In the Korean entertainment industry, celebrities involved in drug-related scandals often face intense public backlash, and most struggle to fully recover their careers or return to their previous peak of popularity.
Scandals involving illegal drugs are considered among the most serious controversies for South Korean stars.
Although the Korean entertainment industry offers artists enormous opportunities for success, it also places great pressure on them to maintain a clean public image.
Once celebrities become involved in controversies, especially those related to morality or the law, they can quickly face nationwide criticism, with careers collapsing almost overnight.
Fall from stardom due to drug scandals
Singer and actor Park Yoo Chun is considered one of the most iconic examples of a career destroyed by repeated scandals, including drug-related crimes.
He first rose to fame as a member of the legendary second-generation K-pop group TVXQ, once nicknamed the “Gods of the East.”
Even after being involved in a legal contract dispute with SM Entertainment, Park Yoo Chun successfully reinvented himself as an actor. Dramas like The Sungkyunkwan scandal, Miss RipleyAND Prince on the roof it turned him into one of Korea’s most sought-after stars.
However, his downfall began in 2016 when allegations of sexual assault surfaced. Four women have accused the star of sexual misconduct. Although Park Yoo Chun was eventually exonerated due to insufficient evidence, his public image suffered serious damage.
Then, in 2019, his career completely collapsed after he received a two-year suspended prison sentence for purchasing and using illegal drugs with his ex-girlfriend.
At the time, broadcaster MBC also banned Park Yoo Chun from appearing on television. The entertainer was effectively barred from activities in South Korea and later attempted to restart his career overseas.
Actor Ju Ji Hoon is another example of a celebrity who fell from grace almost instantly. He became one of Asia’s biggest stars after playing Crown Prince Lee Shin in the hit 2006 drama Princess Hours.
But in 2009, Ju Ji Hoon received a six-month prison sentence, suspended for one year, after being found guilty of drug use.
Due to the scandal, he lost his role in the Japanese project Tokyo Tower. Korean broadcaster KBS also banned him from appearing on its programs.
Years later, with the support of his agency led by actor Bae Yong Joon and through persistent efforts to rebuild his image, Ju Ji Hoon gradually returned to acting and restored his reputation.
Other artists such as TOP of BIGBANG and BI also faced great difficulties in resuming entertainment activities after their drug controversies.
The risks of celebrity scandals
In most cases involving Korean celebrities and scandals, the first visible consequence is that brands and advertisers quickly remove promotions and terminate endorsement contracts.
These actions are often considered necessary “risk management” measures, sometimes taken immediately after the allegations surfaced, even before the investigation was concluded.
For A-list celebrities with dozens of endorsement deals, the speed at which brands distance themselves often becomes big news.
When actor Yoo Ah In received a two-year suspended prison sentence for illegal drug use in 2025, Korean media described the case as one of the entertainment industry’s most notorious drug scandals.
The actor was accused of using prescription drugs containing controlled substances – including Propofol, Midazolam, Ketamine and Remimazolam – 181 times in just six months.
Major brands such as Musinsa, NEPA and I’m Vita reportedly removed advertisements featuring Yoo Ah In as soon as news of the investigation spread.
Also a lawyer predicted that Yoo Ah In may face more than 10 billion won in compensation claims related to breached advertising contracts.
The Korean film industry also suffered serious disruptions due to the actor’s scandal. At the time of the investigation, Yoo Ah In had already completed or was actively involved in several major productions.
Including films The match AND Hi-fiveas well as drama Goodbye Earththey faced long release delays due to the controversy surrounding their lead actor.
Yoo Ah In also lost his role Hellbound Season 2despite the huge success of the first season.
When The match was finally released, Producers reportedly avoided allowing Yoo Ah In to participate in promotional programs to minimize negative attention. The official trailer was also edited to reduce or remove scenes featuring the actor.
Sources: DL
