2025 was another turbulent year for South Korea. From unprecedented political turmoil to a wave of scandals that rocked the entertainment world, the country found itself navigating a period of intense public scrutiny, institutional reckoning, and shifting social expectations.
The year began with the political upheaval from the previous year, bringing politics to dominate headlines alongside pop culture. At the same time, South Korea's entertainment industry faced its own reckoning.
Courtroom battles, contract disputes, criminal cases, and cultural controversies upended careers and stalled major productions, underscoring how tightly celebrity, power, and public accountability have become intertwined.
As the year unfolded, individual incidents sparked wider conversations, shaping the defining chapter for South Korea in 2025. So below is the recap of the major events that dominated the nation's headlines and the controversies that defined the year:
January
Seoul Court Riot
Following the martial law declaration and his subsequent impeachment in December 2024, former President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested and indicted in January 2025. On January 19, Yoon Suk Yeol's supporters flocked to the Seoul Western District Court during his arrest warrant proceedings, causing physical clashes with police and journalists.
February
Kim Sae Ron's passing
Kim Sae Ron passed away on February 16 at the young age of 24. The tragic death of actress Kim Sae Ron early in the year shocked the public, triggering intense scrutiny of her struggles with debt, past DUI legal problems, and revelations about personal relationships that spilled into online disputes. It became a broader conversation about industry pressures and mental health.
March
Kim Soo Hyun's allegations
Kim Soo Hyun became embroiled in one of the year's most polarizing scandals after relatives of the late Kim Sae Ron raised serious allegations about his past relationship with her. The controversy began when YouTube channel Hoverlab (also known as Garo Sero Research Institute) claimed that Kim Soo Hyun had a romantic relationship with the late actress when she was a minor.
Kim Soo Hyun denied all allegations that the relationship occurred while Kim Sae Ron was underage. He held a public press conference where he tearfully refuted the claims, calling them false and stating that his relationship with her only began after she was of legal age.
He also took aggressive legal action, filing criminal complaints and a 12 billion KRW (approx. 9 million USD) civil lawsuit against the YouTube channel operators and individuals presenting the allegations for defamation, anti-stalking violations, and emotional distress damages.
Following the scandal, Numerous advertisers terminated contracts with Kim or sought compensation, collectively filing lawsuits seeking billions of KRW in damages, as brands invoked morality clauses due to the controversy. As of late 2025, the scandal remains unresolved both legally and socially, with lawsuits ongoing and forensic reviews still in progress, leaving Kim Soo Hyun’s career and reputation in a prolonged state of uncertainty.
'UNDER15' audition program faces child exploitation backlash
As the program's name suggests, 'Under 15' was an audition program geared toward female contestants under the age of 15. Aspiring young girls between the ages of 8 and 15 from various nationalities will showcase their talents and compete for a chance to debut as the next K-pop superstars representing 'Gen Alpha'. The audition program caused outrage when the show's trailer showed clips of minors performing choreography widely criticized as sexualized. The controversy was also intensified due to the ongoing scandal involving Kim Soo Hyun allegedly dating Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor.
Wheesung's Passing
On March 10, the veteran Korean R&B singer-songwriter was found dead in his apartment in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, at around 6:29 PM. His family reported the incident, prompting emergency responders to be dispatched to the scene. At the time of discovery, no signs of forced entry or indications of foul play were found.
The police requested an autopsy from the NFS, and the initial findings stated that the "cause of death was undetermined." However, on the 31st of the same month, Wheesung's case was closed with no suspicion of foul play. Since his passing, many fans and colleagues have been mourning the artist, with many paying tribute to the late Wheesung.
April
KISS OF LIFE Cultural Backlash
KISS OF LIFE was hit by major controversy after a birthday livestream featuring hip-hop-inspired styling sparked accusations of cultural appropriation. Despite the group's apology, fan outrage grew, culminating in the cancellation of their KCON LA 2025 appearance and widespread social media criticism.
