[Trigger Warning/Content Warning: Mentions of death, self-harm and suicide.]
There has been a range of losses and controversies in the K-pop world over the years, some of which even are completely tragic.
Below are a few of the saddest moments in the history of K-pop, which might be unbeknownst to newer fans.
EPIK HIGH Tablo's Stanford Controversy
In 2010, the university degree of the singer was rumored to be fraudulent, which initiated a spiral of allegations on other fraudulent diplomas. Then, all the attention turned to Tablo.
Since Tablo said that he'd finished both his bachelor's and master's from Stanford, one of the world's most prominent educational institutions, many individuals just couldn't believe it and started demanding that him to tell the whole truth.
They established a forum, called Tajinyo, saying, "We are demanding the truth from Tablo," and started harassing him. His professional life was in a state of total disarray due to the harassment at the time, and he had to part ways from his then label Woollim Entertainment (which turned its back on him), his mother and brother lost their jobs, and his virulent attackers even threatened to murder his entire family.
It ended up having Stanford and his former schoolmates to even get involved to prove to the public he's an alumnus of the pretigious university, though there were still a few other people who refuse to accept this fact for whatever reason.
Upon digging deeper, they found out that the leading attacker was a 57-year-old guy named Eung Kim.
In his talk at a Stanford event, Tablo said, "Honestly, I'm damaged. And I don't know if I'll ever be better."
Ladies Code's Fatal Car Accident
On September 2014, the group was on their way home after recording for the KBS "Open Concert" at DGIST. Their manager was the one driving the van and was reportedly speeding. Due to to the rainpour, roads were slippery, causing the manager to lose control of the van and crashing it to a protective wall.
EunB, sadly, was dead on arrival, while RiSe passed away four days later.
In 2020, current Ladies' Code members Ashley, Sojung and Zuny left Polaris Entertainment after their contract expired. They are now pursuing solo activities.
2PM Junho's Acrobatics Accident
In 2013, Junho knew he wanted to practice acrobatics professionally but fell during one training catastrophe. Junho dropped from two meters, and for about two minutes, he was unconscious.
He managed to land on his left arm as he dropped and ripped his cartilage. Doctors also discovered that when he was brought to the hospital, he also had fractured his spine.
The band was about to stage a live performance the next day and Junho wanted to sing for his fans in a wheelchair with the band.
Everyone was concerned that the injuries would imply he will never be able to dance with the band ever again, but luckily, he recovered.
TVXQ Yunho's Poisoning Incident
This frightening incident caused by the idol's haters in 2006 demonstrates that they could go to extreme ends to prove their resentment for particular celebrities.
A fan had started coming up to him at the time of the attack and gave him a drink. He started drinking the bottle in one shot out of habit and fell unconscious shortly after that.
He later discovered that the beverage contained super glue, and he had to pump his stomach.
The incident caused him to grow an anxiety disorder that he was subsequently cured for and even managed to make him consider abandoning the music business. But in the end, he stayed.
SHINee Jonghyun's Passing
In 2017, SHINee member Jonghyun was found unconscious at a hotel in Seoul. He reportedly took his own life by carbon monoxide poisoning.
Through a self-written farewell letter, Jonghyun revealed his struggles with his depression, saying, "I am broken from inside. The depression that had been slowly eating me up finally devoured me and I couldn't defeat it."
A year after his death, his final album "Poet|Artist" was unveiled, and the profits were utilized to establish a charity foundation, "The Shiny Foundation," by his family to assist struggling young artists.
READ ALSO: K-Pop Fandoms That Experienced The Most Heartbreaking Moments With Their Favorite Groups
KpopStarz owns this article.
