TNP Flame Awards 2014: K-pop crisis of the year

FLAME AWARDS 2014

Tomorrow's category: Cutest Celeb Baby

To call 2014 a roller-coaster year for the K-pop industry would be an understatement. Artists faced off against agencies in several lawsuits, while separate accidents killed two members of Ladies' Code, and claimed the lives of 16 people at a K-pop music festival. We shortlist the catastrophes that kept anxious fans on the edge of their seats.

JESSICA GETS BOOTED OUT

Devastated fans of nine-member girl group Girls' Generation cried foul when popular member Jessica Jung, 25, hinted on her social media account that she had been kicked out of the A-list band in late September

Soon after, Jessica's agency SM Entertainment announced that she would be leaving due to a conflict of interest between her fashion business and Girls' Generation activities.

Singapore fan Lin Jiansheng, 25, who is self-employed, said: "Girls' Generation have always seemed quite stable as a group even though they have been around for seven years. So this, to me, is the biggest K-pop crisis compared to the rest, as I wanted them to remain as nine members until their contract ends."

TRIPLE TRAGEDY FOR LEETEUK

Super Junior leader Leeteuk had a horrible start to the year when he lost his father and grandparents in what appeared to be a murder-suicide in January.

His father allegedly killed his own parents and then committed suicide.

Leeteuk, 31, who was serving his military service at the time, took immediate leave and rushed to the Korea University Medical Center (Guro Hospital) funeral parlour to be with his family.

The news trended worldwide on Twitter that day.

Student Melissa Tan, 19, said: "Many things happened in K-pop this year, but Leeteuk's family tragedy really hit me because it was so unexpected and sad."

BOY BAND EXO-DUS

Rookie supergroup EXO have survived not one but two quitters.

In May, Kris, 24, filed a lawsuit against his agency SM Entertainment and left the then 12-member boy band.

Two months ago, fellow member Luhan (below), 24, did the same after filing a similar lawsuit.

However, the dramatic exodus did not appear to affect EXO's popularity and they went on to win big at the recent Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA).

K-pop fan Joanne Lim said: "I think EXO's news was the most shocking because they are the most prominent rising boy band this year.

I wouldn't expect them to have so many scandals in one year."

The 20-year-old student added: "It hasn't been a good year for K-pop fans. I hope 2015 will be better."

This article was first published on December 10, 2014.
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