The “Boys Over Flowers” Curse: Tragic Fates and Scandals ‘Haunting’ the Iconic Cast

“Boys Over Flowers” premiered in 2009 and has since become a legendary piece, a nostalgic memory for many generations of Asian fans. One of the special factors of this film is that it has helped many lesser-known stars to rise to the ranks of A-list celebrities in Korean showbiz.

Despite being a solid stepping stone for many stars, looking back after 15 years, “Boys Over Flowers” leaves audiences with goosebumps due to its series of “curses”. Three characters from the movie have died, and the four most famous stars from the film have all faced scandals related to love, from divorce, being a gigolo, assault, to infidelity.

1. “Curse” of Death

Jang Ja Yeon Commits Suicide Due to Sexual Abuse

Jang Ja Yeon was not a well-known name or face when “Boys Over Flowers” achieved great success. At 7:42 PM on March 7, 2009, two days before episode 18 of the drama aired, the supporting actress hanged herself at her home in Gyeonggi Province. This shocking news contributed to the highest nationwide ratings for the show. What shocked the public was the tragedy of her depression and slave contract.

Jang Ja Yeon left a suicide note accusing her manager of forcing her to serve alcohol and provide sexual services to a list of high-profile figures. A 230-page document accusing 31 powerful individuals of sexually assaulting the late actress up to 100 times was later released by Dispatch, shaking all of Asia. Although the case concluded in public outrage in 2009, it was revisited three years ago due to statements by Yoon Ji Oh, who claimed to be the last witness. Later, Yoon was exposed as a liar, using her deceased friend’s fame for profit and fame. Years have passed, and the audience still mourns for Jang Ja Yeon, who never found peace even in death.

Child Star Suicide

Fourteen years after Jang Ja Yeon’s death, “Boys Over Flowers” fans were once again struck by grief. On the night of April 19, 2023, Korean fans and global followers were shocked by the news that Moonbin (ASTRO), who played a child star role in the drama, had passed away. The male idol was found by his manager at his home in Gangnam, Seoul, at 8:10 PM (KST). He was rushed to the hospital but did not survive. The cause of death was believed to be suicide.

What astonished the public even more was that Moonbin was still preparing for the 2023 Dream Concert with the sub-unit ASTRO Moonbin & Sanha in May of the same year. The idol always appeared cheerful and smiling, but no one knew he was under constant pressure. After his death, Cha Eun Woo and several famous idols like Woozi, DK (SEVENTEEN), continued to remember and honor Moonbin every year.

Director Killed in Accident

In addition to the talented actors, the director of “Boys Over Flowers” passed away in 2018 at the age of 59. Around 1 AM on January 13, local time, director Jeon Ki Sang was hit by a taxi at an intersection in Yeouido, Seoul. He was immediately taken to the hospital but did not survive due to severe injuries.

Jeon Ki Sang was a famous director in South Korea, loved by fans nationwide for leading popular dramas such as “Boys Over Flowers,” “My Girl,” “Witch Yoo Hee,” and “To The Beautiful You.”

2. “Curse” of Love

Goo Hye Sun’s Divorce Scandal

Before divorcing Ahn Jae Hyun, Goo Hye Sun was already labeled as deceitful and disliked by many colleagues. Her poor acting skills led her to be called a “rating poison,” and her odd personality and constant excuses for her shortcomings caused many misunderstandings and estrangement. She withdrew from showbiz to focus on her studies. However, the peak of public disdain came from her highly publicized divorce battle with Ahn Jae Hyun in 2020.

Initially, the public criticized Ahn Jae Hyun for allegedly neglecting his wife in favor of partying. But later, opinions shifted as evidence of Goo Hye Sun’s controlling and toxic behavior surfaced. Dispatch released text messages between the couple, clearing Ahn Jae Hyun of wrongdoing and leading to a public backlash against Goo Hye Sun. Recently, she was again criticized for using her victim status to flaunt her wealth. The audience has grown weary of Goo Hye Sun.

