Yearender: Top 10 Korean entertainment stories in 2025
From NewJeans, BTS, “APT.” to the Kim Soo-hyun-Kim Sae-ron dating issue, 2025 was filled with interesting, scandalous, and successful stories in the Korean entertainment industry.
Here are the top 10 Korean entertainment stories in 2025:
1. Dating issue between Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron
The death of Korean actress Kim Sae-ron, 24, on Feb. 16 this year sparked a dating issue involving actor Kim Soo-hyun. She was found dead on the day of Kim Soo-hyun’s birthday.
Kim Sae-ron was on hiatus from her career due to a drunk driving incident that happened in Gangnam, Seoul on May 18, 2022.
In March 2024, Kim Sae-ron posted a photo on Instagram Stories showing her and Kim Soo-hyun posing cheek-to-cheek that raised rumors that they were dating. It was immediately deleted.
At the time, Gold Medalist, Kim Soo-hyun’s agency and the former agency of Kim Sae-ron, issued a statement, saying, “The dating rumors about Kim Soo-hyun are groundless."
Following her death, YouTube channel Hoverlab and Kim Sae-ron’s family claimed that Kim Soo-hyun dated Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor from November 2015 to July 2021.
Kim Soo-hyun’s side vehemently denied the accusation.
“Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron dated from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020, after Kim Sae-ron became an adult. It is not true that Kim Soo-hyun dated Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor,” Gold Medalist said in a statement.
Hoverlab continued to hurl accusations against Kim Soo-hyun on YouTube.
On March 31, 2025, Kim Soo-hyun broke down in tears during a press conference he held and said he and Kim Sae-ron dated for about a year but denied that he dated her when she was a minor.
Gold Medalist filed complaints against Hoverlab and Kim Sae-ron’s family.
Some advertising brands with Kim Soo-hyun as endorser filed lawsuits for damages. Others decided to delete online posts featuring Kim Soo-hyun. Kim Soo-hyun has been on hiatus from his career since the scandal broke out.
2. NewJeans-ADOR legal dispute
After a year of legal battle, Korean agency ADOR won its lawsuit in October against members of K-pop group NewJeans.
In November 2024, NewJeans declared that they were terminating their contract with ADOR, citing violations of its terms.
In December, ADOR filed a lawsuit to confirm the validity of NewJeans’ 2022 contract with the agency.
On Oct. 30, the 41st Civil Division of the Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of ADOR, declaring that the 2022 exclusive contract of the five NewJeans members–Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein–was valid. The contract will expire in July 2029, Korean media reported.
Following this, the five members announced they would return to ADOR. However, on Dec. 29, ADOR announced that it had terminated its exclusive contract with NewJeans’ Danielle and that it would file a lawsuit against her for breach of contract.
“Regarding Danielle, ADOR has determined that it would no longer be feasible for her to continue as a member of NewJeans and as an artist under ADOR. Accordingly, the company has notified her today of the termination of her exclusive contract. In addition, ADOR plans to pursue legal action against one family member of Danielle and ADOR’s former President, Min Hee-jin, who bears significant responsibility for the circumstances that led to the recent dispute and for causing the breakaway of NewJeans, as well as the delay in their return,” ADOR said in a statement provided to the Manila Bulletin.
3. EXO’s comeback
Fans were anticipating the return of K-pop boy band EXO as a whole group following the military discharge of Sehun in September. Sehun was the last member to enlist in the military.
However, SM Entertainment announced in October that the only Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun and Lay Zhang would be participating in the EXO'verse Fanmeeting that was held on Dec. 14. and in the new album “Reverxe” that will be released on Jan. 19.
The agency excluded EXO members Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin, who also belong to the unit EXO-CBX. This was because of the legal dispute between the agency and the three K-pop idols over contract and issue of payment.
Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin said they wanted to join EXO in the comeback.
4. BTS’ comeback
Members of K-pop boy band BTS are gearing up for their group comeback in 2026 following the completion of their military service.
BTS started their military service in 2022 beginning with Jin in December 2022 followed by J-Hope in April 2023, Suga, RM, V, Jimin and Jungkook. Suga was the last member to be discharged from the military on June 18 this year.
They announced that they would release their new album next year.
5. “KPop Demon Hunters” becomes global hit
Netflix’s animated film “KPOp Demon Hunters” emerged as one of the hottest titles in 2025, setting records since its release in June.
“KPOp Demon Hunters” now holds the record as the No. 1 most popular film of all time on Netflix with 325.1 million views globally in the first 91 days of release. It’s been in the top 10 on Netflix’s English movie category for 27 weeks.
The film and the official soundtrack have won many awards. At the MAMA Awards, "Golden" won Best OST while the film bagged the Music Visionary of the Year award. "Golden" also won Best OST at the Melon Music Awards.
At the 2026 Grammy Awards to be held on Feb. 1, "Golden" is nominated for Song of the Year, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Song Written for Visual Media and Best Remixed Recording for “Golden” (David Guetta REM/X). "KPop Demon Hunters" is also nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media.
At the 98th Oscars, "Golden" is on the shortlist for Best Original Song. The nominations will be announced on Jan. 22.
"Golden" got nominated for Outstanding Original Song for a Comedy or Musical Visual Media Production at the upcoming Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards.
6. “APT.” song
2025 became BLACKPINK’s Rosé’s year with her hit song “APT.” with Bruno Mars. Since its release in October 2024, “APT.” topped music charts, bagged awards and accolades, and set records.
“APT.” won Song of the Year at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.
For the 68th Grammy Awards, “APT.” is nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year. Cirkut, who produced “APT.,” is nominated for Producer of the Year (Non-Classical).
“I cannot believe my life. i am STILL trying to process everything. thank you so so much to the @recordingacademy. this means so much to me and many many others. i’m feeling so incredibly grateful today. @brunomars look at that!!!” Rose posted on Instagram following her Grammy nominations.
