Cycle of controversy: Korea’s top stars faced probes, exits and burnout in 2025

What was supposed to be a year of recovery and celebration in Korean entertainment instead turned into a cycle of controversy, investigations and shock revelations. From legal battles and social scandals to emotional health scares and sudden career collapses, 2025 became a year where the industry’s biggest names repeatedly made headlines — often for the wrong reasons. Korean entertainment is no stranger to drama, but this year felt different. Online communities and social platforms buzzed nonstop as allegations led to police investigations, controversies triggered program exits, and past incidents resurfaced, amplifying public fatigue and debate. Courtrooms, investigations dominate celebrity news If one word defined the year, it was “courtroom.” Legal disputes and prosecutorial probes overshadowed ordinary entertainment coverage, turning daily celebrity news into what many Koreans described as “case files.” Actress Hwang Jung-eum was indicted without detention on charges of corporate fund embezzlement, sending shockwaves through the industry. Former T-ara member Ahreum receiv