Here’s a complete look at why these stars became the most hated K-pop idols of 2026 and the truth behind the backlash.
Jennie (BLACKPINK)
In July 2024, Jennie was seen vaping near the staff during makeup application. The clip drew criticism for being disrespectful to the staff present. Jennie apologized publicly shortly after, acknowledging the behavior was inappropriate. But she faced backlash for being disrespectful and unprofessional for smoking near staff. She is always targeted for being a lazy dancer and her bold fashion choices.
Seems she is not passionate enough about her career or cares about the public that is watching them, I guess she knows her fans will defend everything she does and is lazy af. Source
Jisoo (BLACKPINK)
Netizens often hate her for her acting and label her as “expressionless” and “stiff.” Critics have consistently pointed to weak vocal projection, a nasal delivery style, and limited facial expression as the recurring issues. That’s why some viewers question why she keeps landing lead roles. Moreover, people don’t like her singing, and she has been criticized for years because of it.
I wish kdramas could stop casting these idols who are basically very bad actors, not all but majority. Instead gove chance to better actors and actresses, someone who have theatre backgrounds. Source
Karina (aespa)
When dating news broke involving Karina and actor Lee Jae-wook, the response from parts of the fandom was intense. Karina posted a handwritten apology for fans. The apology itself became a flashpoint. Plenty of fans publicly defended her right to date privately, arguing the backlash was unwarranted. However, some upset fans were still not happy, feeling the apology wasn’t enough and still feeling betrayed. Reports also confirm fans drove a truck with the message “if the love, money, and time fans poured into buying albums and tickets were not enough to keep her satisfied”.
I didn’t get this back in 2010 when idols got shamed, and I don’t get it now. These people do not belong to fans and the sooner they realize this the better the world will become. Source
Sakura (LE SSERAFIM)
At the 2024 Coachella music festival, netizens heavily criticized LE SSERAFIM’s live performance. Fans criticize that after spending 14 years in the industry, Sakura’s vocals haven’t matched her level of fame. The 14-year time span includes her J-pop prodigy in HKT48 to K-pop icon in IZ*ONE and then in LE SSERAFIM. The group addressed the criticism directly during their fourth mini-album showcase later that year.
I agree the criticism was harsh but I would blame hybe for everything. They could have debuted them a year later with proper vocal training, Sakura already was bad vocalist in produce and she didn’t work on it all those 5years during and after izone. Source
Winter (Aespa)
Because of December 2025 dating rumors with Jungkook, Winter has faced aggressive campaigns from both fandoms. Angry fans sent LED protest trucks to both HYBE and SM Entertainment headquarters. One of the main messages written on the trucks outside SM Entertainment was “If you want to date loudly, live as ordinary citizen Kim Min-jeong, not aespa’s Winter.”
Don’t you all think it’s obvious that Jungkook and Winter are dating? Like the same clothes? Really? The usernames etc. Source
Belle (KISS OF LIFE )
Belle was recently criticized for a dance move in the song “Who Is She.” It featured a neck-grabbing move paired with hip movement. Some netizens called it overly sexualized and suggestive for a challenge format reaching younger audiences on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. During the livestream, Belle defended the performance as a deliberate choice aligned with their artistic identity.
Unfortunately, all of them are adults, and they likely understand that they’ve lost a large portion of their fan base. Actions have consequences. Source
Lisa (BLACKPINK)
Lisa performed at the famous adult Paris Cabaret Crazy Horse across three nights, September 28–30, 2023. Backlash began almost immediately after a leaked performance photo surfaced on September 29. Luxury brands, including Bvlgari and Celine, reportedly scrubbed photos of Lisa from their Chinese accounts. Fans felt it clashed with her idol image and worried about the visibility to younger fans. The story resurfaced again in mid-2024 when Crazy Horse itself used one of Lisa’s solo tracks in its own promotional material without her involvement.
Honestly, I support her as she is an adult and can do what she likes but i think at some point there should be a set boundary for stuff like this. Source
Wonyoung (IVE)
Fans hate her for everything: how she eats, stands, or smiles in ending fairy shots, and they label her as “pick me.” She faced intense online criticism for harmless actions like eating a strawberry with two hands, elegantly biting a pizza in a scripted commercial, and struggling to open a sealed bag of chips, with critics labeling her fake. Also some netizens hate her for a fan-signing event incident. She was posing for a photo while wearing a fan-gifted headband, then she removed it and allegedly throw back behind her chair.
I love Wonyoung, but she tried too hard to be pretty and cute. It’s kind of cringe to be honest. Source
Is There Specific Criteria for List of Hated K-pop Idols?
There is no specific ranking of hated K-pop idols. Just fans criticize them based on certain dance moves, clips, controversies, scandals, or anything else. Netizens hate them, but at the same scale, fandoms always protect their idols.