The “APT.” music video is ranked No. 5 among YouTube’s all-time fastest music videos to reach one billion views. It achieved the record in 105 days.
7. Ex-NCT member Taeil convicted of aggravated rape
The rape case of former K-pop boy band NCT member Moon Taeil, 31, came to an end in July when a court convicted him and two others.
Taeil and the two, with the surnames Lee and Hong, were found guilty by the Seoul Central District Court and sentenced them to three and a half years in prison for aggravated rape.
They were indicted for sexually assaulting an intoxicated female Chinese tourist at Lee’s residence in Bangbae, Seocho, Seoul on June 13 last year.
On Aug. 28 last year, SM Entertainment, NCT’s agency, announced Taeil’s expulsion from the group due to the incident.
On Oct. 17, the Seoul High Court dismissed their appeals. They went to South Korea’s Supreme Court and again lost.
On Dec. 26, the Supreme Court's First Division dismissed the appeal of Taeil and two accomplices, deeming that the grounds for the appeal were unjustified.
Taeil will be released from prison in January 2029. Taeil debuted as a member of NCT U and NCT 127 in 2016.
8. Weddings and announcements
Several Korean stars tied the knot or announced they were getting married in 2025.
Among the most prominent were celebrity couple Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-a who tied the knot on Dec. 20 at The Shilla Seoul hotel. They got married after being together for 10 years.
Actors Yoon Sun-woo and Kim Ga-eun held their wedding ceremony in October after being together for 10 years.
Actress Kang Eun-bi and Byun Jun-pil tied the knot in April after 17 years of dating,
K-pop girl group Apink’s Bomi also announced she would be getting married to Rado in May next year.
"I have decided to spend my future with the person who has been by my side for a long time, sharing our daily lives through both joy and sorrow,” she told fans.
Last November, Korean actor and idol Ok Taecyeon, 36, announced he would be getting married to his longtime girlfriend next year.
In June 2020, Taecyeon admitted his relationship after they were seen on a date in Pyeongchang in Gangwon Province in South Korea.
He announced, “I've promised to spend the rest of my life with the one person who has understood and believed in me for so long. We will be each other's strong supporters and walk together through life together.”
Actress and K-pop idol Tiffany Young and actor Byun Yo-han revealed their relationship and plans to get married.
On Dec. 13, a Korean news report stated that the two would get married next fall. Following this, the actor’s agency said, "The two actors are currently seriously dating with marriage in mind.” The two stars first met when they worked together in the Disney+ original “Uncle Samsik,” which premiered in May last year.
9. Deaths
Prominent Korean celebrities died in 2025.
Netflix hit series “Squid Game” season 2 actress Lee Joo-shil died on Feb. 2 at the age of 80 after battling stomach cancer. In "Squid Game," she played the mother of Hwang Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon), (Screenshots from Netflix video)
Actress Kim Sae-ron, a former child actress, died on Feb. 16 at age 24. She was found dead at her home.
Singer Wheesung was found dead at his home in Gwangjin, South Korea on March 10. He was 43.
Korean actress Lee Seo-yi of the movie “Killing Romance” and the drama “The Divorce Insurance” passed away on June 20 at age 43.
Korean actor Song Young-kyu of the dramas “Love Scout” and “Big Bet” season 2 was found dead on Aug. 4. He was 55.
Beloved actor Lee Soon-jae, who was also a former politician, passed away on Nov. 25 at age 91. He was known for the comedy series “High Kick Through the Roof.”
Kim Ji-mi, an actress who embodied the golden age of Korean cinema, died in Los Angeles on Dec. 9. She was 85.
Korean actress Yoon Seok-hwa passed away on Dec. 19. She was 69. She appeared in Netflix's "Remarriage & Desires" and the drama "The Great Shaman Ga Doo-Shim."
10. Scandals
Several Korean celebrities were embroiled in scandals that forced them to put a halt to their careers.
Among them were comedian Park Na-rae, SHINee’s Key, actor Lee Yi-kyung, actor Cho Jin-woong, and comedian Jo Se-ho.
Park Na-rae and Key were both mainstays of the popular TV show “I Live Alone.” They became embroiled in the “injection aunt” controversy and stepped down from the show.
It started when Park Na-rae was sued by her former managers for abuse and allegations of an unregistered company. She allegedly got treatment from an “injection aunt,” who is an unlicensed practitioner.
After this, Key was also accused of getting treatment from her. Key apologized and stepped down from TV shows.
SM Entertainment, Key’s agency, issued a statement on Dec. 17, saying, "Key first got to know her as a doctor when he visited a hospital in Gangnam-gu where 'Injection Aunt' Lee works, upon the recommendation of an acquaintance."
Lee Yi-kyung’s private life was exposed by a German woman in October. After this, the woman said it was made with AI but later changed her stance to say they were all true.
The actor of the K-dramas “Marry My Husband” and “Marry You” filed a criminal complaint with the police against a woman. The woman uploaded KakaoTalk chats and Instagram DMs with Lee Yi-kyung on her blog that featured explicit language and content. As a result, Lee Yi-kyung left the show “Hangout with Yoo.”
Cho Jin-woong retired from the entertainment industry in December after a Korean media outlet exposed his juvenile delinquency record. The report stated that in 1994, when he was in high school, he was allegedly involved in robbery rape and was sent to a juvenile detention center.
“"I humbly accept the reprimand and will cease all activities as of today, marking the end of my acting career. It is my rightful responsibility and duty to take responsibility for my past mistakes,” he announced on Dec. 6.
This put his upcoming drama “Signal” season 2 in limbo. The eight-episode series finished filming in August and was currently in post-production with the plan to be released next year.