[Trigger Warning/Content Warning: Mentions of Rape, Sexual Harassment, and Assault]
Probably one of the hardest things that could happen to a K-pop star is getting involved in false controversies as certain social media folks are quick to criticize without providing adequate facts and proof.
Such types of controversies have occurred many times and have and almost destroyed the professional career of some celebrities.
Here are a few K-pop idols whose careers have been almost wrecked by fake controversies.
UP10TION's KIM WOOSEOK
Around the end of 2016, several people on social media criticized Wooseok throughout a video of deliberately rubbing Somi's chest. For this incident, Wooseok started receiving massive backlash but it has been soon unveiled that Wooseok had not touched the chest of Somi at all.
YMC Entertainment, Somi's company at the time, also released an official statement after reviewing it with Somi.
"The shooting took place while the manager was monitoring and that there was no physical interaction like this after consulting with Somi, Wooshin, and the manager. Jeon Somi voiced concern and great shock over the making of such presumptions. Once more, we would really like to assert that the allegations made really aren't entirely accurate. We will indeed be extremely cautious not to concern fans again," the statement read.
An analysis has been carried out, and the findings show Wooseok really was innocent and blameless.
While Wooseok was proven innocent, some internet users still berated him for this and asked him to apologize. Most of this led to Wooseok taking a leave of absence from the operations of UP10TION, as this has also taken a toll on his mental health.
BLACKPINK's JENNIE
A lot of people sought to create a fake news story throughout her early days that Jennie had been a troublemaker during her student years. These rumblings did end up being groundless and were allegedly propagated by someone who had despised YG Entertainment artists.
Another fake rumor mill about Jennie was that she allegedly dated Teddy Park, one of the producers of YG Entertainment. These accusations also ended up becoming completely untrue and YG Entertainment even notified that the individual who spread the allegations would pursue legal action.
LOVELYZ's JISOO
In 2014, an internet user suspected Jisoo of grave issues, including sexual harassment, rape, and assault. Woollim Entertainment refuted these accusations and soon launched an investigation into the rumors created. Jisoo was quickly admitted to the hospital due to the number of stress and strain she faced. The netizen who shared Jisoo's speculations was charged and convicted of making false allegations in 2015.
NU'EST's BAEKHO
In 2017, an unverified individual online tried to accuse Baekho of sexual abuse. Pledis Entertainment refuted all those claims and started working to justify the innocence of Baekho.
Fans were not too pleased with the reports, and one of Baekho's fan advertisements was torn down. Baekho was found to be innocent after almost eight months of court battles.
IU
IU was accused of engaging in a real estate investment controversy in 2019. Although nothing has been verified, many people on social media happened to come out to condemn her for her behavior. IU's company soon released an official statement that IU was innocent and worked very hard to make sure it was justified.
"The assertions raised in regards to the building and bought land by IU were not entirely accurate. We are collecting data regarding different speculations and nasty remarks which are being disseminated online and proof sent by fans and will take strict legal proceedings against the spread of unsubstantiated stories and character defamation concerning our artist," her agency wrote.
The rumor was proved to be wrong, and several social media users ended up apologizing for IU for quickly making baseless assumptions.