BoA's drunk livestream with Jun Hyun Moo
BoA faced backlash after an impromptu livestream with Jun Hyun Moo, where she commented on Park Na Rae. The streaming session began while BoA was drinking with Jun Hyun Moo. During the session, a viewer asked about dating rumors between Jun and fellow comedian Park Na‑rae. Before Jun could respond, BoA jumped in and bluntly dismissed the idea, saying, “No, you’re too good for her.” The remark was widely viewed as disrespectful because it discussed another celebrity’s personal life without her presence or consent, and it spread rapidly via clips shared on social media.
May
aespa's Karina's windbreaker political controversy
In the lead‑up to South Korea’s June 3, 2025 presidential election, aespa member Karina found herself at the center of an unexpected political controversy after posting a photo on social media on May 27, 2025 wearing a distinctive black and red windbreaker jacket featuring a large red number “2.”
The combination of the red color and the number “2” quickly drew attention because red is the representative color of the conservative People Power Party, and “2” was the ballot number assigned to its presidential candidate in that election cycle. This sparked widespread speculation online that Karina was implicitly signaling support for that candidate — a sensitive issue in a climate where public figures are expected to avoid overt political expression during election periods.
June
K-Pop Demon Hunters
'K-Pop Demon Hunters' quickly became one of the most influential entertainment phenomena of the year. It redefined the cultural reach of Korean pop culture and reshaped how the industry engages with global audiences. The animated musical film, which blends K-pop energy with supernatural action, set multiple records and generated far-reaching effects across music, streaming, tourism, and industry strategy.
Musically, its soundtrack — particularly the song “Golden” by the fictional girl group HUNTR/X — dominated charts around the world, topping the Billboard Global 200 and earning multiple Grammy and Golden Globe nominations. This marked a rare moment where a film soundtrack rivaled the commercial success of mainstream K-pop releases and helped spotlight animated features as credible music players in their own right.
Critically and culturally, the film was recognized as one of the breakthrough works of 2025, cited for its innovative fusion of storytelling, music, and Korean imagery that resonated with diverse global audiences and expanded the reach of Hallyu beyond traditional formats.
July
Former NCT member Taeil sentenced to 3.5 years in prison for aggravated rape
Former NCT member Taeil was sentenced to three and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to sexual assault charges involving an intoxicated victim — one of the year’s most serious legal scandals in K-pop.
Bang Si Hyuk sued by investors for fraudulent and unfair trading practices
Bang Si Hyuk has been accused of misleading early investors and venture capitalists by claiming that HYBE had no plans for an IPO, while secretly selling shares to a private equity fund (PEF) established by an associate. He is also alleged to have signed a contract to receive 30% of the capital gains from the share sale and failed to disclose this arrangement in HYBE’s securities filings. The profit-sharing amount Bang received from the PEF is said to be around 400 billion KRW (approx. 290 million USD).
In July, investors filed a lawsuit against Bang, prompting extensive investigations in the coming months. Moreover, the Financial Crimes Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency restricted Bang from leaving the country as part of its probe.
August
Son Heung Min parts ways with Tottenham Hotspur
Son Heung Min announced in August 2025 that he would leave Tottenham Hotspur after ten years with the club — a decision he described as “one of the most difficult” of his career. He announced at a press conference in Seoul, explaining he felt he had achieved everything he set out to do in North London and wanted a new challenge. Son completed a permanent transfer to MLS club Los Angeles FC (LAFC) later that summer, reportedly for a record MLS transfer fee of around 26 million USD.
September
ICE raid at the Hyundai-LG electric vehicle battery plant in Georgia
On September 4, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carried out a large-scale immigration raid at the Hyundai–LG electric vehicle battery plant construction site in Georgia, detaining hundreds of workers, many of whom were South Korean nationals. Authorities said the operation followed an investigation into visa violations, alleging workers were employed under visas that did not permit manual or long-term labor. Construction at the site was temporarily disrupted as detained workers were taken into immigration custody.
The raid quickly escalated into a diplomatic and economic controversy. South Korea’s government lodged formal protests and coordinated the repatriation of detained citizens, while Hyundai and LG faced scrutiny over labor compliance at one of their most important U.S. investment projects. The incident raised broader concerns about foreign investment risk, workforce mobility, and U.S. immigration enforcement, potentially complicating future Korean corporate expansion in the United States.
