
The K-pop industry is facing one of its darkest chapters as several prominent idols have been convicted or accused of serious sex crimes, leading to public outrage and deep introspection within the fandom.
NCT Taeil
The most recent case involves Taeil, a former member of NCT, who was indicted on charges of aggravated rape involving an intoxicated victim.
According to the Seoul Central District Court, Taeil and two acquaintances met the victim in Itaewon, forcibly took her to a residence, and collectively assaulted her while she was unconscious. Taeil admitted guilt at the first trial, with the prosecution seeking a seven-year prison sentence, in addition to sex offender registration and employment restrictions.

Taeil’s case sent shockwaves through the K-pop community not only because of the heinous nature of the crime but also because he appeared cheerful on a birthday livestream just hours after the incident took place prompting netizens to express outrage over his lack of remorse.
Unfortunately, Taeil is not the only idol implicated in such crimes.
EXO’s Kris

Former EXO member Kris Wu was sentenced to 13 years in prison in China for multiple counts of rape and group indecency involving underage and intoxicated victims. Upon completing his sentence, Kris, a Canadian citizen, is expected to be deported, with some speculation that he may face chemical castration under Canadian law a measure applied to certain convicted sex offenders.
B.A.P Himchan

Another notorious case is that of Himchan, a former B.A.P member, who has faced multiple sexual assault charges. From groping women in public to sexually assaulting a female fan and filming the act without consent, Himchan was sentenced to three years in prison, suspended for five years.
F.T.Island Choi Jong-hoon
F.T. Island’s Choi Jong Hoon was also convicted in connection to the infamous Burning Sun scandal, receiving a 2.5-year prison sentence for gang rape and illegal filming. His involvement in the “Jung Joon-young chatroom” further deepened the scandal’s impact on public trust in male idols.

These crimes have led to renewed calls for accountability and structural reform in the Korean entertainment industry. Fans and critics alike demand stricter oversight, transparency, and swifter consequences when stars engage in criminal behavior.
As the K-pop wave continues to influence global audiences, these shocking incidents serve as grim reminders that stardom does not place anyone above the law.