Major Scandals That Shook the K-pop Industry in 2025

2025 was a year marked by unprecedented scandals and controversies within the K-pop industry. What began as the usual cycle of music releases and world tours turned into a massive vortex of legal crises, cultural backlash, criminal convictions for violence, and industry conflicts. One of the most shocking incidents was the cultural appropriation controversy faced by KISS OF LIFE in April. The group came under criticism for using slurs, chains, and other offensive terms during a birthday livestream themed around “old-school hip hop,” which some viewed as a minimization of Black culture. Fans labeled this behavior cultural appropriation, sparking intense online debates. On April 3, S2 Entertainment issued an apology, removed the content, and admitted to their lack of sensitivity. The members also posted handwritten apologies, but the backlash continued. By mid-May, KISS OF LIFE withdrew from the KCON LA 2025 stage, and their social media engagement dropped significantly as they faced widespread boycotts. The most severe incident affecting the industry was the prison sentence handed down to former NCT member Taeil. In July, he was found guilty of sexually assaulting a drunk Chinese tourist in Seoul and sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison. The court convicted Taeil and two accomplices of committing violent acts while the victim was unable to resist, highlighting the seriousness of the crime. SM Entertainment had already removed him from the group and terminated his contract in 2024. Video leaks from BLACKPINK’s pre-debut activities also caused significant controversy. Videos leaked at the end of March showed Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa using the N-word in informal settings. Although there was no official apology at the time, the resurfacing of these videos during high-profile events such as the 2025 Met Gala reignited discussions about racial sensitivity in K-pop and the responsibilities of global stars participating in various cultural events. The long-standing management dispute between NewJeans and ADOR also saw new developments. After negotiations, ADOR announced the return of all five members, ending months of uncertainty and marking a significant turning point in what had been one of the most closely watched management conflicts in K-pop. THE BOYZ’s main member’s departure was also recorded as one of the major scandals of 2025. These series of incidents demonstrate just how deep the structural and individual-level crises faced by the K-pop industry in 2025 were. Industry experts believe these scandals have had a substantial impact on K-pop’s international reputation and credibility. Amidst multiple crises related to racial sensitivity, sexual violence, and management disputes, the K-pop industry is now acutely aware of the need for internal reform and increased transparency.