Cancel Culture in Japan and Korea: A Deep Dive – episode 3

In Episode 2 we explored how unrelenting pressure, toxic fandoms and agency control can end in tragedy. In this post, we turn to the other side of that coin: scandals and cancel culture. In Japan and Korea, a whisper of misconduct can ruin decades of work. What counts as a scandal? Why do some survive whereas others vanish? And when does accountability morph into a witch hunt?

What is Cancel Culture?

According to Merriam‑Webster, cancel culture is “the practice or tendency of engaging in mass cancelling … as a way of expressing disapproval and exerting social pressure”. Britannica further notes that the term (also known as call‑out culture) refers to the removal of support for individuals or groups “due to an opinion or action … deemed objectionable” and is typically orchestrated through social media. In practice, this can involve boycotting a celebrity, company or public figure, pressuring venues to drop them, or shunning them online, all in response to perceived wrongdoing

The Politics of Purity and Reputation

In both countries, entertainers are expected to project moral perfection. Unlike in the West, where a public apology often marks the end of a controversy, Japanese and Korean idols must maintain an almost mythical aura of innocence. Fans demand idols be “pure” — polite, single, sober, apolitical — and agencies enforce that image with iron‑clad contracts. Crossing these unwritten lines triggers an immediate backlash.

Japan: Morality Clauses and #MeToo Reckonings

Minami Minegishi’s Tearful Apology (2013)

In one of Japan’s most notorious scandals, Minami Minegishi of AKB48 was photographed leaving her boyfriend’s apartment. Dating is forbidden for idols, so she shaved her head, recorded a tearful four‑minute apology and was demoted to trainee status. Her “crime” was spending a night with a boyfriend; the punishment illustrates how Japanese idols must atone publicly for private choices.

Hiroki Narimiya cocaine allegation (2016)

In December 2016 the weekly magazine Friday published photos implying that actor Hiroki Narimiya had used cocaine. Although police later said they could not confirm drug use, Narimiya announced his retirement, saying he had been “betrayed” and trapped. The rapid career collapse shows how unverified allegations can trigger moral‑clause penalties and force entertainers out of the industry.

Shiori Ito and media silence (2017‑2025)

Journalist Shiori Ito, who won a civil case after accusing a TV reporter of rape, criticized Japanese media in 2025 for downplaying sexual violence and euphemizing assault as mere “trouble.” Ito noted that survivors who go public are often trolled and ostracized, and she sees the Fuji TV scandal as a litmus test for the country’s willingness to address abuse

Johnny Kitagawa Abuse Scandal (2019–2023)

Decades of abuse allegations against Johnny Kitagawa — the powerful founder of Johnny’s & Associates, Japan’s largest boy‑band empire — exploded in 2023. Survivors accused him of sexually abusing teenage trainees. Japanese media long ignored the story, but after public pressure, major advertisers began dropping Johnny’s artists. According to Nippon.com, by September 13 2023 six companies had cancelled contracts and ten more planned not to renew because they “could not accept abuse or harassment”. It was a rare example of cancel culture being used to demand accountability for systemic abuse, and it forced the agency to apologize and reorganize.

Kento Nagayama drug case (2023‑2024)

Actor Kento Nagayama was arrested in June 2023 for possessing about 1.6 grams of dried cannabis. After pleading guilty, he withdrew from the prime‑time historical drama Hikaru Kimi E slated for 2024—a consequence of strict moral‑clause provisions that allow agencies and broadcasters to cut ties immediately when stars are linked to drugs.

Fuji TV/Nakai Masahiro Scandal (2024–2025)

Another milestone came when Nakai Masahiro, former leader of the boy band SMAP, was accused of sexually assaulting a female announcer. Tabloids first reported the story on December 19 2024 and December 25 2024. A third‑party commission concluded on March 31 2025 that Nakai had assaulted the woman and that Fuji Television management had facilitated. Public reaction was swift: advertisers withdrew sponsorships and social media erupted. Within days, Fuji TV cut ties with Nakai and long‑time president Hieda Hisashi resigned. For many, this scandal symbolised a Japanese #MeToo moment — but it also revealed the limits of accountability, as some fans still blamed the victim and lamented the fall of a beloved star.

Korea: Precision Cancelling & Moral Policing

South Korean fandom culture is both empowering and punishing. Fans spend enormous time and money to support idols, but they also police their behaviour, sometimes mobilising to destroy a career.

Kim Soo‑hyun & Kim Sae‑ron (2025)

In early 2025, actress Kim Sae‑ron died by suicide after years of online harassment over a 2022 DUI. Her death reignited accusations that actor Kim Soo‑hyun had dated her when she was underage. At a tearful press conference in April 2025, Kim Soo‑hyun denied any underage relationship. Despite the lack of proof, social‑media mobs condemned him and demanded his expulsion from projects. This case shows how quickly allegations can snowball in South Korea’s digital court of opinion.

Seungri and the Burning Sun Scandal (2019–2023)

Former Big Bang member Seungri was implicated in the Burning Sun scandal, involving prostitution, embezzlement and drug trafficking. In 2021 he was sentenced to three years in prison but was released on parole after serving 18 months. He now runs a business in Gangnam. The contrast between his quick return to prosperity and the harsher treatment of female idols underscores a gendered double standard.

Lee Sun‑kyun (2023)

Academy‑Award‑winning actor Lee Sun‑kyun (best known from Parasite) was investigated for drug use in late 2023. He tested negative yet was questioned for over nineteen hours and suspended from projects. Shortly thereafter he was found dead in his car. His death, like Kim Sae‑ron’s, reignited debate about whether relentless media scrutiny and legal pressure drive entertainers to despair.

