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 former peak popularity.
Scandals involving illegal drugs are considered among the most serious controversies for South Korean stars.
Although Korea’s entertainment industry provides artists with enormous opportunities to succeed, it also places heavy 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.
Falling From Stardom Due to Drug Scandals
Singer and actor Park Yoo Chun is considered one of the most representative examples of a career destroyed by repeated scandals, including drug-related crimes.
He first rose to fame as a member of legendary second-generation K-pop group TVXQ, once nicknamed the “Gods of the East.”
Even after becoming involved in a legal contract dispute with SM Entertainment, Park Yoo Chun successfully reinvented himself as an actor. Dramas such as Sungkyunkwan Scandal, Miss Ripley, and Rooftop Prince turned him into one of Korea’s most sought-after stars.
However, his downfall began in 2016 when sexual assault allegations surfaced. Four women accused the star of sexual misconduct. Although Park Yoo Chun was ultimately cleared due to insufficient evidence, his public image suffered severe damage.
Then, in 2019, his career completely collapsed after he received a suspended two-year prison sentence for purchasing and using illegal drugs alongside his former fiancée.
At the time, broadcaster MBC also banned Park Yoo Chun from appearing on television. The entertainer was effectively shut out 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 a major Asian star 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 convicted of drug use.
As a result of 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 support from 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 T.O.P of BIGBANG and B.I also faced major difficulties resuming entertainment activities after their own drug controversies.
The Risks of Celebrity Scandals
In most cases involving Korean celebrities and scandals, the first visible consequence is brands and advertisers quickly removing promotions and terminating endorsement contracts.
These actions are often viewed as necessary “risk management” measures, sometimes happening immediately after allegations surface, even before investigations conclude.
For top-tier celebrities with dozens of endorsement deals, the speed at which brands distance themselves often becomes a major news story itself.
When actor Yoo Ah In received a suspended two-year prison sentence in 2025 over illegal drug use, 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 within 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 broke.
One lawyer even predicted that Yoo Ah In could face over 10 billion won in compensation claims related to breached advertising contracts.
The Korean film industry also suffered major disruption because of the actor’s scandal. At the time of the investigation, Yoo Ah In had already completed or was actively involved in several major productions.
Films including The Match and Hi-Five, as well as the drama Goodbye Earth, faced long release delays due to the controversy surrounding their lead actor.
Yoo Ah In also lost his role in Hellbound Season 2, despite the huge success of the first season.
When The Match was finally released, producers reportedly avoided allowing Yoo Ah In to participate in promotional schedules to minimize negative attention. Even the official trailer was edited to reduce or remove scenes featuring the actor.
Sources: LD