School bullying is a prevalent issue in South Korea, and even top stars fall victim to it
In Korea, the prevalent issue of school bullying affects not only regular students but also several Korean stars, ranging from singers to actors. Below are some well-known names who were once victims of school bullying, which may range from social solation to physical attacks.
1. Kang Daniel
Before rising to fame, Kang Daniel was a victim of school bullying due to his appearance. In an episode of “Hello Counselor”, Kang Daniel opened up about this dark period.
“During my first year of high school, I was bullied and criticized a lot for my appearance. They said I was extremely ugly,” shared the former WANNA ONE member.
Despite facing various criticisms, Kang Daniel overcame the negativity by embracing self-confidence. Encouraged by his teachers, he realized that true confidence comes from within. His determination to excel in his passion and shine on stage eventually became a driving force, earning him immense popularity.
2. Yoo In-na
While still a student, Yoo In-na faced bullying due to her distinct appearance. As a trainee at YG Entertainment in the past, the actress became a target for gossip, negative comments, and jealousy from fellow students.
In fact, Yoo In-na once shared the painful experience of having her seat vandalized and leftover food thrown onto her desk. The emotional toll of this bullying is evident whenever she recounts the story to her audience.
3. Davichi’s Kang Minkyung
Appearing on “Hello Counselor”, Kang Minkyung revealed her experience of being socially isolated by classmates, which forces her to switch schools. Even at the new school, she faced continued coldness from fellow students, as rumors about her being a trainee contributed to the negative treatment.
Facing such adversity, the Minkyung was initially frightened and avoided attending school. However, she eventually found a way to cope with the situation, demonstrating resilience and determination.
4. Holland
Holland, a male solo artist, encountered bullying during his high school years. Despite facing persistent harassment, he chose not to let it define him negatively. Recognizing that he was not a bad person, Holland decided to rise above the criticism and gossip, showcasing an admirable level of resilience.
5. BIGBANG’s G-Dragon (GD)
G-Dragon, a prominent figure in the K-pop industry, faced bullying during his school days due to his early fame. As the leader of BIGBANG, he had to endure verbal attacks and derogatory comments from peers.
G-Dragon confronted this mental violence alone for an extended period before achieving success in the entertainment industry.
6. BTS’s V
V, a member of BTS, also experienced school bullying. In a particularly distressing incident, a supposed friend invited him to a party but intentionally provided the wrong address. This resulted in V waiting alone for hours. Despite accepting the apology later, their friendship was never the same.
7.SHINee’s Taemin
Joining SM Entertainment during high school, Taemin faced jealousy and bullying due to his early fame. The pinnacle of this mistreatment was an incident where three bullies physically attacked him, hitting and kicking him while verbally assaulting him. Taemin chose to endure silently, not resisting due to his idol image. Additionally, the constant presence of fans around the school gate made his daily life challenging.
Source: K14
