In a recent online survey, Korean netizens were asked to name the celebrities they thought fell from grace simply for being outspoken. With a total of 13,847 votes recorded, the top three ranks were occupied by all female celebrities.
3. Kim Yoonah
Kim Yoonah, the legendary lead singer of the band Jaurim, received 1,206 (9%)votes on the poll.
What she said:
Kim Yoonah faced some major controversy last year in August when she publicly condemned the wastewater discharge from Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean. Kim had uploaded an Instagram post criticizing the decision, with a picture that read, “RIP Earth.”
Since this wastewater discharge project has been a multilateral political decision between Japan and neighboring countries, including South Korea, Kim’s remarks drew intense scrutiny, especially from the political sphere. Her agency later posted a clarification, explaining that the artist was expressing her concern from an environmental perspective, not a political one.
2. LE SSERAFIM’s Sakura
Sakura received a total of 1,353 votes (10%), ranking second on the survey.
What she said:
The LE SSERAFIM member was harshly criticized for her live vocals after the group performed at Coachella in April. She later took it to Weverse and addressed the situation in a written post. She stated that her primary goal with the performance was to make their set engaging, especially for the people who were experiencing LE SSERAFIM’s music for the first time.
Standards may vary from person to person. It may also depend on what kind of stage it is. I wanted to create a stage that even those who didn’t know us, those hearing our songs for the first time, would find incredibly fun! A stage that would make them feel that today was a wonderfully unforgettable day. And I believe that my determination came through, and we were able to deliver the best performance.
…
I seriously prepared for this stage, struggled through it, and enjoyed it. On the day of the show, I believe I was able to show everything. To some eyes, it might appear immature, but no one is perfect for everyone, and it is an undeniable fact that, among all the stages we have shown, this was the best. That’s why I’m very excited to become a better team, and I really want to work even harder.— LE SSERAFIM’s Sakura
This statement, however, invited more criticism for Sakura, as many claimed it showed her reluctance to receive criticism. The singer continues to face harsh scrutiny regarding her vocals and even opened up about how it affected her in real life in a recent documentary.
1. Han So Hee
Actress Han So Hee was at the top of the poll, receiving a total of 1,639 votes (12%).
What she said:
Han So Hee, who is otherwise beloved for her candid personality, faced quite the vitriol earlier this year when her romance with Ryu Jun Yeol was made public. The relationship sparked speculations of “transit love,” which sparked an adverse public reaction toward the actress. In response, she made multiple posts on social media and her blog, calling out both Ryu Jun Yeol and his former girlfriend Hyeri, whose ambiguous Instagram story caused the speculations to rise in the first place.
These posts, far from the usual diplomatic statements issued by management agencies, created a shockwave. As a result, Han suffered through sharp criticism as public opinion kept turning sour against her. Though Han So Hee’s image has recovered significantly now, she still faced some professional fallouts after the controversy.
Apart from these three, the poll also named Jung Woo Sung and Kim Heechul as the fourth and fifth celebrities, respectively, who damaged their reputation with outspoken remarks.
Source: Wikitree
