There are times when K-pop idols get caught up in situations that end up particularly upsetting fans. In the past, some artists were even boycotted by their fans. Here is a list of a few K-pop idols who have experienced it.
6 K-pop idols fans boycotted: SHINee Onew, more
SHINee Onew
(Photo: Twitter: @SHINee)
6 K-pop idols who have been boycotted by their fans
In August 2017, SHINee Onew was charged with sexually harassing a drunk woman at a club in Seoul’s Gangnam District. (He was cleared of all charges in April 2018).
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In November of the same year, SM Entertainment announced its plan to release the Seasonal Greetings of the company’s artists, including SHINee. However, SHAWOL (the SHINee fandom) decided to boycott the merchandise because Onew joined. Fans explained that the male idol did not apologize for what happened and remained silent.
Transactions are subject to a no-refund policy which made fans decide not to support SHINee Onew.
EXO Chen
(Photo: Facebook: EXO)
6 K-pop idols who have been boycotted by their fans
EXO Chen made a shocking statement in 2020 that he got married and became a father. While many fans showed their support for Chen, several Korean fans planned to boycott against him.
Some fans even opened new social media accounts and fan pages, and later created posts asking Chen to leave EXO. Their move didn’t have much effect, however, as SM Entertainment soon made a statement that Chen would remain a member of EXO.
Super Junior Sungmin and Kangin
(Photo: Instagram: @_liustudio_)
6 K-pop idols who have been boycotted by their fans
Super Junior members Sungmin and Kangin are also K-pop idols, boycotted by their own fans. But their situation is slightly different, as some ELFs once boycotted all the group’s activities and said it would only stop when Kangin and Sungmin were kicked out of the group.
READ MORE: 8 K-pop group leaders who aren’t the oldest members
(Image: News 1)
6 K-pop idols who have been boycotted by their fans
Fans protested over the controversy involving Sungmin and Kangin. Sungmin was set on fire for mishandling the announcement and trial of his marriage, while Kangin was criticized for multiple drunk driving as well as allegedly assaulting his girlfriend.
Kangin eventually left Super Junior in 2019 while Sungmin remains a member of the group but is currently still inactive.
Former Flying Kwangjin
(Photo: Instagram: @healthy_kkj)
6 K-pop idols who have been boycotted by their fans
In December 2018, Kwangjin (who is now a former N.Flying member) was boycotted by fans after he was accused of sexually assaulting fans, attitude, dating fan site masters and more. The numerous controversies caused fans to demand his removal from the group.
The boycott was triggered when one of the netizens created a post in an online community (which was removed) claiming that Kwangjin was dating fans, seducing them, sexually assaulting them, defaming those members and the company to fans, and stating that other girls were to go to brothels.
After that, more people started sharing their experiences of interacting with the former N.Flying member. The male idol eventually voluntarily left the group shortly after the controversy arose.
HOT Moon Hee Jun
(Image: News 1)
6 K-pop idols who have been boycotted by their fans
HOT Moon Hee Jun is another K-pop idol who has experienced a fan boycott. It happened in 2017, when fans were outraged at him for a number of reasons.
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Reasons include his alleged rude behavior towards fans, “lying” about his wedding not being a firearms marriage, being insincere, criticizing other HOT members, and selling illegal goods and avoiding taxes.
Do you know any other K-pop idols who have been boycotted by their own fans? Name them in the comment box below, along with the reason.
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With a script by Maria Scott
