In a matter of days, three big names in South Korea's entertainment industry have made headlines in separate scandals that could derail their careers.
The allegations that have embroiled comedians Park Na-rae and Cho Sae-ho, as well as veteran actor Cho Jin-woong, are all different - ranging from workplace abuse to previous teenage detention to associations with a gang member.
But the results have been the same: departures from the television screens where they had worked their way up to become household names.
The scandals have also raised questions about the standards to which South Korea's public figures are held - especially in the entertainment industry.
What are the scandals about?
Park Na-rae, one of the country's most successful female comedians, made headlines last week when two of her former managers lodged criminal complaints claiming she had verbally abused and physically assaulted them.
The 40-year-old had also made them do her personal chores, they alleged.
Park has denied these allegations and sued the former managers for blackmail, her agency said over the weekend.
She is separately being accused of receiving IV drips illegally at home, which violates the local medical law, prompting a police investigation.
On Monday, Park Na-rae announced on social media that she had talked things through with her accusers, but would halt all broadcasting activities until things were clearly resolved.
As a comedian whose job is to bring laughter and joy, I cannot continue to be a burden to my programmes and colleagues, she wrote on social media.
A Closer Look at Cho Sae-ho
Another comedian who has come under scrutiny over the past week is Cho Sae-ho.
Rumours started swirling last week that the 43-year-old was friends with a prominent local gang member and had received money to promote the latter's business.
Backlash came swiftly, as social media users demanded that Cho Sae-ho be removed from the popular variety shows he hosted, You Quiz on the Block and Two Days and One Night.
On Tuesday, Cho Sae-ho's agency announced that he would leave the shows - though it denied his links to the gang's business activities.
In a social media statement, Cho Sae-ho said he should have been more careful with the people he met at events.
Lastly, veteran actor Cho Jin-woong announced his retirement from acting amid allegations of robbery and sexual assault from his teenage years.
A Debate Over Cancel Culture
The allegations facing Cho Jin-woong have stirred heated debate about how much public figures should be forgiven for past mistakes.
Opinions vary widely on social media, with some questioning the need for his retirement, while others argue that his past actions could retraumatize his victims.
The recent string of celebrity scandals has intensified discussions on the standards of accountability for celebrities in South Korea, where reputation and popularity can quickly crumble under public scrutiny.
Culture critic Kim Sung-soo noted that the public correction of unacceptable behavior often leads to the erasure of visible public figures from the industry.
As these celebrities promise to reflect on their actions, the audience too is prompted to reevaluate how celebrities are treated and the dynamics of cancel culture.
