Jun Hyo-seong

On February 28, 2018, it was reported that Hyoseong was in legal disputes with her agency TS Entertainment due to issues with not receiving payments.^[1] On March 5, Hyoseong's lawyer revealed that she had filed a civil lawsuit in September 2017 to confirm that her contract with the agency was no longer valid. Aside for the unreceived payments, her lawyer cited a transfer of the management rights conferred by her exclusive contract to another party without her consent. Her lawyer also stated that it would be unlikely of Hyoseong to remain a member of Secret while under TS Entertainment due to the lack of trust and communication between the agency and the singer.^[2]

On October 29, it was announced that she would return to the entertainment industry after signing with Tommy & Partners Entertainment.^[3] On November 14, the Seoul Western District Court ruled in Hyoseong's favor, confirming the invalidity of her contract with TS Entertainment and condemning the agency to pay her approximately 130 million won (approximately $114,840) in remaining down payments and unpaid wages.^[4][5]

1. "[공식입장] 시크릿 측 "해체? 원하면 활동가능..일부 멤버와 법적공방 중"" (in Korean). February 28, 2018. Archived from the original on March 7, 2018. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
2. [MD포커스] 전효성 VS TS엔터테인먼트, 정산 둘러싼 팽팽한 입장차이. MyDaily. March 28, 2018. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
3. Cite error: The named reference TOMMY was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
4. [엑's 현장] 法 "TS, 전효성에 1억3천만원 지급...전속계약 효력無". Xports News (in Korean). November 14, 2018. Archived from the original on December 4, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
5. Cite error: The named reference LEGAL was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

On December 11, 2012, Secret was involved in a traffic accident around 2:00 am when the van they were riding in hit an ice patch on the highway, which caused it to slide and veer off the road hitting the guardrail and flipping over.^[1] Hyoseong suffered minor injuries and had a cast put on on a previously injured knee, while fellow Secret member Zinger broke her ribs.^[2][3] Following the accident, Secret went into hiatus, stopping their "Talk That" song promotions.^[2]

During an appearance on SBS's TV show Strong Heart on January 22, 2013, Secret member Song Ji-eun explained how Hyoseong saved her life during the accident.^[4] She said:

Last year, after finishing our recording for Star King and heading home, our car was in an accident that caused it to flip over on the road. It hit a guard rail and dropped five meters below it. I was knocked out for a moment and woke up to the sound of the members calling my name. I found my lower body in the car but my upper half sticking out of a broken window. I was basically hanging upside down. There were glass shards right in front of my eyes and I knew I could have suffered a big injury if I was dropped. I started crying the minute I saw all of the glass. Then Hyoseong told me to stop crying and stay awake. When she asked where I was, I could hear their shock as I said that I was hanging outside. Hyoseong then said that she'll take me out. I felt someone grab my foot and felt Hyoseong use her leg to support the rest of my body. She had not yet recovered from a leg injury from last year and yet she still used her leg to hold me up. Hyoseong ended up injuring her leg again because of me.^[5]

1. 윤성열 (December 11, 2012). "시크릿, 교통사고 현장 '전복된 차량' 끔찍". Money Today (in Korean). Retrieved August 29, 2025.
2. Gil, Hye-sung (December 11, 2012). "시크릿, 연말가요제 前까지 스케줄 전면취소..안타까움 '밀물'" (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 11, 2025. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
3. "시크릿 빙판길 교통사고 ... "징거 갈비뼈 골절"" (in Korean). December 11, 2012. Archived from the original on October 1, 2025. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
4. "시크릿 송지은 "교통사고 때 전효성 덕분에 살았다"" (in Korean). January 23, 2013. Archived from the original on October 1, 2025. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
5. 송지은 "전복사고때 전효성 덕에 살았다...살신성인". Archived from the original on December 13, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2014.

