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5 K-pop idol pet scandals, from Blackpink’s Lisa accused of ‘animal hoarding’ and G-Dragon’s dog neglect, to comments from Aespa’s Winter and Super Junior’s Heechul

K-pop idols G-Dragon, Blackpink’s Lisa and Super Junior’s Heechul all faced controversy over their pets. Photos: GDTV; @lalalalisa_m, @kimheenim/Instagram
K-pop idols G-Dragon, Blackpink’s Lisa and Super Junior’s Heechul all faced controversy over their pets. Photos: GDTV; @lalalalisa_m, @kimheenim/Instagram

  • Blackpink’s Rosé was praised for adopting abandoned dog Hank – who’s now Insta-famous – but fans criticised Lisa for getting a new Doberman when she already has six cats
  • Bugsy, the bulldog of Super Junior’s Choi Si-won, inspired its own fashion brand, but it also came under fire for biting Choi’s neighbour and even his bandmate Leeteuk

Pets are said to be people’s best friends, and many pet owners have strong feelings for their furry friends. Many Korean celebs like to splurge on luxurious gifts for their pets, and some get praised for setting a good example by adopting abandoned dogs.

On the other hand, some have faced controversies over their pets – as popular and influential as they are.

Here are just a few times K-pop idols sparked online debates over their fluffy companions.

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Blackpink’s Lisa was accused of being an “animal hoarder”

Blackpink’s Lisa owns six cats. Photo: @lalalalisa_m/Instagram
Blackpink’s Lisa owns six cats. Photo: @lalalalisa_m/Instagram

On August 7, when Blackpink’s Lisa introduced a Doberman puppy named Love to her “L family”, it caused quite a stir on the internet. As Lisa already has six cats – Leo, Luca, Lily, Louis and Lego, counting breeds like Scottish fold, ragdoll, British shorthair and Abyssinian – some fans did not happily welcome the news.

Pedigreed cats are vulnerable to genetic diseases as they are bred in a highly selective way. On top of that, abandoned pets and the emergence of dog factories to meet the demand in pet shops have given rise to the ongoing “Adopt Don’t Shop” movement in Korea, prompting animal lovers to question Lisa’s decision to get a Doberman.

These criticisms contrasted with fans’ praise for Rosé, Lisa’s bandmate, when she adopted an abandoned pup named Hank, writing “special breed” instead of mixed breed on its Instagram page @hank_says_hank.

Others, however, have no issue with Lisa as long as she takes good care of her pets, with netizens making comments like, “Guys, it’s Lisa’s money, she can raise them well,”according to KpopStarz.