Netflix’s hit Korean drama “Celebrity” is generating massive buzz—not just for its sharp take on influencer culture, but also for a controversial scene that has viewers drawing comparisons to real-life K-pop scandals.
In one of the final scenes, antagonist Jin Chae-hee (played by Han Jae-in) is exposed for illegal drug use. But what really caught viewers’ attention was her sudden appearance—with bleached hair. While it may seem like a small detail, this visual cue immediately sparked discussion among netizens familiar with past K-pop controversies.
Many viewers were quick to connect the scene to real-life drug scandals involving K-pop idols in 2019-2023, during which suspects reportedly bleached their hair to interfere with drug testing procedures.
G-Dragon
In late 2023, G-Dragon of BIGBANG faced allegations of illegal drug use. Reports indicated that he had shaved his entire body prior to undergoing drug tests, leading to suspicions that he was attempting to eliminate evidence of drug use.
However, G-Dragon denied these claims, stating that he regularly shaves his body for personal reasons. Subsequent tests, including hair, fingernail, and toenail analyses, all returned negative results for drug use. Additionally, the National Forensic Service confirmed that there was no evidence of recent hair dyeing or bleaching, which can sometimes affect the accuracy of drug tests .
Yoochun
Park Yoochun was criticized when he got into a series of scandals in 2019 and spiraled into a notorious drug use controversies. In April 2019, the police gathered his hair sample on his body, from his apartment at Hanam and his vehicle. At the time, his urinal sample gave back a negative result.
Because the actor got his hair waxed, the police ordered to take sample of his hair and hair on his legs. Philopon was found on the hair on his leg, meaning that Yoochun was positive with using meth and was exposed of lying in a press conference where he stated he did not do such a drug. CCTV footage also recorded the singer go to a designated location to receive meth. However, he denied and stated he only brought home items for his fiancee Hwang Hana unknowingly.
Before the scandal broke out, Yoochun bleached his hair and brows and continued doing so during the police investigation. Later, it was exposed to be a way to bypass the police’s drug test.
In July 2019, Yoochun was given two years of probation and would be sentenced to prison if he committed any extra charges. He was also fined 1.4 million won.
B.I
From April to May 2016, B.I was accused to have purchased marijuana and LSD from a trainee named Han Seo-hee and used the substance multiple times. When B.I was exposed of using drugs, the idol had to leave iKON and YG Entertainment.
He was fined 4 years of probation, 80 hours of community services, 40 hours of lectures about the damage of and treatment for meth adidiction, and was fined 1.5 million won. In May 2019, the idol bleached his hair and eyebrows. At the time, he was thought to be preparing for a comeback with Lee Hi.
Ilhoon (BTOB)
In 2020, BTOB Ilhoon was accused of using drugs 3 to 4 years ago, most recently in 2019. In his own words, the BTOB member, along with 7 other suspects, admitted to spending nearly 100 million won of cryptocurrency to buy marijuna from 2016 to 2019. He was fined 133 million won and 2 years in prison for violating the Drug Control Act.
In 2019, Ilhoon appeared in “TMI News” and said that he dyed his hair platinum blonde to attend his sister’s wedding. When others said that black hair would be more suited, the singer responded vaguely that he had to prepare for all circumstances.
Before the hearing took place, Ilhoon wrote 27 letters with the hopes of being albe to appeal and showing his remorse, from July 9 to August 18. In the end, the idol had to leave CUBE Entertainment and BTOB.
You must be logged in to post a comment.