Breaking It DownAll the K-Pop Stars Who’ve Had Run-Ins With the Law: NCT’s Taeil, EXO’s Kris Wu

BigBang’s Seungri

In 2019, Seungri became central to the Burning Sun scandal, facing accusations of providing sex workers, distributing non-consensual sexual content, embezzlement, and other crimes. Although he did not record the material himself, he was involved in sharing and engaging with it. He was sentenced to three years in prison and subsequently left Big Bang and the entertainment industry.

He was indicted in January 2020 on multiple charges, including arranging illegal sexual services for business investors from Taiwan, Japan and Hong Kong from 2015 to 2016. He was also convicted of embezzling funds from a Seoul nightclub he ran and violating laws prohibiting overseas gambling by betting heavily at foreign casinos from 2013 to 2017. He denied most of the charges. Seungri’s case concluded in January 2022 in a military appeals court, with a reduced prison sentence of one year and a half and a fine.

He was indicted in January 2020 on multiple charges, including arranging illegal sexual services for business investors from Taiwan, Japan and Hong Kong from 2015 to 2016. He was also convicted of embezzling funds from a Seoul nightclub he ran and violating laws prohibiting overseas gambling by betting heavily at foreign casinos from 2013 to 2017. He denied most of the charges. Seungri’s case concluded in January 2022 in a military appeals court, with a reduced prison sentence of one year and a half and a fine.

Jung Joon-young

Jung Joonyoung’s career was ruined when he was exposed as a key figure in the Burning Sun scandal. He was involved in sharing non-consensual sexual videos, filmed his own, and was convicted of raping two women alongside former FTIsland member Choi Jonghoon.

FTisland’s Choi Jong-Hoon

Choi Jonghoon, a K-pop idol implicated in the Burning Sun scandal, was found guilty of rape and sharing non-consensual videos. He was also involved in illegal photo distribution. Additionally, Choi was linked to a 2016 drunk driving accident, for which he tried to arrange a cover-up, and was later charged with bribing an officer during the Burning Sun investigations. In 2020, he admitted to the drunk driving charge but denied allegations of bribery.

Kris Wu

Former EXO member Kris Wu was sentenced to 13 years in prison for “group lewdness” and date-raping multiple women, including two minors. The allegations surfaced in 2021 when influencer Du Meizhu exposed him on Weibo. Although there were claims that Du retracted her accusations, this has not been confirmed. Wu’s appeal was denied by the Chinese Appeal Court in 2023. After serving his sentence, he will be deported to Canada. Wu was also fined around $84 million for falsifying business transactions in 2019 and 2020.

TVXQ’s Yoochun

In 2019, former TVXQ member Yoochun was convicted of methamphetamine use and retired from the entertainment industry, though he returned less than a year later. In late 2023, he was revealed to have over $300,000 in unpaid taxes but has not addressed this issue publicly. Yoochun was also accused of sexual assault in 2016, which he denied, and the case was dismissed. However, he was ordered to pay $90,000 to one accuser for stress caused by his countersuit.

Victon’s Chan

In 2022, Heo Chan, then a member of VICTON, came under police investigation for drunk driving. Shortly after the news emerged, IST Entertainment issued a follow-up statement revealing that Chan would be leaving the boy group due to his offense. Chan later issued an apology to fans and had his license revoked.

VIXX’s Ravi

In 2023, it was revealed that Ravi of VIXX faked epilepsy symptoms to avoid his mandatory two-year military service. He hired a military broker to help him pass the examination. Ravi has since left VIXX, apologized, and was sentenced to one year in prison and 120 hours of community service.

GLAM’s Dahee

Big Hit Music’s first girl group, GLAM, faced major issues during their brief career, including member Dahee‘s 2015 conviction for blackmailing actor Lee Byunghun.

Dahee and her accomplice, Lee Jiyeon, secretly filmed Lee’s affair and tried to extort money from him. Lee reported them to the police, and though there were rumors they planned to flee to Europe, this was never confirmed. Dahee, now a streamer named Kim Siwon, and Lee Jiyeon, both served a year in prison for the crime.

Super Junior’s Kangin

Kangin, whose career spans over a decade, has faced several scandals, including legal issues. He was involved in two civil assault cases: one in 2009, where he acted in self-defense, and another in 2017, which was settled privately.

In 2009, Kangin fled the scene of a hit-and-run while drunk, colliding with two parked taxis, but turned himself in five hours later. A similar incident occurred in 2016 when he caused a traffic accident under the influence and fled, only to surrender hours later. Although he did not serve jail time, he paid about $12,000 in fines for these offenses.

BigBang’s T.O.P.

During his mandatory military service as a conscripted police officer in 2017, T.O.P. was prosecuted for marijuana use and transferred to a different division and suspended. Following an overdose on anti-anxiety medication, he was hospitalized but later recovered. On June 29, 2017, he pleaded guilty to marijuana use and received two years probation. Following a disciplinary review, he was reassigned to public service, resuming duties at the Yongsan Arts and Crafts Center in 2018, and was officially discharged on July 8, 2019.

BIGBANG’s G-Dragon

In December 2023, K-Pop star G-Dragon was cleared of illegal drug use allegations by South Korean police. The investigation, part of a wider crackdown under President Yoon Suk Yeol, concluded when the Incheon Metropolitan Police decided not to press charges due to insufficient evidence and testimonies, Yonhap News Agency reported.

BTS’ Suga

In August 2024, BTS’ Suga disclosed in a statement that he had his driver’s license revoked and was fined following an incident where he rode an electric scooter home after drinking, which breaches South Korea’s traffic regulations.

The Seoul Yongsan Police Station is currently investigating whether the K-pop star’s actions violated the Road Traffic Act, with a specific focus on the legality of riding his scooter while under the influence. This inquiry is taking place while Suga is serving as a social service agent, a position he has held since September 2023 due to shoulder surgery he underwent in 2020. His extended military service, which lasts 21 months, is scheduled to end in June 2025.

NCT’s Taeil

South Korean singer Taeil has left his band NCT after being accused of an unspecified sexual crime.

His label, SM Entertainment, released a statement on X on Wednesday, August 28, saying the NCT member will depart from the boy band after learning he has been “accused in a criminal case related to a sexual crime.” The label did not specify the nature of the crime.

“We have recently learned that Taeil has been charged with a criminal case related to sexual offenses,” the label stated. “As we gathered the facts, we realized the seriousness of the case and decided that he could no longer continue to be a part of the team, and in consultation with Taeil, he has decided to leave the team. Taeil is cooperating fully with the police investigation and we will provide further comment as the investigation progresses. We deeply apologize for any offense our artist may have caused.”

Taeil has yet to release a statement regarding the accusations.