing a police investigation for allegedly neglecting his duties as a social service agent, part of Korea’s alternative to active military duty for conscripts. Song, who served at a facility in Mapo-gu, Seoul, from March 2023 to December 2024, is alleged to have been largely absent from his post, based on the testimony of fellow social service personnel.
Reports claim Song cited social anxiety in order to be excused from certain tasks. However, he was allegedly seen attending beach parties and camping trips in Gangwon Province during the period of his service. A party attendee told local media that Song drank alcohol, smoked and socialized freely at a gathering.
Meanwhile, Jennie of Blackpink faced public scrutiny after photos of her vaping in a makeup room in Capri, Italy, were leaked online in July, last year. The images were shared by an unidentified individual, possibly someone in her inner circle. Their rapid circulation on social media sparked intense debate about her conduct as it has been illegal to vape indoors in Italy since 2005.
According to Lee Jong-im. a lecturer at Seoul National University of Science & Technology’s Graduate School of Public Policy and Information Technology, idols are increasingly judged by the same standards applied to other Korean public figures of certain social standing, as people become more critical of them.
“The perception of idols is a mix of acknowledgment and bias. While some celebrate their global status, others still see them as ‘young entertainers,'” Lee said. The pervasiveness of criticisms on social media has made “casual judgments” commonplace, Lee observed. “Statements like ‘that’s not right’ have become everyday occurrences, often directed at idols,” Lee said.
“Interestingly, idols seem to face more immediate and widespread impact from public commentary compared to politicians. Posting about an idol can generate a much larger ripple effect online,” she added.
Lee also explained the trend of reporting on celebrities reflects the emergence of a new culture among fans. While ‘anti fans’ critical of specific artists have been around for years, a new type of fan has emerged, referred to as “kka-ppa,” a term combining “kkada,” a slang for “to criticize,” and “bba,” from “bbadori,” a slang for fanboy.
“In the past, fans primarily defended their idols, but now, some have turned into anti fans (while stille being fans). It’s contradictory — being a fan but also critical,” Lee said. “Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) host significant numbers of these fans who openly criticize their favorite idols. As fanbases grow, so do their subgroups, creating a spectrum of fans. Some express blunt honesty, leading to internal debates among fans.”
While some fans speak out against idols’ perceived wrongdoing, these discussions often carry political undertones, says Lee.
“The rise of social media, once (mainly) seen as a platform for political correctness, has also contributed to polarization. Public figures are often scrutinized whether their success is entirely earned through effort,” Lee said. “Some people, particularly those in similar age groups as idols, view their wealth and success as deriving from public support, fueling skepticism about their ‘self-made’ status.”
A local entertainment official acknowledged the heightened scrutiny and said agencies are educating their artists to be cautious in public.
“We provide internal education or communicate through managers to address certain matters. When issues arise or trends emerge, we ensure points of caution are shared internally to keep everyone informed,” the official said.