In a matter of days, three big names in South Korea's entertainment industry have made headlines in separate scandals that could derail their careers.
The allegations that have embroiled comedians Park Na-rae and Cho Sae-ho, as well as veteran actor Cho Jin-woong, are all different - ranging from workplace abuse to previous teenage detention to associations with a gang member.
But the results have been the same: departures from the television screens where they had worked their way up to become household names.
The scandals have also raised questions about the standards to which South Korea's public figures are held - especially in the entertainment industry.
What are the scandals about?
Park Na-rae, one of the country's most successful female comedians, made headlines when two of her former managers lodged criminal complaints claiming she had verbally abused and physically assaulted them. The 40-year-old had also allegedly made them do her personal chores, which she has denied while accusing them of blackmail.
Separately, she is under investigation for receiving unauthorized IV drips at home, in violation of medical laws.
Cho Sae-ho is under scrutiny amid rumors that he has links to a gang member. After backlash and demands for his removal from popular variety shows, he resigned, stating that he wanted to avoid burdening the programs and their staff.
The most contentious situation involves Cho Jin-woong, who announced his retirement from acting after revelations of his criminal past resurfaced, including allegations of robbery and sexual assault from his teenage years. His agency confirmed prior wrongdoings but denied the sexual assault claims, leading to widespread calls for cancellations of his projects.
A debate over cancel culture
The allegations against Cho Jin-woong have sparked a broader discussion on the concept of cancel culture. While some argue for forgiveness of past mistakes, others stress the potential harm to victims if such figures remain in the public eye.
Culture critic Kim Sung-soo noted that public figures are subject to high expectations and are often swiftly held accountable for their actions. This ongoing cycle of scrutiny raises concerns about the system of judgment that South Korean celebrities face, emphasizing that there is a growing desire among audiences to challenge this pattern of targeting.
