On June 4th, fans of K-pop star Park Yoochun took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate his birthday under the hashtag "Yoochun_A_Happy_Birthday."

Despite the singer's tumultuous past, which includes allegations of sexual misconduct, drug use, and tax evasion, thousands of domestic and international fans expressed their love and support for him through nostalgic posts and heartfelt messages.

The hashtag quickly gained traction, accumulating over 20,000 posts throughout the day and even trending on X, underscoring the enduring devotion from his fandom despite the controversies surrounding him.

Park Yoochun, once a prominent member of the popular boy band JYJ, has been embroiled in scandals since 2016, when allegations of sexual misconduct first surfaced.

In 2019, he was charged with methamphetamine use and received a suspended prison sentence.

Despite initially denying the allegations, Park later admitted to drug use, causing rifts with both his agency and his fanbase.

The singer's troubles continued as he found himself on the wrong side of the law once again when his name appeared on the National Tax Service's list of habitual tax delinquents in December of last year.

Reports suggested he owed nearly 490 million KRW (approximately 358,000 USD) in unpaid taxes, sparking renewed controversy and casting doubt on his future in the entertainment industry.

Cultural critic Kim Heon-sik weighed in on the phenomenon, describing it as a "twisted love" that fans harbor for celebrities embroiled in misconduct.

He warned that the unconditional support from fans could perpetuate a moral hazard, enabling celebrities to repeat their misdeeds without facing the consequences.

If fans ignore, protect, and support such behavior, it results in moral hazard, leading to the recurrence of such criminal incidents."

-Kim Heon-sik

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Written by Joan Cabigas