Misuse of the word 'democratization'

During the May 14, 2013 broadcast of SBS Power FM's Choi Hwajung's Power Time, the four members of Secret participated in a game in which they were given two options and each member would say which one they preferred. The game was done in order to test the members' teamwork and see if they would agree on one thing and have the same set of answers.^[1] With the several pairs of choices given, the members of Secret were able to agree three times. After the MC declared this, Hyoseong then made a remark, stating:

저희는 개성을 존중하는 팀이거든요. 민주화시키지 않아요. (You see, we are a team that respects individuality. We don't force democratization.)

The term "Minjuhwa (민주화)", translated as democratization, defined as the transition from an authoritarian regime to a more democratic political regime, has been used by the conservative Ilbe online community as a slang term meaning 'the citizens create chaos', 'to destroy', or 'to oppress'.^[1][2] In response to this, netizens began claiming that Hyoseong has used the term "democratization" in a negative manner.^[3] Both TS Entertainment and Hyoseong apologized for using the word without knowing its meaning on Ilbe.^[2][4]

The controversy did not subside immediately, netizens pointed out this was not merely a personal issue for Hyoseong, but rather a reflection of the flawed historical awareness of the younger generation. Media outlets similarly condemned the blunder, framing it as a demonstration of extreme carelessness and a lack of basic knowledge among young celebrities who blindly parroted internet trends without research.^[5]

On May 20, 2013, Hyoseong issued another formal apology, explaining she had accidentally adopted the slang while monitoring online boards to check fan reactions. Seeing her own name attached to the phrase "democratized by Jun Hyoseong," she had mistakenly assumed it was a positive trending phrase meaning "to recommend something you like."^[6] Following the incident, the group’s public appearances were limited for a while, as several universities cancelled their scheduled festival performances citing student complaints against Hyoseong.^[7] She subsequently studied for and passed the official Korean History Proficiency Test.^[8][9]

Campaign appearance and public reaction

In 2021, Jun Hyo-seong appeared in a campaign video produced by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family addressing perceptions of dating violence as part of a public awareness campaign. In the video, she stated that she often felt concern about personal safety when returning home at night and emphasized the importance of a society where individuals can live freely without fear of violence.^[10]

Following the release of the campaign, the video received mixed public reactions online. Some users defended the campaign, emphasizing its focus on dating violence prevention and broader public safety concerns. Others criticized its framing, arguing in online communities that South Korea has relatively strong public safety conditions and that violence in public spaces can affect men as well, as well as referencing unrelated violent crime cases raised in discussion. These critics therefore questioned the framing of the campaign’s message.^[10][11] Some critics commented that the introduction of the term "gender-based violence" (gendeo-pokryeok) functioned as ideological rhetoric that framed men as potent criminals and default oppressors, and women as exclusive victims, thereby shifting the public debate from a universal message of safety into a polarized gender conflict.^[12][13]

The campaign also drew organized public criticism from the men’s rights group Shin Namnyeon Yeondae (신남성연대), which held a street demonstration opposing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. During the protest, the group used an image of Jun Hyo-seong from an episode of Saturday Night Live Korea in which she appeared in a cosplay costume exposing part of her chest and cleavage, displaying it on large banners and displays alongside slogans including “응, 누난 페미코인 못 타” (“You can’t ride the feminism coin”).^[14]

Media reports also noted that Jun had previously been active in entertainment under a “sexy concept” image highlighting her figure, which was also described in Korean media and online discourse as a “bagel girl” (베이글녀) image, and that criticism emerged online questioning the contrast between her earlier public image and her participation in the campaign. In addition, online discussions surrounding the campaign escalated into broader protest, with some users calling for the video’s removal.^[13]

Following the controversy, Jun temporarily stepped down from hosting her radio program schedule during the same period; however, her agency stated that the absence was due to scheduling reasons.^[13]

