From Bang Si-hyuk to BTS' Suga: Industry insiders rank the "worst figures" of 2024 in recent survey

BTS' Min Yoongi aka SUGA, HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, and former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin ranked among others topped the worst figures of the 2024 survey by JoyNews24. The South Korean business magazine, JoyNews24, surveyed between September 30 and October 8, 2024, where 200 industry experts ranked the "worst" personalities of the year based on their controversies.

TRIGGER WARNING: This article mentions drug abuse, s*xual crimes, and DUI cases. Readers' discretion is advised.

The chart was topped by Trot singer Kim Ho-joong, who was charged with a hit-and-run DUI case in May 2024. Coming in second and third respectively on the list were HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, and former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin for their ongoing 'company take over' feud.

Kim Ho-joong received 100 out of the 200 votes, topping the survey, while Bang Si-hyuk received 37 votes and Min Hee-jin received 26 votes. Actor Kang Kyung-joon ranked No. 4, receiving 8 votes for his infidelity lawsuit. Ex-convict and former singer Jung Joon-young from the Burning Sun scandal received 7 votes and ranked No. 5.

South Korean actor Yoo Ah-in (Hell Bound) tied with Jung Joon-young with 7 votes for his ongoing drug abuse charges. BJ Gwajeok Seyeon received 2 votes for her controversy with Bang Si-hyuk tying at No. 6 with former BIGBANG member Seungri, who was jailed for the Burning Sun s*x trafficking scandal.

BTS' SUGA ranked at No. 7 for his electric scooter DUI case, tying with Gyeongseong Creature actress Han So-hee earning 1 vote each. Han So-hee was embroiled in a dating scandal with actor Ryu Jun-yeol in March 2024.

Rekka YouTuber Union, Ryu Jun-yeol, late Lee Sun-kyun's blackmailer (name withheld), Steve Yoo (Yoo Seung-jun), former HYBE CEO Park Ji-won, actor Hwang Jung-eum, actor Ryu Jun-yeol, and NCT's Taeil were also among the individuals who tied for the 7th position on the list.

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Bang Si-hyuk, BTS' SUGA, Moon Taeil, and more scandals

Former NCT member Moon Taeil was accused of s*xual assault and gang r*pe in July 2024. Al Jazeera reported that in August 2024, SM Entertainment removed him from NCT and terminated his contract. On October 7, Chosun Ilbo reported he was charged with special quasi-r*pe.

BTS' SUGA was charged for drunk driving an electric kickboard/scooter on August 6, 2024. Reuters reported that SUGA was later fined $11,500 and got his license temporarily suspended. There was a global uproar after JTBC was exposed for airing a fake CCTV clip, defaming SUGA for drunk driving a motorized scooter.

Gyeongseong Creature actress Han So-hee got embroiled in a dating scandal with actor Ryu Jun-yeol (Reply 1988) when the duo were spotted vacationing together in Hawaii. Ryu Jun-yeol's ex-girlfriend and actress Lee Hyeri reportedly engaged in an online spat with Han So-hee which escalated the matter in March 2024.

Bang Si-hyuk was spotted with BJ Gwajeok Seyeon aka BJ JuiceSeyeon at Beverly Hills in August 2024. K-en News reported that BJ JuiceSeyeon addressed the controversy on a livestream stating that she met with the HYBE chairman for a business agenda. Nevertheless, the controversy invited public backlash for both.

Hell Bound actor Yoo Ah-in (real name is Um Hong-sik) was sentenced to one year imprisonment on September 3, 2024, for drug abuse—using & possession of marijuana. The Korea Times reported that he was also fined 2 million won (approximately $1,490) for violating Korea's Narcotics Control Act.