Blackpink's Jisoo (31) has taken a decisive step to distance herself from her older brother, Kim Jung-hoon, following a series of serious allegations that have rocked her family. According to YouTube commentator Lee Jin-ho, the family reportedly cut off all contact with Kim as early as May 2025, well before the allegations became public. The trigger was an anonymous post on the job community platform Blind, accusing Kim of secretly filming a sexual act and possessing illegal recordings of other women.
The situation escalated on April 15, 2025, when Kim was arrested in Seoul on suspicion of sexually coercing an internet streamer. However, the arrest warrant was later rejected by the prosecution due to insufficient evidence, as reported by Allkpop. This legal development has left the case in a gray area, but the damage to Kim’s reputation—and his relationship with his famous sister—appears irreversible.
Lee Jin-ho detailed on his YouTube channel that Kim was still working for Jisoo’s company at the time of the anonymous post. After the allegations emerged, Kim reportedly changed his phone number and cut direct contact without explanation. The family’s trust was completely shattered. In a revealing incident, Lee noted that when the drama "Boyfriend on Demand," which started airing in March, mentioned Kim by name, Jisoo immediately requested that his name be removed. The correction cost her over 10 million won (approximately 5,783 euros), which she personally paid. On April 22, she abruptly cancelled a planned airport appearance and flew to Cannes instead.
Jisoo’s agency, BLISSOO, responded with an official statement issued through the law firm Kim & Chang. The statement clarified that the allegations against Kim have no connection to Jisoo or the company. It acknowledged that family members had provided limited help during the initial phase of setting up the company but are not involved in management and are not compensated. The agency emphasized that Jisoo has lived independently since her trainee days and has no knowledge of the private matters of her family members.
Background on Jisoo and her rise to fame
Kim Ji-soo, known mononymously as Jisoo, is the eldest member of Blackpink, the record-breaking K-pop girl group from YG Entertainment. Born on January 3, 1995, in Gunpo, Gyeonggi Province, she joined YG as a trainee in 2011 and debuted with Blackpink in August 2016. The group’s debut single album "Square One" produced hits like "Whistle" and "Boombayah," shooting them to instant fame. Over the years, Blackpink has become a global phenomenon, breaking numerous records on YouTube, Billboard, and Spotify, and amassing a loyal fanbase known as Blinks.
Jisoo has also built a successful solo career. In 2023, she released her debut solo album "ME," which featured the title track "FLOWER"—a song that became a viral hit. She has also ventured into acting, starring in the JTBC drama "Snowdrop" (2021–2022), which, despite initial controversy, earned her praise for her performance. In early 2025, she starred in the drama "Boyfriend on Demand," which became entangled in the controversy due to the mention of her brother’s name.
Throughout her career, Jisoo has maintained a relatively private personal life, rarely discussing her family in public. Her older brother, Kim Jung-hoon, has occasionally been seen at Blackpink events and was known to have some involvement in her business affairs. However, the current allegations have forced the family to confront a painful situation.
Details of the allegations against Kim Jung-hoon
The allegations against Kim Jung-hoon first surfaced on Blind, a popular anonymous community platform for verified professionals in South Korea. The anonymous poster claimed that Kim had secretly filmed a sexual encounter without the partner's consent and that he possessed illegal recordings of other women. These accusations quickly spread across social media and news outlets, putting immense pressure on Jisoo to respond.
On April 15, 2025, Kim was arrested on suspicion of sexually coercing a woman—specifically, a streamer who works as an internet broadcaster. The arrest was reported by multiple Korean news sources, but the prosecution later rejected the arrest warrant, citing a lack of evidence. This does not mean the allegations are false; rather, it indicates that the prosecution found insufficient grounds for detention at the time. The investigation may be ongoing.
The streamer who came forward has not been publicly identified, and her legal team has not commented on the case. It is unclear if further evidence will be submitted. The rejection of the warrant has fueled mixed reactions among the public, with some believing in Kim’s innocence and others insisting that the authorities did not properly handle the case. The ambiguity has made it difficult for Jisoo’s family to navigate the situation.
Jisoo’s response and family dynamics
According to Lee Jin-ho, the family’s decision to cut ties with Kim came long before the public knew about the Blind post. He claimed that the family confronted Kim after the post appeared, and Kim’s abrupt change of phone number without warning was the final straw. The situation left Jisoo and her parents devastated. Lee’s information suggests that the family has not spoken to Kim since and intends to keep that distance.
Jisoo’s choice to pay for the name correction in "Boyfriend on Demand" herself shows her determination to separate her professional work from her brother’s controversies. The drama had already finished filming, and the mention of his name was likely an oversight. Removing it cost a significant amount of money—over 10 million won—but Jisoo prioritized protecting her reputation.
Cancelling her airport appearance on April 22 was another strategic move. She was scheduled to fly out for a schedule, likely related to the Cannes Film Festival, where she has attended in the past as a brand ambassador for Dior. By skipping the public departure, she avoided questions from reporters and minimized media attention on her personal life. Instead, she traveled privately to Cannes, where she focused on her professional commitments.
The official statement from BLISSOO makes it clear that Jisoo is not involved in any way and that her brother’s actions have nothing to do with her or the company. The agency emphasized that she has been financially and domestically independent since her teenage years, when she started training as a K-pop idol. This statement aims to reassure fans and the public that Jisoo is a victim of circumstance, not a participant in any wrongdoing.
Broader context: K-pop idol scandals and family involvement
This is not the first time a K-pop idol has been affected by the actions of a family member. In 2019, the brother of another female idol was involved in a controversy over alleged fraud, and the idol was forced to issue a public apology. Family members of idols often live in the shadow of their famous relatives, but when misconduct occurs, the idol’s career can suffer collateral damage.
The situation is particularly sensitive because Jisoo is a member of Blackpink, a group with immense global influence. Any controversy can have repercussions not only for Jisoo but also for the group as a whole, including upcoming projects and brand endorsements. Blackpink’s members—Jennie, Lisa, Rosé, and Jisoo—each have massive individual followings, and their team carefully manages their public images.
K-pop agencies typically have strict policies regarding the personal lives of their artists, but they have limited control over family members. In this case, BLISSOO acted quickly to distance Jisoo legally and publicly. The use of a prestigious law firm like Kim & Chang signals that the agency is taking the matter seriously and is prepared to defend Jisoo’s reputation.
The Korean public has shown mixed reactions. Some netizens sympathize with Jisoo, arguing that she should not be held responsible for her brother’s alleged crimes. Others believe that she should have been more transparent about her brother’s involvement in her business earlier. However, the majority of comments on Korean forums have been supportive of Jisoo, praising her swift action to cut ties.
International fans, especially Blinks, have rallied behind Jisoo. Twitter trends and Instagram comments have been flooded with messages of support, using hashtags like WeLoveYouJisoo and SupportJisoo. Many have criticized the media for dragging her name into the controversy.
As of now, Kim Jung-hoon has not made any public statement. It is unclear if he will contest the allegations or attempt to restore contact with his family. The case remains a developing story, and further legal developments could change the narrative. For Jisoo, the priority is to continue her career and maintain the trust of her fans. Her upcoming schedule includes endorsements for Dior and possibly new music projects with Blackpink, as the group has hinted at a comeback in late 2025.
This incident serves as a reminder that even the most successful idols face personal trials. Jisoo’s handling of the crisis—decisive, transparent, and legally robust—may set a precedent for how celebrities manage family scandals in the future.
Source: Promiflash.de News