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.
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.
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.
On 28 August, SM Entertainment announced the immediate removal of Taeil from the South Korean boy group NCT following allegations of involvement in an unspecified sexual offense. The announcement stated that Taeil is under investigation and will no longer participate in group activities, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. Following the announcement, NCT members unfollowed Taeil on social media, and fans began withdrawing their support by closing fan accounts and destroying merchandise.
NCT currently consists of 25 members, with NCT 127 active as six members, as leader Taeyong and Jaehyun are currently fulfilling their military service.
In September 2024, Suga, a member of the globally renowned K-pop group BTS, was fined 15 million won (approximately $11,500) for operating an electric scooter under the influence of alcohol in Seoul. The incident occurred in August when Suga, whose real name is Min Yoon-gi, was found with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.227%, significantly exceeding South Korea's legal limit of 0.08%. Following the incident, his driver's license was revoked. This event disappointed some fans and critics, with reports of flower wreaths and protest trucks being sent with messages urging him to leave the band. Meanwhile, other ARMYs, the fanbase of BTS, continuously show their support for Suga, and started an online movement condemning sensationalized media coverages and cyberbullying towards the artist.
Suga publicly apologized for his actions, acknowledging his behavior as "careless and wrong." He expressed deep regret for the distress caused to fans and pledged to be more responsible in the future.
KG, a 17-year-old member of the U.S.-based girl group VCHA managed by JYP Entertainment and Republic Records, filed a lawsuit against JYP USA, alleging child labor exploitation, abuse, and unfair business practices. She announced her departure from the group on Instagram, citing poor treatment and mental health concerns. The lawsuit details claims of neglect, grueling work conditions, financial exploitation, constant surveillance, emotional abuse, and enforced conformity to extreme body standards. KG also stated she was coerced into significant debt for living expenses and was inadequately paid. JYP USA has denied the allegations, stating KG's claims are false.
ENHYPEN's leader, Jungwon, recently became the target of severe fan backlash following dating rumors involving aespa's Winter. Despite official denials from both artists and their agencies, some fans escalated their protests by sending funeral wreaths to HYBE's headquarters, a gesture traditionally associated with mourning in South Korea. These wreaths bore messages criticizing Jungwon and even calling for his removal from the group.
This extreme reaction has drawn widespread condemnation from netizens and the general public, who view such actions as excessive and harmful. The practice of sending funeral wreaths as a form of protest has been observed in other recent K-pop controversies, raising concerns about the intensifying nature of fan culture and the pressures faced by idols. Many are calling for more constructive ways to express dissatisfaction, emphasizing the need for respect and support for artists' personal lives.