The worst figures of 2024 picked by 200 industry insiders

AKP STAFF

www.joynews24.com

While Korean content like K-pop, K-dramas, K-beauty, and K-food has entered a golden era, the entertainment industry in 2024 has been more turbulent than ever. Incidents involving drunk driving, hit-and-runs, conflicts and legal battles within entertainment agencies, drug use, infidelity, and sex crimes have surfaced nonstop. Industry insiders are the ones who have witnessed this chaos up close. Who, in their opinion, was the worst figure in the entertainment world in 2024?

To mark its 20th anniversary, the entertainment and business magazine 'JoyNews24' conducted various polls with industry experts from September 30 to October 8. A total of 200 industry insiders, including entertainment company employees, broadcast company staff, content creators, and entertainment reporters, participated and were asked to choose the worst figures of 2024.

So here are the results:

Kim Ho Joong's DUI Hit-and-Run

Trot singer Kim Ho Joong, involved in a notorious drunk driving hit-and-run incident and even suspected of attempting to cover it up, has been selected as the “Worst Figure of the Year.” Out of 200 industry insiders surveyed, an overwhelming 100 mentioned Kim Ho Joong, putting him firmly in first place by a significant margin.

On the night of May 9, Kim Ho Joong was driving a car in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam, Seoul, when he crashed into an oncoming taxi and fled the scene. At the time, his manager, dressed in Kim’s clothes, confessed to the drunk driving on his behalf. Kim Ho Joong reportedly ignored police calls until he appeared 17 hours later, denying that he had been driving under the influence.

Following the incident, surveillance footage and other evidence revealed Kim Ho Joong's involvement in drunk driving. On May 19, ten days after the accident, he admitted to the offense and was subsequently arrested in June.

Not only that, but during the investigation, it was discovered that the head of Kim's agency attempted to destroy evidence by swallowing the vehicle's black box memory card. This led to the agency announcing the resignation of all executives and staff, a change in CEO, and offering to terminate contracts with their artists without any conditions, effectively leading to the agency's closure.

HYBE CEO Bang Si Hyuk and former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin rank 2nd and 3rd, respectively.

Following Kim Ho Joong, HYBE Chairman Bang Si Hyuk and former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin received 37 and 26 votes, respectively, ranking second and third. This suggests that entertainment industry professionals are experiencing significant fatigue due to the ongoing legal disputes between HYBE and Min Hee Jin since April.

Chairman Bang Si Hyuk has remained silent on the matter, avoiding public statements. Additionally, his private life involving former AfreecaTV BJ Juicy Seyeon has surfaced, further impacting his image. The public's disappointment grew when internal documents revealed derogatory remarks about artists from other agencies, yet Bang Si Hyuk did not address the situation, opting to stay behind the scenes. Consequently, he received 37 votes, placing him second as the "worst figure."

In Min Hee Jin's case, while many are weary of her conflict with HYBE, her direct and unreserved approach has garnered public attention. Notably, her first press conference in April contained unprecedented revelations, which some believe shifted public opinion and exposed aspects of HYBE and Chairman Bang Si Hyuk previously unseen.

Kang Kyung Joon for his affair, Jung Joon Young, Yoo Ah In, Juicy Seyeon, and Seungri make the list

Actor Kang Kyung Joon, entangled in an affair and subsequent lawsuit, received 8 votes, ranking fourth. Known for his family-oriented image through various family-themed shows with his wife, Jang Shin Young, the scandal shocked the public. Although they have reconciled and continue to live together, regaining previous support seems challenging.

Following closely, singer Jung Joon Young, infamous for his involvement in the Burning Sun scandal, received 7 votes. Reports of him approaching women in a French club post-release have drawn criticism from industry insiders. Actor Yoo Ah In, currently facing trial over drug-related issues, also garnered 7 votes, tying with Jung Joon Young.

BJ Juicy Seyeon, entangled in personal controversies after being spotted with Bang Si Hyuk in LA and appearing on "The Influencer," and Seungri, former member of Big Bang, who continues to perform in Southeast Asia, each received 2 votes.

Others receiving single votes include the YouTuber group that harassed Tzuyang, KBS for controversies during Liberation Day, an entertainment establishment manager who blackmailed actor Lee Sun Kyun, actress Han So Hee, BTS's SUGA, Steve Yoo (Yoo Seung Jun), former HYBE CEO Park Ji Won, actress Hwang Jung Eum, actor Ryu Jun Yeol, NCT's Taeil, and actor Lee Sun Kyun.