Super Junior's Siwon faces backlash for political social media post
Super Junior member Siwon faced significant fan backlash for public social-media comments expressing condolences for the controversial American activist Charlie Kirk. The incident sparked debate over idols’ engagement with politically charged content and the risks it poses for global fanbases.
October
Court rules ADOR's exclusive contract with NewJeans as valid
On October 30, the Seoul Central District Court ruled overwhelmingly in ADOR’s favor, confirming that the exclusive contracts between NewJeans and ADOR remain valid and must be honored until their original expiry (currently set for 2029). The court rejected NewJeans’ claims that ADOR’s dismissal of Min Hee Jin was sufficient grounds to void the contract, finding no actionable breach of obligations by the agency.
Following the verdict, ADOR released a statement reaffirming its legal and managerial position and expressing readiness to support the group’s future activities under the existing contract framework.
November
Veteran actor Lee Soon Jae's passing
Veteran actor Lee Soon Jae passed away in the early hours of November 25 KST at the age of 91. Leaving behind one of the longest and most influential legacies in Korean broadcasting and theater history, he remained an “eternal working actor” who continued performing until the very end.
He was an actor who proved his life through the stage—someone who acted longer than anyone else, and who left the stage later than anyone else. He had continued performing in the recent play ‘Waiting for Godot While Waiting’, but had to step away due to health issues. Though he vowed to return to the stage, he ultimately could not fulfill that promise.
To recognize the actor's contributions to the development of popular culture and the enhancement of cultural enjoyment for the public over more than half a century, the government posthumously awarded Lee Soon Jae with the highest Crown Order of Cultural Merit.
South Korea hosts APEC 2025
One of the notable international events involving South Korea in 2025 was its role as host of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. APEC brings together leaders from 21 Asia-Pacific economies, representing around 60 percent of global GDP, to discuss cooperation on trade, investment, and broader economic policy through non-binding agreements.
Hosting APEC 2025 placed South Korea in a position to facilitate dialogue at a time of ongoing global economic uncertainty and heightened regional tensions. The summit provided opportunities for bilateral and multilateral meetings among major economies, including the United States, China, Japan, and ASEAN members, while also allowing South Korea to present its perspectives on issues such as supply chains, digital trade, and energy transition.
December
Cho Jin Woong's Past Juvenile Offense Resurfaces
Veteran actor Cho Jin Woong saw his career abruptly end after revelations about juvenile offenses and allegations of assault on a junior colleague emerged, prompting his retirement and intense media discourse on how far past behavior should affect current reputation.
Park Na Rae's Power Abuse Controversy & "Injection Aunt" Scandal
Comedian Park Na Rae began facing intense public backlash when her former managers filed complaints accusing her of workplace abuse and related misconduct. This controversy spread to other sectors as new revelations came out about the comedian. She became the focal point of the “injection auntie” controversy, concerning suspected illegal cosmetic procedures and mistreatment allegations. The fallout spread across shows and involved other entertainers such as SHINee’s Key and YouTuber Haetnim the Short Mouth, disrupting end-of-year programming and production schedules.
Danielle parts ways with NewJeans
After long deliberation, it was announced that Danielle will not continue with the group. ADOR announced that it determined Danielle would be unable to move forward together as a NewJeans member and ADOR artist, and therefore notified her of the termination of her exclusive contract on the same day. The company added that it plans to pursue legal responsibility against one member of Danielle’s family and former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin, citing their significant responsibility in causing the dispute and contributing to NewJeans’ departure and delayed return.
2025 was another year full of incidents and controversies, with no quiet moments even in the entertainment industry. As 2025 draws to a close, South Korea’s entertainment industry emerges as one of the year’s biggest pressure points. What began as a series of individual scandals quickly snowballed into a full-scale reckoning, with lawsuits, contract wars, criminal cases, and resurfaced past controversies sending shockwaves through K-pop, film, television, and variety shows.
In the end, 2025 wasn’t defined by a single controversy, but by how frequently the spotlight turned unforgiving — and how quickly public sentiment shifted. If there are entertainment scandals or headline-making moments from 2025 that we missed, let us know in the comments below and join the conversation.
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