Amid the glitz and glamour of the K-pop world, 2024 unveiled a more turbulent side of the industry. High-profile scandals and group lineup changes kept fans buzzing and offered audiences a stark contrast to the polished perfection often associated with idols and their agencies.

From fiery legal battles to personal controversies that rocked entire fandoms, here’s a closer look at the year’s most talked-about moments that shaped — and sometimes shook to its core — the global phenomenon of K-pop.

1. NewJeans and the HYBE-ADOR dispute

NewJeans, the acclaimed K-pop girl group under HYBE Corporation's subsidiary ADOR, became embroiled in allegations of workplace bullying and mistreatment, shedding light on the challenges faced by K-pop idols. The controversy began with disputes between HYBE and ADOR's former CEO Min Hee-Jin, who accused HYBE of copying her creative concepts.

Although reinstated temporarily, Min resigned in August after intense conflicts, vowing legal action. Subsequently, NewJeans voiced support for Min and shared grievances about workplace issues, with member Hanni recounting instances of bullying during a live stream. Despite public outrage and petitions, South Korea's Ministry of Employment and Labor dismissed the allegations, citing entertainers' unique contractual status, which differs from traditional employment laws.

In November, NewJeans announced the termination of their contract with ADOR, citing broken relationships and unresolved disputes with the agency. During a press conference, the group expressed their commitment to fulfilling existing obligations while pursuing independent careers. They emphasized that any contract breaches were on ADOR's part, not theirs, and vowed to retain their group name, which they described as integral to their identity.

2. Seunghan's withdrawal from RIIZE

RIIZE, a rising K-pop group under SM Entertainment, faced an unexpected controversy shortly after their debut due to leaked photos of member Seunghan. The images, which surfaced in September 2023, showed Seunghan smoking as a minor and engaging in personal relationships before his debut. The incident sparked intense backlash, with some fans questioning his suitability as a member of the group.

Amid the uproar, death threats and wreaths were sent to SM Entertainment's headquarters, escalating concerns for Seunghan's safety. On 6 November, SM announced Seunghan’s withdrawal from RIIZE, citing the need to protect the group and its members from further harm. This marked a significant turning point for the group, which had otherwise been enjoying a record-breaking debut. Seunghan's departure left fans divided, with some expressing support for him and others focusing on RIIZE’s future without him.

On 15 November, SM Entertainment announced Seunghan’s return to the K-pop scene. In an official statement, the agency revealed that Seunghan will debut as a solo artist in the second half of 2025. Seunghan also launched an individual Instagram account, which, as of writing, has 605,000 followers.