Having once been one of South Korea's best-known and most popular actresses and a chief figure of the Hallyu Wave, Song Hye-kyo's untarnished reputation fell apart in 2014 when she became embroiled in a high-profile tax evasion scandal.

On August 19, 2014, the National Tax Service announced that Song had underreported her private income from 2009 to 2011, avoiding taxes worth 2.5 billion won.

The period of underpayment was three consecutive years during which the actress went about her work and public events without revealing the issue.

Her administration at first dismissed any personal fault, placing the blame on accounting missteps by a tax agent who had authority to deal with her finances.

Public indignation gathered strength, however, with her being faulted for evading responsibility and not overseeing her own affairs.

Even though Song paid the delinquent taxes on time, the backlash was intense and immediate.

With pressure piling up, she went to a press conference, bowing deeply in apology to the country and vowing never to do it again.

The scandal is the worst controversy in her career, leading to boycotts and petitions for her ouster from show business.

Song regained her public image years later, with the turning point coming in 2016 through Descendants of the Sun.

Nevertheless, the scandal continues to cast a shadow. Her name reappears often whenever tax scandals pop up anew, and extravagance—like the buying of a 9 billion won luxury villa—has recast her in the negative light of netizens who remember her past transgression.

Notwithstanding the continued taint, however, Song is still one of Korea's best-known actresses, her career long characterized by both success and scandal.