5 most controversial K-pop group breakups, from Hyuna and Dawn’s secret romance that disbanded Triple H, and 2NE1’s Park Bom’s scandal, to Glam’s Dahee blackmailing Lee Byung-hun
![Learn more about these K-pop groups that disbanded due to controversies. Photos: @cube_triple_h, @official.april/Instagram; @ChnsBlckjck/Twitter](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/768x768/public/d8/images/canvas/2022/02/28/9d29193e-61b7-468b-9e5a-65d2a0b20011_b666c6ea.jpg?itok=Zy4YTbqj&v=1646040627)
- April broke up in January due to bullying scandals, while 2NE1 – often referred to as Blackpink’s predecessor – got in trouble for Park Bom’s drug smuggling
- Hyuna and Dawn of Triple H were only active for a year before they were dismissed for going public with their romance, and Glam – BTS’ labelmates at Hybe – only lasted three years
In the K-pop world, band break-ups aren’t a rare occurrence. Every year, countless groups disband for different reasons, whether contracts ending or a scandal – some of which are even cast into international spotlight.
So, which K-pop groups saw their careers cut short due to controversies?
1. April
![April disbanded in January 2022. Photo: @official.april/Instagram April disbanded in January 2022. Photo: @official.april/Instagram](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2022/02/28/44a32383-3d49-4072-a2b6-17bf4dc9d806_0edb78c7.jpg)
![Naeun was involved in additional bullying scandals in 2020. Photo: @betterlee_0824/Instagram Naeun was involved in additional bullying scandals in 2020. Photo: @betterlee_0824/Instagram](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2022/02/28/40a85488-de78-4191-a077-8f40c4f2e99a_039f0bbd.jpg)
Member Naeun, who had endorsements and acting gigs planned, was criticised in particular, as she had also been accused of being a school bully in March 2021. Though the accuser retracted their claims later, they certainly left a stain on the group’s reputation.
2. 2NE1
![2NE1 announced their disbandment in 2016. Photo: YG Entertainment 2NE1 announced their disbandment in 2016. Photo: YG Entertainment](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2022/02/28/685f81e0-4914-4f1e-ae0c-a2887c6fc2d3_1f6ac78e.jpg)
YG Entertainment’s beloved girl group – sometimes dubbed Blackpink’s predecessor – disbanded in 2016. While fans were devastated, many weren’t surprised about the news either. Though the official reason wasn’t announced, fans had anticipated the group’s disbandment due to controversy and inactivity beforehand.
![Member Park Bom’s controversy led to 2NE1’s hiatus. Photo: @newharoobompark/Instagram Member Park Bom’s controversy led to 2NE1’s hiatus. Photo: @newharoobompark/Instagram](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2022/02/28/9a6e40fb-f087-42d2-8b69-21a89fd9490f_b1924021.jpg)
3. Triple H
![Triple H. Photo: Cube Entertainment Triple H. Photo: Cube Entertainment](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2022/02/28/64e1ca27-e6f7-4426-ad07-727a6599c9b8_d47b3e71.jpg)