2024’s “Worst” Celebrities, According To K-Entertainment Industry Insiders

Korean content, across K-Pop, K-Dramas, K-Movies, and K-Food industries, all flourished in 2024, making it a golden age in Korean entertainment. But the entertainment industry also saw some unprecedented turmoil. A wave of incidents—including drunk driving, hit-and-runs, conflicts, and legal battles within entertainment agencies, as well as drug, infidelity, and sexual crime scandals—made headlines on the daily.

To mark its 20th anniversary, Korean press Joy News 24 surveyed 200 industry insiders, including employees from entertainment companies and broadcasting studios, film and TV content creators, and media reporters, asking, “Who was the worst figure in the entertainment business in 2024?”

The survey took place between September 30 to October 8, 2024.

6. Juice Seyeon & Seungri

Streamer Juice Seyeon and the disgraced idol-turned-criminal Seungri received two votes each, tied for #6 on the list.

Juice Seyeon (left) and Seungri | Netflix & Sports Khan

After being spotted in California with HYBE chairman Bang Si Hyuk, Juice Seyeon created some buzz over the type of content she creates on her streaming platform.

Netizens Disgusted By Problematic Videos Of Racy Influencer Spotted With Bang Si Hyuk

As for Seungri, his whereabouts and life after the “Burning Sun Scandal” remained in the spotlight after the BBC World Service’s investigative team, BBC Eye, released a powerful new documentary titled Burning Sun. A sighting of the disgraced idol at a club in Bali in August 2024 kept K-Pop fans outraged.

Disgraced Idol Filmed Attempting To Take Women Home From Club

5. Jung Joon Young & Yoo Ah In

Convicted rapist Jung Joon Young got 7 votes, tied at #5 alongside actor Yoo Ah In, whose drug scandal left Korea in utter shock.

Jung Joon Young (left) and Yoo Ah In (right) in 2018. | Chosun Ilbo

Jung Joon Young was released from his five-year sentence in March 2024, putting him back on the radar. But it was with the BBC documentary that his life after prison was highlighted. When, in August, he was spotted in Lyon, France  in hopes of opening a Korean restaurant there, backlash grew fierce.

“Burning Sun” Convicted Rapist Jung Joon Young Allegedly Reveals Future Career Plans

On the other hand, Yoo Ah In was detained after the court sentenced him to one year in prison on charges of propofol abuse. His drug addiction, first exposed in 2023, caused some significant setbacks for K-Drama and K-Movie productions.

Yoo Ah In Sentenced To One Year In Prison During First Trial

4. Kang Kyung Joon

Actor Kang Kyung Joon, now notorious for being a cheater who ran off with his mistress, took #4 on the list with 8 votes.

Actor Kang Kyung Joon | Sports Chosun

Kang kicked off 2024 with his scandal in January, when his adulterous text messages were revealed. By July, he admitted to having had an affair during his first court hearing.

Cheating Korean Actor Kang Kyung Joon And His Mistress Disappear, Even Their Companies Can’t Find Them

Since then, his wife and actress Jang Shin Young shared that she will not be getting a divorce; Instead, she appeared on a TV show and explained that she has forgiven her husband.

Beloved Actress Reveals Why She Forgave Her Cheating Husband Amid Scandalous Affair

3. Min Hee Jin

Former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin came in #3 on the list with 26 votes.

Former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin | tvN

Joy News 24 commented, “It appears that entertainment industry professionals are experiencing significant fatigue from the ongoing legal dispute between HYBE and Min, which has been ongoing since April.”

As of November 2024, Min Hee Jin was reappointed as ADOR’s in-house director, though fans suspect it is “a powerless role.”

Min Hee Jin Reappointed As ADOR’s Director But Netizens Suspect It Is A Powerless Role

2. Bang Si Hyuk

With 37 votes, HYBE’s chairman Bang Si Hyuk has been dubbed the second worst person in Korean entertainment in 2024.

HYBE chairman Bang Si Hyuk | Newsis

Given the recent revelations surrounding HYBE’s internal documents and its abominable content, fans remain hostile toward the silent chairman.

Bang Si Hyuk Urged To Step Down As HYBE Chairman By Furious Netizens After Recent Exposé

1. Kim Ho Joong

So, who was the worst figure in the entertainment business in 2024?

Singer Kim Ho Joong | Star Today

Singer Kim Ho Joong won the dishonor, with a whopping 50% of the votes, after his “manager’s” drunk-driving incident turned into a massive investigation. Kim eventually admitted that he was the one who drove the car, while the manager went the extra mile to cover up the crime.

Kim Ho Joong’s Manager Confesses To “Swallowing” The Evidence Of The Singer’s DUI Incident

As of September 30, the prosecution asked for a 3-year 6-month sentence. During the hearing, in his final statement, Kim Ho Joong stated, “I regret my choice that day” and swore to “sober up and live right.”

Industry professionals commented having been appalled by Kim Ho Joong’s conduct after the DUI. With scandals in the entertainment business, the standard approach is to explain the circumstances and apologize, often leading to a hiatus. So, insiders found it incomprehensible that Kim Ho Joong and his management handled the issue in such an unreasonable manner.