Recently, news about a K-Pop idol fathering a child from a previous relationship sparked widespread attention. Reports claimed a male idol in his late 30s had a child born in 2022, though the legality of the situation was initially unclear. This is not the first instance of a male K-Pop idol facing controversy over children outside of marriage.
Kim Hyunjoong provides a notable example. In 2014, he was accused of abusing a girlfriend, though he was eventually acquitted of the charges. Shortly afterward, a new scandal arose when the couple reconciled, resulting in a pregnancy. By January 2015, Kim was informed of the pregnancy, and while his agency confirmed the girlfriend’s pregnancy, they did not immediately acknowledge him as the father. A paternity test in December 2015 confirmed Kim’s fatherhood, leading to a split custody agreement.
Despite this, in 2022, Kim faced accusations of failing to pay child support for eight years and not meeting his son until recently. His agency denied claims of non-payment, explaining that he had paid amounts not determined by the courts due to his ex-partner’s non-responsiveness. The ongoing legal disputes were cited as the reason he had not met his son until the child was seven. In the same year, Kim married and welcomed a second son with his wife in October.
Although his public image was affected by these controversies, Kim remains active in the entertainment industry. SS501 reunited last year as Five O One and completed a tour in February 2026, with an encore performance scheduled in Yokohama on May 5-6. The combination of past scandals and continued professional activity illustrates the complexities of managing personal controversies while maintaining a career in K-Pop.
