K-Drama Actors Who Survived Scandals And Revived Their Careers

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Joo Ji Hoon
Song Seung Hoon
Lee Ji Ah
Park Shi Hoo

Can a k-drama actor revive his or her career after a scandal? In some cases a scandal is only a temporary setback but in other cases it can be a career killer.

Here are a few actors whose careers were affected by a scandal but who reclaimed their chance at stardom.

Joo Ji Hoon, who played Crown Prince Shin in "Princess Hours," appeared in "The Devil" and starred in the film "Antique Bakery," had a promising career before his scandal. Even before he debuted as an actor, he was a model for such top brands as Calvin Klein, Lee's and Reebok.

But in 2009, at the age of 27, he was arrested on drug charges. He pleaded guilty to using ecstacy and ketamine. He was sentenced to six months of jail time, suspended for one year, awarded 120 hours of community service and given a fine. He was repentant and fans begged for mercy.

After his probation ended, he enlisted in the Korean Army. He made a comeback in the film "I Am A King," played pianist in "Five Fingers and recently had a role in "Medical Top Team." He is currently shooting a film in China.

Song Seung Hoon, who is preparing for his role in the R-rated film "Human Addiction," also survived a scandal.

The actor became a star because of the first Hallyu dramas "Autumn in My Heart" and "Summer Scent."

But his career was threatened when rumors began to spread that he illegally avoided his military service by pretending that he was sick and unfit for duty. Song Seung Hoon agreed to serve and eventually attained the rank of colonel. Two years after his military duty ended, he took a role in the 2008 drama "East of Eden," following that with the Japanese remake of "Ghost," the dramas "My Princess" and "Dr. Jin." In his new film, he plays a colonel who falls into an obsessive love affair with the wife of a junior officer.

Lee Ji Ah, who appeared in "Beethoven Virus," "Athena Goddess of War," and "Me Too Flower," now appears in "Thrice Married Woman."

Her name made the headlines once it was discovered that she had secretly been married to k-pop icon Seo Taiji for over 10 years. Fans learned about it while she was dating her "Athena" co-star Jung Woo Sung. By that time she and Seo Taiji had long separated, but the revelation, also news to Jung Woo Sung, ended their relationship. However, Lee Ji Ah's career weathered the media storm.

Recently Park Shi Hoo considered making a drama comeback a year after he was accused of sexual assault by a young starlet. The charges were eventually dropped and the actor's agency denied that a settlement was made. But when Park Shi Hoo recently considered a new drama role, fans and the media said it was too soon. If he wanted to revive his career, he would have to wait a while longer.

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