Kim Hyun Joong’s Assault Scandal Shocks Asia

During the airing of “Boys Over Flowers,” Kim Hyun Joong was considered a national heartthrob, adored for his gentle and romantic image in the drama. However, this perfect image shattered when his scandal of assaulting his pregnant girlfriend came to light.

The scandal, which involved allegations of assault, miscarriages, and lengthy court battles, was like a never-ending drama with countless twists. On August 22, 2014, a woman named Choi filed a complaint with the Songpa Police Station, accusing Kim Hyun Joong of repeatedly assaulting her from late May to July of that year.

The couple had been dating since 2012 but started having issues in May 2014, leading to assaults that resulted in six broken ribs for Choi. After multiple lawsuits and denials, Kim Hyun Joong admitted to one incident of conflict but claimed the injuries were not severe. The case concluded with Kim Hyun Joong compensating Choi with 600 million won and paying an additional 5 million won fine for assault.

However, the scandal did not end there. In April 2015, Choi filed another lawsuit, accusing Kim Hyun Joong of causing her to miscarry through beatings and forced abortions. The couple had reconciled briefly, leading to Choi’s pregnancy. In July 2015, Kim Hyun Joong’s side counter-sued Choi for defamation. Amid the ongoing lawsuit, Choi gave birth to a boy, and a DNA test confirmed Kim Hyun Joong as the father. His parents apologized on his behalf, but he was barred from meeting his son.

The series of scandals ruined Kim Hyun Joong’s career. Despite being unemployed, he now enjoys farming and YouTube, thanks to a piece of land worth 200 million won (3.7 billion VND).

Lee Min Jung’s Husband – Lee Byung Hun’s Infidelity Scandal

After the success of “Boys Over Flowers,” Lee Min Jung became an A-list star, primarily due to her marriage to the “screen king” Lee Byung Hun. Their seemingly perfect life fell apart when Lee Byung Hun’s infidelity was exposed.

In late August 2014, Lee Byung Hun reported to the police that he was being blackmailed by idol Dahee (GLAM) and model Lee Ji Yeon for 5 billion won (around 97 billion VND). The reason for the blackmail was Lee Byung Hun’s inappropriate actions and propositions towards the two women.

The investigation revealed that Lee Byung Hun and Lee Ji Yeon had an affair, meeting at Lee Ji Yeon’s apartment in Gangnam, Seoul. Lee Byung Hun decided to end the relationship, prompting Lee Ji Yeon to plan the blackmail. The weapon used was a recording of a conversation between the three, where Lee Byung Hun made lewd and suggestive remarks. Before the blackmail attempt, Lee Ji Yeon posted photos of gifts from the mysterious “B,” identified as Lee Byung Hun. Dispatch also released text messages proving the affair. At the time, Lee Min Jung was pregnant with their first child.

After the trial, the two women faced fines and performance bans for blackmail. Lee Byung Hun, despite winning the lawsuit, faced public backlash for cheating on his pregnant wife. Lee Min Jung eventually forgave him, and the couple now lives happily with their two children.

Lee Min Ho Accused of Being a “Gigolo”

Two years ago, Chinese showbiz was shaken by rumors that actor Gong Jun secretly had a child ten years ago and was involved in the infamous “White Horse Club” in Shanghai. The scandal brought rumors about various Asian stars, including Lee Min Ho, who was accused of engaging in “secret deals” by a prominent blogger known as “Emperor Master.”

The blogger claimed that Lee Min Ho often traveled to China to dine, drink, and sleep with wealthy women. However, no evidence was provided. Regarding Lee Min Ho’s scandal, the blogger revealed his “appearance fee,” stating that each woman would pay Lee Min Ho 20 million yuan. If successful, he would earn 100 million yuan. Despite not responding, the blogger eventually apologized to Lee Min Ho and his fans, admitting he never spread such rumors about the actor.