1. "전효성 "저희는 '민주화' 시키지 않아요" 논란" (in Korean). May 14, 2013. Archived from the original on October 1, 2025. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
2. "전효성 소속사, "전효성이 '민주화'라고 말한 까닭은…"" (in Korean). July 29, 2020. Archived from the original on October 11, 2025. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
3. "전효성 '일베' 용어 '민주화' 발언 논란" (in Korean). May 14, 2013. Archived from the original on October 1, 2025. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
4. "시크릿 전효성 사과, 민주화 발언…"정확한 뜻 몰랐다"" (in Korean). May 15, 2013. Archived from the original on October 11, 2025. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
5. "민주화…" 시크릿 전효성, 일베식 발언 논란…일베측 '애국보수돌' 맞불 ["Democratization..." Secret's Jun Hyoseong, Controversy Over Ilbe-Style Remark... Ilbe Side Counters with 'Patriotic Conservative Idol']. Newsis (in Korean). May 14, 2013. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
6. 시크릿 전효성 '민주화 발언' 재차 사과 [Secret's Jun Hyosung Apologizes Again for 'Democratization Remarks']. News1 (in Korean). May 20, 2013. Archived from the original on June 30, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
7. Yoon, Min-sik (August 22, 2013). "Crayon Pop's alleged connection to far-right website touches nerve". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on August 19, 2025. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
8. Kim, Ja-ah (March 2, 2025). "뼈저리게 반성했다"…말실수한 전효성, 역사 공부 결심한 이유 ["I deeply regretted it"… Jun Hyo-seong, who made a slip of the tongue, explains why she decided to study history]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 2, 2025. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
9. Choi, Jong-il (March 2, 2025). “말 실수 너무 챙피해, 한국사검정 땄다”…전효성, 일베 논란 회상 [“I was so embarrassed by my slip of the tongue, I passed the Korean History Proficiency Test”… Jun Hyosung recalls the Ilbe controversy]. Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 2, 2025. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
10. 전효성 "데이트 폭력, 이건 분명 범죄" 소신 발언에 네티즌 갑론을박 [Netizens Debate Over Jun Hyo-seong's Stance: "Dating Violence Is Clearly a Crime"]. Newsis (in Korean). October 29, 2021. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021 – via The Chosun Ilbo.
11. "여가부, 전효성 영상 내려라" vs "데이트 폭력이 뭔지 모르나"(종합) ["Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Take down Jun Hyo-seong Video" vs. "Don't You Know What Dating Violence Is?"]. Newsis (in Korean). November 1, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
12. Koo, Ja-yoon (October 29, 2021). 전효성, 데이트폭력 소신 발언에 "페미냐" vs "이게 왜?" [Jun Hyo-seong's outspoken remarks on dating violence spark "Are you a feminist?" vs. "What's the big deal?"]. The Financial News (in Korean). Retrieved October 29, 2021.
13. Baek, Ji-eun (November 16, 2021). [종합] "베이글녀 마녀사냥"…전효성, 데이트폭력 반대→여가부 해체시위 조롱→라디오 불참 [[Roundup] "Bagel Girl Witch Hunt"... Jun Hyosung, Opposes Dating Violence → Mocking Protest for Dissolution of Ministry of Gender Equality → Absence from Radio Show]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved November 16, 2021 – via The Chosun Ilbo.
14. Choi, Seo-young (November 16, 2021). 전효성 가슴골 내건 '신남성연대'…"응 누난 페미코인 못 타"[영상] [Jun Hyosung flaunts cleavage in 'New Men's Solidarity'... "Nope, you can't ride the feminist bandwagon" [Video]]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 10, 2025. Retrieved November 16, 2021.

무릎 연골 파열과 발등 골절

2011년 11월 23일 전효성이 숙소에서 나오다 계단에서 넘어져 왼쪽 무릎 연골이 파열되고 오른쪽 발등이 골절되는 부상을 입었다.^[1] 이로 인해 시크릿의 잔여 활동은 전효성을 제외한 3인 체제로 진행되었다.

