While most idols are unable to bounce back from scandals and even end up leaving their groups and the entertainment industry, these idols were able to rise above it and continue their successful careers.
These K-Pop Idols Rose Above Their Scandals
1. TWICE's Tzuyu
Back in 2015, Tzuyu was caught in a scandal after she appeared on "My Little Television" holding the Korean flag and the Republic of China flag, which is the flag of Taiwan. As many know, Tzuyu is Taiwanese, and the show featured the group's foreign members. Momo, Sana, and Mina were seen holding the flag of Japan alongside the Korean flag.
Following the broadcast, Taiwanese and China based singer Huang An went to Weibo and accused Tzuyu of being a Taiwan independence activist and called her a traitor. The People's Republic of China (also known as Mainland China) consider Taiwan as a part of China despite how most Taiwanese consider them independent from them.
Soon after the scandal, JYP Entertainment shared a video of Tzuyu apologizing for her actions. In the apology, he stated that there is only one China and that she is proud of being Chinese. She said she felt sorry and guilty and would be hating all activities in China. However, this did not sit well with international and Taiwanese fans, as it appeared that the idol was forced to make the apology. Chinese netizens claimed her apology was insincere.
Despite how severe the backlash was, TWICE was still able to become a highly successful girl group worldwide, and has even been dubbed as the second "Nation's Girl Group." Tzuyu has also been highly successful, popular worldwide, and praised for her visuals numerous times. In December 2019, Tzuyu was named the most beautiful face of 2019.
2. 2PM's Nichkhun
Back in 2012, Nichkhun was caught driving under the influence and had caused a traffic accident. While driving, he had hit a man on a motorcycle. In photo of the incident, the man was seen lying on the floor with blood oozing from his head. The man was rushed to Seol Kunkuk University. The Gangnam Police Station had stated that he was not seriously injured.
Following the incident, Nichkhun had his lisence suspended. Both he and JYP Entertainment released apologies and Nichkhun went into hiatus to reflect. He came back less than a year later and remained a member of 2PM. He focused on an acting career and music career in Korea, Thailand, and China.
3. BIGBANG's G-Dragon
In 2011, G-Dragon was indicted on charges of smoking marijuana. Marijuana is an illegal substance in Korea. Korean society hates it so much; it was only legalized in 2018 for medicinal use.
He took a urine drug test, which came out negative. However, when he took a hair drug test, it showed signed of marijuana usage. G-Dragon confessed that he smoked marijuana in a club in Japan. He revealed that someone had offered him a cigarette in a club that he noticed smelled different, which led him to suspect marijuana. Despite his suspicion, he still smoked it. YG Entertainment confirmed the statement, saying that a fan had recognized him in the bathroom and had offered him the cigarette. He took it to be polite and took two or three puffs, but when he realized it was not a normal cigarette, he flushed the remainder down the toilet. They went on to apologize for his actions.
Charges were dropped against G-Dragon, noting that it was his first criminal offense and that the marijuana in his system was small. Later that year, G-Dragon was seen with BIGBANG at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Ireland, and though he received some backlash, he bounced back immediately and his popularity to this day is still high.
4. Shinhwa's Andy
In 2013, Shinhwa's Andy was found charged of illegally gambling on soccer matches. Following the news, Andy had to cancel all his activities and was banned from appearing on MBC, one of the biggest broadcasting companies in South Korea.
At the time, Shinhwa had a reality show with JTBC called "Shinhwa Broadcast". There, Andy and the other members of Shinhwa apologized for his actions. A year later, MBC lifted their ban on Andy and he was able to appear on MBC's broadcasts.
