The South Korean celebrities who have re-emerged after their scandals

In the world of South Korean entertainment, a scandal can halt a career in its tracks. But in recent years, we’ve seen a wave of stars attempting comebacks—some met with quiet support, others with fierce backlash. Whether it’s a well-timed return to acting or a strategic move behind the scenes, these celebrities are slowly making their way back into the spotlight. Here’s a look at the ones who’ve re-emerged, and how the public’s response says just as much about the industry as it does about them.

Seo Yea-ji

While many recognise Seo Yea-ji for her breakout role in It’s Okay To Not Be Okay, the actress made headlines in April 2021 for all the wrong reasons. Reports alleged that she had pressured her then-boyfriend, actor Kim Jung-hyun, to alter the script of his drama to remove romantic scenes and physical contact with his co-star, Seohyun.

(READ MORE: Kim Jung-hyun allegedly controlled by ex-lover Seo Ye-ji, star of It’s Okay To Not Be Okay)

She eventually addressed the situation in February 2022, apologising for her “immature attitude and shortcomings” and expressing regret for making people feel uncomfortable—though she stopped short of directly naming the 2021 incident or Kim Jung-hyun.

During the controversy, her agency, Gold Medalist (which also represents Kim Soo-hyun), confirmed the relationship between the two in 2018 but denied that Seo was the reason behind Kim’s on-set behaviour, according to Soompi.

Adding fuel to the fire, a former staff member from her management agency came forward with claims of verbal abuse, threats, and unreasonable behaviour from Seo, in a tell-all that quickly made headlines. On top of that, she faced accusations of school bullying and allegedly lying about her academic background. 

After a long hiatus, it seems Seo Yea-ji is slowly stepping back into the spotlight. She recently appeared as a guest on the long-running culinary travel show Heo Young Man’s Food Travel, and is also set to host the second episode of SNL Korea 7.

Yoo Ah-in

Yoo Ah-in—whose real name is Uhm Hong-sik—is best known for his roles in Punch and Hellbound, both released in 2021. But in 2024, his career came to a halt after he was convicted by the Seoul Central District Court for the habitual use of propofol and other illegal substances, resulting in a prison sentence served in September 2024.

Now, following his release, Yoo appears to be making his return with The Match—a long-awaited biographical sports drama directed by Kim Hyung-joo, where he stars alongside Lee Byung-hun. While the film wrapped production back in 2021, its release was put on hold due to the actor’s legal troubles.

Park Han-byul

You might know her from films like Wishing Stairs (2003) and Little Black Dress (2011), but what you might not know is that she quietly stepped away from the spotlight in 2019, after her husband Yoo In-suk was implicated in the infamous Burning Sun scandal—where he was named as a key figure alongside former BigBang member Seungri.

After years of staying under the radar, Park made her return to television recently on tvN’s variety show Dad and I. In the episode, she shared more about how the scandal had affected her, and she even broke down in tears.

Kim Hieora

Kim Hieora, best known for her role in the hit series, The Glory, made headlines in 2023—but not for the reasons she’d hoped. The actress was involved in a school violence controversy, where she was accused of being involved in school bullying during her time at Sangji Girls’ Middle School in Wonju, with rumours linking her to a group known for extortion and verbal abuse

(READ MORE: All the K-pop bullying scandals that are blowing up now)

The public quickly picked up on the irony—after all, The Glory is a drama about school bullying, and Kim played one of the very bullies the show condemns.

Now, after a two-year pause from film projects, Kim is set to return in The Saviour, an occult thriller where she takes on the role of a single mum caught in eerie, supernatural events.