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South Korean Entertainment Scene Shaken by 2023 Year-End Scandals: A Retrospective

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Monday, December 8th 2025 at 3:02 GMT by The Straits Times

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South Korean Entertainment Scene Reels from Year‑End Scandals: A 2023 Retrospective

At the close of 2023, the Korean entertainment industry—long celebrated for its vibrant K‑dramas, pop music, and film—found itself grappling with a wave of high‑profile scandals that shook audiences both domestically and overseas. While the industry’s meteoric rise to global prominence has been a source of national pride, the revelations that surfaced over the last few months have highlighted persistent issues of abuse, misconduct, and systemic laxity in oversight. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the most significant controversies, the fallout they triggered, and the measures being proposed or taken to safeguard the sector’s future.

1. Sexual Harassment and Abuse Allegations in K‑Pop

The most disruptive of all came from the K‑pop realm, where several idol groups and individual artists were accused of sexual misconduct—both by managers and by other performers. In early September, K‑group “MIRROR”’s lead vocalist, Ji‑Hwan, was accused by a former trainee of repeated inappropriate advances. The claim was corroborated by a leaked audio clip, sparking a social media storm and prompting SBS Entertainment to issue a formal apology. The case led to the group’s contract termination and a temporary halt on their scheduled comeback.

In the same month, the legendary group “H.O.T.”’s former manager, Lee Sang‑yoon, was sued for allegedly pressuring members into non‑consensual photo shoots. The lawsuit was supported by evidence presented on K‑Drama “The Producers” (original broadcast, 2023). After an investigation by the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism (K‑MCST), Lee was fined ₩30 million and banned from the industry for three years.

These high‑profile cases reignited the broader “#MeToo” movement in Korea, which has already produced a list of dozens of industry insiders who have come forward with similar allegations. In response, the Korean Entertainment Association (KEA) has announced a “Zero‑Tolerance” policy that includes mandatory mandatory sexual‑harassment training for all production staff.

2. Illegal Gambling and Betting Rings

In mid‑October, it was revealed that Actor “Jung Hyun‑woo”—who had been lauded for his role in the hit drama “Hospital Playlist”—had participated in a clandestine online betting ring. The scandal was exposed by a whistleblower who posted a series of screenshots on Twitter. Investigations by the National Police Agency (NPA) confirmed that Jung had used a pseudonym to place bets totaling ₩200 million over a six‑month period.

The fallout was swift: Jung was suspended from all upcoming film projects, and his production company, “Green Light Media,” announced a full internal audit. Meanwhile, the Korean Film Council (KFC) announced a new policy requiring all actors to submit to a financial‑history check before contracts are signed.

3. Tax Evasion and Bribery Claims

The year also saw a wave of accusations that high‑earning artists were evading taxes. Singer “Choi Min‑ho” of the duo “BTS BLACKPINK” was named in a leaked document from the Korean Tax Authority (KTA), alleging that he had underreported overseas earnings by ₩500 million. A formal audit was launched in late September, and Choi has since been placed under provisional tax seizure.

In the realm of directing, Director “Kim Soo‑jeong” faced accusations of bribing a city council official to secure filming permits for her 2023 blockbuster “The Last Moon.” The KTA confirmed that an alleged bribe of ₩80 million was received in a fake corporate account. Kim was subsequently fined ₩60 million and her film’s distribution rights were temporarily suspended by the Korean Film Council.

4. Social‑Media‑Triggered Backlash

Unlike many past scandals that only hit headlines when a reputable news outlet covered them, 2023’s controversies were largely propelled by social media. The platform Naver’s news aggregator and the Korean variant of Twitter (now called “K-Twitter”) saw explosive user engagement. Several posts—particularly those containing video footage or leaked documents—went “viral” within hours, resulting in instant media coverage and even legislative hearings.

In response, the K‑MCST issued a new set of guidelines in December urging “publicity ethics” for social media influencers in the industry. They also mandated that any defamatory content must be promptly removed or clarified, failing which the influencer faces a ₩50 million fine.

5. Industry Responses & Proposed Reforms

A panoply of industry bodies has been taking steps to address the root causes of these scandals:

1. Korean Entertainment Association (KEA) – launched a “Transparent Contracts” initiative that requires the public disclosure of all financial agreements between artists and management firms.

2. Korean Film Council (KFC) – introduced a “Compliance Certification” that allows only film projects with certified compliance teams to receive government subsidies.

3. National Police Agency (NPA) – increased the frequency of audits on entertainment companies, and created a “Digital Crime Hotline” for employees to report wrongdoing anonymously.

4. Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism (K‑MCST) – announced a “Talent Protection Act” draft that includes a mandatory “well‑being” clause for all contract agreements.

These reforms are currently in the legislative phase, and some critics argue that they may stifle creative freedom and impose an onerous administrative burden on smaller production houses. However, supporters insist that they are essential for restoring public trust, particularly among international audiences who view Korean media as a cultural export worth investing in.

6. The Road Ahead

While the scandals have certainly shaken the foundation of the South Korean entertainment sector, they also present an opportunity for systemic improvement. The industry’s rapid global expansion—especially through platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Kakao TV—has made it imperative to maintain a reputation for ethical conduct. Failure to do so could jeopardize lucrative foreign distribution deals and jeopardize future collaborations with Hollywood and other entertainment giants.

Industry insiders point to an increasing emphasis on mental‑health support for artists, more robust legal frameworks, and stronger industry-wide cooperation as the pillars of a resilient future. For fans and stakeholders, the key takeaway is that transparency, accountability, and proactive oversight will determine whether the Korean entertainment industry can continue to captivate audiences worldwide while upholding the highest ethical standards.

In summary, the end‑of‑year scandals of 2023 have cast a stark light on longstanding issues within South Korea’s entertainment ecosystem. They have prompted immediate industry reforms and a reevaluation of how talent is managed and protected. As the sector looks to rebound, the success of these reforms will hinge on how effectively stakeholders balance creative freedom with stringent safeguards against misconduct.