K-drama stars often embody perfection on screen, but off-screen, some have been embroiled in plagiarism controversies that sparked public outrage, legal battles, and career setbacks. These accusations range from copying creative works like designs and music to academic misconduct. While some were cleared or apologized, the incidents highlight the intense scrutiny in the industry. Here's a look at seven notable cases.
1. Yoon Eun-hye's Fashion Design Controversy
Yoon Eun-hye, beloved for roles in "Coffee Prince" and "Goong", faced backlash in 2015 during her appearance on the Chinese variety show "Goddess' New Clothes". She was accused by Korean designer Yoon Choon-ho of plagiarizing his Fall/Winter coat design, with similarities in structure and details drawing widespread criticism. Her agency denied it, claiming inspiration from Viktor & Rolf, but she later apologized publicly at a fashion event, leading to a temporary shift to Chinese activities amid Korean netizen backlash.
2. IU's Song Plagiarism Allegations
IU, a multi-talented star known for dramas like "Hotel Del Luna" and "My Mister", was accused in 2023 of plagiarizing six songs, including "Good Day" and "Boo", in a police complaint filed by an unidentified individual. She and her agency denied the claims, pursuing legal action for defamation. By 2024, the accuser was ordered to pay compensation, but the scandal fueled debates on music originality and briefly overshadowed her acting career.
3. Lee Hyo-ri's Album Track Plagiarism
Lee Hyo-ri, who transitioned from idol to actress in projects like "If in Love... Like Them", admitted in 2010 that six tracks on her album "H-Logic" were plagiarized after accusations surfaced. The controversy followed earlier claims, leading to album sales halts and public apologies. It impacted her image, though she rebounded, highlighting the pressures on stars balancing music and acting.
4. Kim Hye-soo's Master's Thesis Plagiarism
Veteran actress Kim Hye-soo, acclaimed for "Hyena" and "Signal", apologized in 2013 for plagiarizing parts of her master's thesis at Sungkyunkwan University. She admitted to not fully understanding the severity, leading to public scrutiny and reflections on celebrity academic pursuits. The incident didn't derail her career but sparked discussions on integrity.
5. Hong Jin-young's Thesis Plagiarism Scandal
Hong Jin-young, known for her role in "Shining Romance" and variety appearances, was accused in 2020 of plagiarizing her master's and doctoral theses, with reports showing high similarity rates via plagiarism detection software. Her degrees were revoked, and she took a hiatus, returning to music in 2022 amid ongoing criticism about academic dishonesty among entertainers.
6. Kim Mi-hwa's Plagiarism Resignation
Comedian and actress Kim Mi-hwa, who appeared in historical drama "The King and the Queen", resigned from her radio hosting gig in 2013 after plagiarism accusations in her academic work surfaced. Similar to other celebrity cases, it involved her master's degree, prompting apologies and a temporary step back from public roles, underscoring the fallout from such scandals.
7. Park Myung-soo's Song Plagiarism Controversy
Park Myung-soo, a comedian-actor featured in "High Kick Through the Roof", was embroiled in a 2013 plagiarism scandal over the song "I Got C" from "Infinity Challenge", accused of copying Dutch artist Caro Emerald's "Liquid Lunch". The producer Primary addressed it as sampling, but the uproar led to chart suspensions and debates on musical borrowing in Korean entertainment.
