From racism backlash against BLACKPINK to Ju Haknyeon’s THE BOYZ exit, the biggest K-pop controversies of 2025

2025 has been a turbulent year for K-pop and Korean entertainment, marked by scandals ranging from legal crises and cultural backlash to violent criminal convictions and industry feuds. What started as the usual cycle of music releases and world tours turned into a storm of controversies that have kept fandoms and media buzzing all year.

From BLACKPINK, one of the biggest girl groups of all time, sparking backlash over racism in pre-debut videos, to NewJeans vs Ador's fiery legal battle, below are the most talked-about scandals that defined the K-pop landscape in 2025.



In April 2025, K‑pop rookies KISS OF LIFE faced backlash after a birthday livestream themed around “old‑school hip‑hop,” featuring cornrows, chains, and slang, was widely criticised as cultural appropriation. Fans accused the group of trivialising Black culture, sparking heated debates online. On April 3, S2 Entertainment issued an apology, removing the content and acknowledging its insensitivity. Members later posted handwritten apologies, promising to be more mindful in the future.



Despite apologies, the backlash continued. By mid‑May, KISS OF LIFE withdrew from KCON LA 2025, and the group experienced a noticeable decline in social media engagement, leading to widespread cancellation calls.



In one of the most serious controversies to hit the industry, former NCT member Taeil was sentenced to three and a half years in prison after pleading guilty in July 2025 to charges of special quasi-rape, for the sexual assault of an intoxicated Chinese tourist in Seoul.



The court convicted Taeil and two accomplices of a crime involving assault against a victim incapable of resistance, reflecting the severity of the offence and prompting his earlier departure from the group and contract termination by SM Entertainment in 2024.



Another major headline emerged when leaked clips from BLACKPINK members’ pre-debut days surfaced showing Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa using the N-word in informal settings in late March.



While no official apology was issued at the time, the resurfacing of these clips, especially around high-profile appearances like the 2025 Met Gala, reignited debates about racial sensitivity in K-pop and the responsibilities of global stars when engaging with diverse cultural events.


Perhaps the longest-running controversy of the year involved NewJeans and their agency ADOR. In late 2024, the group announced plans to leave ADOR and operate independently under the name NJZ, accusing the label of contract breaches. But in March 2025, a Seoul court granted ADOR exclusive rights to manage NewJeans, barring the group from independent activities.



In a surprising late-season twist, ADOR announced that all five members would return to the label following negotiations, effectively ending months of limbo and marking a major development in one of K-pop’s most watched management disputes.



Another major K‑pop scandal of 2025 involved THE BOYZ when member Ju Haknyeon abruptly exited the group amid a prostitution‑related controversy. In late May, photos and reports circulated showing Haknyeon with former Japanese adult film star Asuka Kirara during a late‑night outing in Tokyo, and some Korean media outlets later alleged he had solicited prostitution, claims he strongly denied, insisting he had simply attended a private gathering and never engaged in illegal activity.



On June 18, his label ONE HUNDRED terminated his contract and confirmed his removal from the group, citing a loss of trust. Haknyeon later issued a handwritten apology and launched legal action against media outlets for defamation, while the fallout sparked debate among fans about privacy, reputation, and how entertainment companies handle personal scandals.



In September 2025, Super Junior member Choi Siwon sparked major controversy after posting condolences for the death of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk on social media, including messages calling Kirk “a good and faithful servant” and mourning his passing as a tragic loss.

The tribute quickly drew criticism from many fans, who saw it as an implicit endorsement of Kirk’s polarising political views and insisted idols should avoid politically charged statements, especially given K‑pop’s global and diverse audience.



Siwon deleted the posts and explained on fan platform Bubble that his intention was to express empathy for a life lost rather than a political stance, saying he mourned Kirk as “a Christian, a family man and a husband” and felt his words were misunderstood. Despite that, hashtags like #SIWON_OUT trended as some fans called for him to leave Super Junior, and speculation about internal group tensions even arose after leader Leeteuk unfollowed him on social media during the controversy.



In October 2025, W Korea apologised after its annual “Love Your W” breast cancer awareness event drew heavy criticism for its tone-deaf execution. Attendees were seen partying and posing in revealing outfits, leading critics to question why an awareness campaign failed to meaningfully address breast cancer or donate substantial funds to the cause.



Rather than promoting awareness, the event was widely viewed as a superficial celebrity gathering that glossed over the serious issue it purported to support.

Despite a year filled with controversies, K-pop fans still have plenty to look forward to in 2025, including BTS and BLACKPINK comebacks, EXO’s highly anticipated return, and several new group debuts that promise to keep the music scene exciting.