The recent case involving a male K-pop idol who was blackmailed by his ex-girlfriend over an explicit video has shaken the industry, not only because of the seriousness of the offense but also due to the speculative frenzy it unleashed online. The court’s decision to protect the victim’s identity was meant to preserve his dignity and emotional safety, but instead, it has sparked a wave of baseless accusations directed at high-profile idols like EXO’s Baekhyun and unnamed members of ENHYPEN and Stray Kids. These assumptions are purely circumstantial, relying on nothing more than vague timelines and relationship patterns, which do not amount to any form of credible evidence.
The facts established by the court—that the relationship lasted from late 2020 to early 2022, and that the threats were intentionally designed to manipulate and damage the idol’s future—highlight how deeply personal and damaging the situation was. The use of a fake social media account, public altercations, and explicit intimidation tactics show that the victim was put under immense psychological pressure. It is also significant that the court weighed the woman’s remorse and first-time offender status while still finding her guilty on multiple serious charges, including blackmail and property destruction.
Yet despite all of this, the public’s focus has shifted unhelpfully toward speculating about who the victim might be. This kind of rumor-mongering ignores the core of the story: a violation of privacy, trust, and personal safety. Fans, particularly in such emotionally intense fandom spaces, must remember the real human impact of spreading unfounded allegations. Innocent idols could be permanently harmed by internet gossip, especially in a profession where public image is everything.
Until the individual involved chooses to share their story, if ever, their anonymity must be respected. What matters more than guessing the name is reflecting on the systemic vulnerabilities idols face in their private lives and supporting healthier boundaries and protections for all public figures.
