From Kunal Kamra to Kim Soo-hyun: The trial by social media that leaves careers in ruins

UPDATED: Mar 25, 2025 23:02 IST

Cancel culture is a ruthless, double-edged sword—one day you're a star, the next, your fans want your existence erased. Nowhere is this more brutal than in South Korea, where public scrutiny can be career-ending, even life-threatening. Bollywood and Hollywood have their own graveyards of the cancelled. But when does holding someone accountable turn into a public execution?

The Unforgiving Reality of South Korean Cancel Culture

South Korea's entertainment industry operates under an ironclad social contract: celebrities must be flawless, morally upright, and beyond reproach. One misstep, no matter how minor, can lead to complete social ostracisation. The K-pop and K-drama industries are notorious for their rigorous image control, and public outrage can dismantle an actor's or idol's career overnight.

Actor Kim Soo-hyun, known for his roles in It's Okay to Not Be Okay and My Love from the Star, found himself at the centre of a scandal when allegations surfaced about his relationship with Kim Sae-ron. The controversy spiralled after her tragic passing at the age of 24, with unverified claims that their relationship began when she was a minor. Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, quickly dismissed the allegations, but the damage was done. He lost nearly a million followers on Instagram, faced an avalanche of online harassment, and lucrative endorsements like Prada severed ties with him. The resurfacing of old videos showing him allegedly striking fans during meet-and-greets only fueled the fire, making his situation even more precarious.

Kim Sae-ron herself had already suffered the unforgiving wrath of cancel culture following a DUI incident. Despite issuing multiple apologies and attempting to make amends, the public refused to forgive her, and she was effectively blacklisted from the industry. The relentless backlash contributed to her emotional distress, highlighting the brutal nature of Korean cancel culture where there is often no room for redemption.

Bollywood's Selective Outrage

While cancel culture in Bollywood is not as swift or unforgiving as in South Korea, it still operates in insidious ways, often intertwined with media trials and public outrage. The case of Rhea Chakraborty serves as a striking example.

In 2020, the tragic death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput turned into a national spectacle, with his girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty becoming the prime target of media outrage and cancel culture. She was vilified, accused of abetting suicide, and even labelled a "witch" by the media. Despite the lack of evidence linking her to Rajput's death, the court of public opinion had already condemned her. Brands distanced themselves, she lost acting opportunities, and her reputation was in shambles. Years later, even as she attempts to rebuild her career, the stigma remains.

Rhea Chakraborty herself spoke out against the unfairness of cancel culture, stating, "It is a witch hunt. You are a woman, he was a big star, so you must be manipulative, right? Someone even told me my worth—what is my worth? My worth is that I loved Sushant."

Meanwhile, Salman Khan has emerged as one of Bollywood's rare figures immune to cancel culture. Despite being involved in multiple controversies—including a hit-and-run case, alleged poaching of blackbucks, and accusations of domestic abuse—his career remains unscathed. His fandom is unwavering, and his films continue to be box-office successes.

Hollywood: Redemption or Ruin?

Cancel culture in Hollywood, though intense, differs in that there is often a path to redemption. Some stars like Johnny Depp and Robert Downey Jr. have managed to stage comebacks despite controversies. However, the industry is also plagued by a dark side beyond cancel culture: stalkers and parasocial obsessions.

Drew Barrymore, a Hollywood icon, recently faced a terrifying situation when a stalker attempted to break into her home. This same stalker later followed her to an event. Taylor Swift and Sandra Bullock have also encountered obsessive fans crossing dangerous boundaries. The culture of idolisation in Hollywood breeds an entitlement among fans that makes celebrities vulnerable to real-world threats, adding another layer of distress beyond just cancel culture.

The Role of Social Media and the Psychological Toll

Cancel culture is deeply tied to the loneliness epidemic that plagues modern society. With the rise of social media, many people have developed parasocial relationships with celebrities—one-sided emotional attachments where fans feel a personal connection to public figures. This creates an unrealistic expectation for perfection. When celebrities fail to meet these expectations, fans react with intense betrayal, leading to outrage and cancellation.

Platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok have created an illusion of closeness between celebrities and fans. Fans believe they "know" their favorite stars personally, leading to extreme reactions when they perceive any wrongdoing. This sense of ownership over celebrities' lives fuels the brutality of cancel culture.

The psychological burden on public figures is immense. The relentless scrutiny and fear of being "cancelled" contribute to severe anxiety, depression, and, in tragic cases, suicide. The deaths of K-pop idols like Sulli and Goo Hara, both victims of cyberbullying and cancel culture, highlight the urgent need for systemic change.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Cancel culture, at its core, is meant to hold people accountable. However, the line between accountability and mob justice has become increasingly blurred. In South Korea, celebrities are often left with no path to redemption. In Bollywood, selective outrage determines who suffers and who thrives. In Hollywood, cancel culture coexists with an unsettling level of celebrity worship that turns into dangerous obsession.

The question remains: Should we continue to participate in a culture that destroys lives without room for redemption? Or is it time to reevaluate how we hold public figures accountable in a way that is fair, just, and humane?