K-Idol Romance Scandals That Have Shocked Korea This Year!
- lewishooper1
- 5m
- 3 min read
From secret dates to industry chaos, here are the K-pop idol scandals that shook the year!
In any industry, there are always scandalous activities; however, when you are in the public eye, you have to be more careful and discreet with your moves. This has not been the case for some of these big-name K-idols!
First up, ALLDAY PROJECT's Woochan and Youngseo Dating Rumors
This scandal focuses on the rumors that went viral this year, all thanks to Woochan and Youngseo, who are both members of ALLDAY PROJECT.
In fact, the speculation went viral across social media channels, thanks to some fan footage which centered on 'fan service', which has since caused a massive debate among fans. The video footage showed an Eyesmag chat promotional event. It featured Woochan and Youngseo, who were both engaging in a prolonged staring contest or a moment of intense eye contact. Fans noted their "soft smiles", "quick blushes", and undeniable chemistry, interpreting the interaction as evidence of a romantic connection beyond mere friendship. Could this be one of the first open K-idol couples?
The controversy highlights the intense scrutiny and high fan expectations placed on idols, particularly within co-ed group dynamics, and the hush hush same sex couple culture in conservative Korea.
MADEIN Agency Scandal, which appeared to be more than just romance
This all-singing and dancing K-pop girl group MADIEN and their entertainment agency 143 Entertainment have both faced a major scandal at the end of 2024, and in early 2025, which literally shocked K-pop fans worldwide, along with the Korean nation.
The scandal was not a romance scandal; however, it was a scandal involving serious allegations of sexual assault by the agency's CEO against a former band member, Gaeun, who at the time was classified as a minor.
This sickening act meant that the rest of the group also faced backlash due to their handling of the bad situation, and the fact that they refused an old blog post of a former member during the controversy. What do you think about this? The Dojeon team believes that the rest of the group should not have got caught up in this, however considering how much time idol training groups spend together, we are sure that they had an idea about what might have been going on, and as a result they should have stood up for their fellow band member during this horrendous time, this just goes to show the amount of influence that entertainment labels have over their artists.
Kim Soo-hyun & Kim Sae-ron - The Underage Grooming Scandal
This is one of the scandals that the Dojeon team has written about several times, due to the outrage within his fan group and the Korean public. This controversy came about after the late passing of Kim Sae-ron back in February this year, when it was widely publicized that he was dating the late actress while she was underage, which has since had catastrophic implications on his career, since he is now a part of the cancel culture.
It also came about that a friend of the late star publicly accused Kim Soo-hyun, stating that he was seventy percent responsible for the emotional decline in Sae-ron's mental state before her death. It really does say something when your close friends turn on you.
Nevertheless, Kim Soo-hyun's agency decided to deny the claims, and as a result, the fallout from the allegations became a major national scandal with divided opinions. The power balance between the two stars and the age difference is, for sure, one that is intense and could stem from the pressures of the celebrity culture in Korea.
Final thoughts: Breakups and industry pressure
The Dojeon team believes that idol dating rumors feed the media and keep the press and fans talking about these idols! We believe that the most impactful scandal this year is the one focusing on ALLDAY PROJECT, as it pays attention to the darker side of the Korean culture and entertainment industry, which is same sex relationships, which we have spoken about many times before.
Having said that, a very concerning and sensitive scandal is the one in which Kim Soo-hyun found himself. Whether or not his actions were reciprocated, being in the public eye, he should not have engaged in those activities, and he has paid the price. Once the face of supermarket chain Home Plus and the face of nearly every coffee shop, his face and brand endorsements have all but disappeared, so it is as if they never actually happened.
Which scandal is the most juicy for you? Comment below and let the Dojeon team know!