Everyday “Scandals”

South Korean cancel culture doesn’t stop at serious allegations. Idols have been publicly shamed for smoking in public, drinking, or dating. In 2025, netizens criticized BTS members Jungkook and V, actors Han So‑hee and Ji Chang‑wook, and others simply for smoking. BTS rapper Suga apologized twice for falling off a scooter near his home, yet social media still called for him to be expelled from the group. Such overreactions illustrate how “precision cancelling” can target even mundane behavior.

When Cancel Culture Becomes Defamation

Fans and tabloids sometimes weaponize cancel culture for personal or commercial gain. Unverified rumors spread quickly, and the resulting mob justice can ruin careers regardless of the truth. Some entertainers turn to defamation lawsuits, but pursuing legal action often inflames the backlash and can be financially risky. In 2021 actor Kim Seon‑ho was accused of pressuring his ex‑girlfriend to have an abortion; he lost endorsements and was removed from film roles. Months later his accuser admitted to fabricating parts of the story, but his career has only slowly recovered.

Both Japan and Korea now have laws to combat online defamation, yet enforcement is inconsistent. The South Korean government proposed the “Sulli Act” in 2019 to curb cyberbullying after singer Sulli’s death, and Seoul courts have begun awarding damages in some cases. However, agencies still prioritise image over truth, often dropping talent at the first hint of scandal.

Cancel Culture vs. Accountability

Cancel culture can serve a legitimate function: survivors of abuse deserve justice, and the MeToo movement has forced powerful men to account for their actions. The Johnny Kitagawa and Fuji TV scandals exposed systemic exploitation that had long been hidden. But there is a fine line between accountability and mob punishment. When unproven allegations lead to blacklisting or self‑harm, and when minor infractions provoke death threats, the system fails everyone.

Toward a Healthier Industry

The path forward requires several shifts:

• Legal reforms and enforcement. Stronger protections against cyberbullying and false rumours are needed. Japan’s entertainment unions are slowly forming, and South Korea has begun discussing mandatory counselling for trainees.
• Agency accountability. Companies must support artists with mental‑health resources, fair contracts and due‑process policies rather than abandoning them at the first sign of trouble.
• Fan responsibility. Fans hold immense power. Supporting idols means respecting their privacy, avoiding online harassment, and distinguishing between facts and gossip.
• Media ethics. Journalists should investigate before reporting and resist sensationalism. Tabloids thrive on scandal, but responsible reporting can save lives.
• Resist exploitation of grief. After a celebrity dies, some companies and online personalities try to capitalize on fans’ sorrow by reviving cancelled projects or peddling sensational “insider” stories. When the production team behind Kim Sae‑ron’s shelved drama Everyday We Are announced a posthumous broadcast just days after her death, outraged netizens accused them of “making money out of her death” and pledged to boycott the show. Similarly, the operator of the YouTube gossip channel Sojang made roughly ₩250 million KRW by fabricating scandals about K‑pop stars; agencies such as BigHit Music and KQ Entertainment sued her for defamation, noting that she “spread and reproduced false facts” for profit and “deceived fans” with malicious videos. Fans should be wary of such tactics and refuse to support media that exploits tragedy or uses lies to extract money.

Coming Up Next

In Episode 4 we’ll explore Defamation & Social‑Media Witch Hunts—how false rumors, anonymous posts and click‑bait headlines ruin lives, and what legal remedies (if any) are available. We’ll look at high‑profile defamation cases and the evolving laws in Japan and Korea.

Discussion Prompt: Have you ever changed your view of a celebrity because of an online scandal? What do you think is the difference between holding someone accountable and joining a cancel mob?

Here is a list of the principal sources used in Episode 3:

• Unseen Japan – Reporting on the Fuji TV/Nakai Masahiro scandal and its aftermath, noting that a commission confirmed the assault and advertisers rapidly withdrew sponsorships unseen-japan.com.
• Euronews – Coverage of the same scandal and Japan’s broader #MeToo reckoning, including the Johnny’s sexual‑abuse case; the article documents how major companies stopped working with the network euronews.com.
• The Guardian – Article describing how more than 70 firms halted advertisements on Fuji TV after Nakai’s misconduct came to light and discussing the cultural shift this represents theguardian.com.
• France 24 – Interview with journalist Shiori Ito criticising Japanese media for downplaying sexual violence; Ito explains that survivors who speak up are often harassed france24.com.
• The Straits Times – Report on actor Kento Nagayama’s marijuana possession case; after pleading guilty, he withdrew from a prime‑time drama under strict moral clauses straitstimes.com.
• Tokyo Reporter – Coverage of actor Hiroki Narimiya’s retirement after a magazine alleged he used cocaine; police later said they could not confirm the accusation tokyoreporter.com.
• Sinar Daily – Article on the backlash when producers attempted to air Kim Sae‑ron’s cancelled drama after her death; fans accused them of exploiting her tragedy for profit sinardaily.my
• Koreaboo – Report on the YouTuber Sojang, who fabricated scandals about K‑pop stars and profited from them, prompting defamation suits koreaboo.com
• NDTV – Feature on cancel culture, pressure and mental‑health crises in South Korea; it lists several celebrity suicides and notes that Korea has one of the highest suicide rates in the OECD ndtv.comndtv.com.
• The Guardian – News of ASTRO member Moonbin’s death in April 2023, with his label urging fans not to speculatetheguardian.com.
• The Independent – Coverage of the rumour‑fuelled attacks on actor Kim Soo‑hyun following Kim Sae‑ron’s suicide, illustrating the speed of online condemnation independent.co.uk.
• El País – Analysis of South Korean cancel culture, highlighting how online forums amplify shame and citing research on how strict social norms fuel mental‑health struggles english.elpais.com.