K-pop idols spend months to several years training to make their debut. However, some of their careers can end in a blink of an eye when they become entangled in controversies and scandals. While many ended up withdrawing from their group due to past issues, others were forced to take a hiatus from group and solo activities.

With that, here are K-pop idols who were told to leave their group due to scandals at some point in their career.

1. EXO Chen

Since Chen's debut with EXO back in 2012, he has been well-loved by fans for not only his talents but also his personality. So when he suddenly announced that he was getting married and having a child back in 2020, numerous fans didn't take too kindly to the news.

As a result, fans demanded that Chen issue an apology for his "betrayal." Some even went as far as to protest outside of COEX and demand that he leave EXO. Fortunately, Chen did not leave the group, although he has yet to participate in EXO's activities.

2. Red Velvet Irene

Back in 2020, Irene received backlash after she was accused of mistreating and abusing her status by a fashion editor. The Red Velvet member later admitted to the accusations and apologized for her wrongdoings. The revelation of her actions also sparked discussion on the "gapjil" culture in Korea, which is when people in power abuse or bully people they deem below them. Irene ended up receiving countless criticisms and calls for withdrawal.

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However, many staff members also stepped up to defend the idol and voice their opinion on working with Irene, whom they praised. Irene ended up personally meeting with the fashion editor, where she apologized and made amends. But despite that, Irene ended up taking a hiatus for nearly a year until Red Velvet's comeback in August 2021.

3. NCT Lucas

In August 2021, NCT member Lucas was accused of many things, including gaslighting, cheating, and taking advantage of his ex-girlfriends' money and his fans. Lucas ended up admitting to his behavior, which caused outrage and disappointment among fans. He later issued an apology and subsequently announced his hiatus.

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Since his scandal broke out, Lucas remains under the radar and has yet to return to promoting with the group. But he once again made his presence known after sharing one photo on his social media back in February 2022. However, fans and netizens continue to demand Lucas' withdrawal from NCT, even trending "#Lucas_Out" from time to time.

4. EXO Chanyeol

In 2020, Chanyeol was also wrapped up in a scandal after an ex-girlfriend accused the EXO member of repeatedly cheating on her for the three years they were together. The alleged ex-girlfriend even shared photos of her with supposedly Chanyeol. However, fans were left in anger after SM Entertainment and Chanyeol remained silent regarding the accusations up until now. Due to this, fans set up protests and demanded that Chanyeol leave EXO.

Chanyeol took time off from social media, but returned months later in early 2021 after sharing a letter to express his feelings, while avoiding talking about the scandal directly. SM Entertainment also took legal actions against the accuser, and Chanyeol returned to his activities in June 2021.

5. Kim Garam

Even before Kim Garam made her debut with LE SSERAFIM, the rookie idol was already entangled in a school bullying scandal after being accused as a perpetrator. However, HYBE and Source Music denied the claims and pushed through with her debut. But not long after Kim Garam officially debuted, she was again plagued with heavy backlash after more alleged evidence and victims of her school bullying past were shared.

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Fans and netizens had already called for the removal of Kim Garam even before she debuted, but her company continued to deny the claims and even took legal action. But due to the public condemnation, Kim Garam was forced to take a hiatus just days after. On July 20, HYBE and Source Music officially terminated her contract.

6. Soojin

In 2021, a netizen claiming to be Soojin's former classmate accused the idol of bullying. They claimed she was a school thug who smoked, drank underage, and hung with the wrong crowd. Initially taking a hiatus, the allegations became more drastic after actress Seo Shin Ae alluded to being one of Soojin's victims.

In August 2021, Soojin left (G)I-DLE following massive hate trains that petitioned for her removal. She left CUBE Entertainment in March 2022. That same year, it was discovered the school's Autonomous Committee for School Violence Countermeasures found her not guilty and, in fact, she had been the victim of bullying.

7. RIIZE Seunghan

RIIZE debuted in 2023 and Seunghan quickly garnered attention for his visuals. However, excitement turned to contempt after previous actions he did pre-debut were brought into light.

In August 2023, photos of him kissing his ex-girlfriend, as well as photos of them in a hotel, were leaked online. Some believed the girlfriend was underage, but this was never confirmed. Soon, images and videos of Seunghan smoking were also leaked.

On top of that, someone claiming to be ex-friends with Seunghan claimed that he was discriminatory to other trainees and engaged with female trainees from other agencies. A video of Seunghan allegedly bad mouthing LE SSERAFIM member Eunchae in a private live stream with TXT Soobin also earned him backlash.

Since November 22, 2023, Seunghan has been on an indefinite hiatus from RIIZE activities. SM Entertainment has stated they will submit a complaint to the police and will take legal action against those spreading misinformation with malicious intent.

8. Heochan

Heochan left VICTON in October 2022. This came after the idol received massive backlash for drunk driving.

On September 20, VICTON's agency confirmed Heochan was caught drunk driving. Following his DUI, his license was canceled and he was puit on hiatus. Heochan shared an apology on Instagram, saying he repents his actions and will reflect on what he had done.

However, the hate proved too difficult to overcome. On October 11, Heochan left VICTON, with the agency stating he did not want to cause further damage to the group.

9. Ravn

In October 2022, former ONEUS member was accused of cheating and gaslighting his girlfriend. His ex-girlfriend took to social media to accuse the idol of raping and cheating on her several times. She made her post after Ravn broke up with her, claiming his Korean girlfriend forced him to.

The ex-girlfriend, who is Japanese, claimed he was two-timing with a girlfriend in Korea that he began dating in 2020 at the same time. The Japanese girlfriend allegedly moved to Korea to end their long-distance relationship, but Ravn would use her house as a hotel, make her pay for everything, and would drink and hook up with other girls.

Following the allegations, former fans exposed the idol begging his supporters to buy him expensive gifts. All of these accusations spurred a massive hate train against the idol, with many saying his actions were despicable. 

RBW initially announced they would look into the allegations and that Ravn would be suspending his activities. Soon after, RBW announced Ravn left ONEUS on his own volition, saying he did not want to cause more trouble for his group.

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Written by Robyn Joan