'민주화' 발언 논란과 해명

2013년 5월 14일 SBS 파워FM의 라디오 프로그램인 ‘최화정의 파워타임’에서 “저희는 개성을 존중하는 팀이다. 민주화시키지 않는다”라고 하였다. 참고로 '민주화'는 디시인사이드에서 유래되어, 현재는 보수우파 커뮤니티 사이트 일베저장소에서 주로 사용하는 단어이다. 이에 논란이 일자 "일베 같은 곳은 모른다"라고 밝혔다.^[2]

개인정보 유출 사건

2013년 11월 11일 한 인터넷 커뮤니티사이트에 전효성의 대학시절 개인정보를 담은 사진 한장이 떠돌아다니며 개인정보가 유출되었다.^[3] 다행이 피해는 경미하며 소속사측은 학교 측에 사과받은 상태이며 법적대응은 없다고 밝혔다.^[4]

페이스북 사칭 사건

2014년 3월 12일 전효성을 사칭한 페이스북 계정이 있다는 것이 확인되었으며 소속사 측은 공식 트위터를 통해 전효성이 사용하고 있는 페이스북 계정은 없다고 밝혔다.^[5]

여성가족부 데이트폭력 희망그림 캠페인 영상 논란

• 관련 유튜브 영상 : (여가부 공식 유튜브) 🎨희망그림 캠페인🎨 8편│데이트폭력을 관대하게 바라보는 시선이 사라지길 바라는 ⭐️전효성

2021년 10월 25일 여성가족부 공식 유튜브 영상에 출연한 전효성이 데이트 폭력 주제에 관한 이야기를 한 것이 논란이 되었다. "살아서 집에 갈 수 있을까" 등의 영상 내 표현이 남성들로부터 '지나치게 피해망상적이냐'는 문제 제기로부터 비판을 받고 있다.

이 논란은 서울특별시 성동구의 40대 남성이 당시 만취상태에 있는 20대 여성에게 수차례 폭행을 당한 사건과 관련하여 이 남성이 '보배드림'이라는 온라인 커뮤니티 게시판 사이트를 통해 여성가족부의 데이트 폭력을 다룬 영상에서 여성가족부에 영상 삭제를 요청한다는 글을 올림으로서 시작되었다.^[6]

글쓴이인 이 남성은 자신을 가장이라고 소개하며 다 큰 성인이 되지 않은 자녀들 앞에서 20대 여성이 술취한 상태로 무차별적으로 수십번 맞아 폭행을 당하고 성추행범이라고 비난당해 신체적인 피해를 받고 모욕감을 느꼈다고 했고, 여성가족부가 세금만 낭비한다는 비판을 받고 있다는 것을 언급하며 이 영상을 만드느라 정작 자신이 당한 그 사건은 죽어라 거들떠보지도 않고, 도리어 '편 가르기'를 주장하냐고 불만을 표출하면서 여성가족부의 이 영상을 내려달라고 요청하고 자신이야말로 이 '<안전한 대한민국>'에서 살고 싶다고 했다.

자신이 당한 이 사건을 풀이하면서 술취한 상태의 여성에게 휴대폰 모서리로 깜깜한 밤에 수십 차례 지속적으로 맞아 생명의 위협을 느끼기도 했으며, 만에 하나 죽을 지도 모르는 그 순간 도망가지 못하게 손목만 잡았는데 외려 자신을 성추행범이라고 경찰에 말하기까지 했고, '하지 말라'며 외부에서 말리는 주변 사람에게 욕을 하고 폭행을 했다. 또한 성인이 되지 않은 자녀들 앞에서 이 사건 장면(원본에서는 '4D 스릴러물'로 승화하여 표현)을 반강제로 10분이상 볼 수 밖에 없다고 했다.

그러면서 여가부에 다시 한 번 자신이 겪은 사건에 제발 신경 좀 써달라, 시간이 되면 간단한 입장 발표를 해달라고 간곡히 말했으며, 자신이야말로 그 누구보다 그 <안전한 대한민국>을 바라며 기대하고 있다고 했다.

이렇게 만취상태에 있던 여성에게 수차례로 폭행 당한 40대 가장이 자신의 상황을 털어놓으면서 문제를 제기하자 한 여초 커뮤니티 사이트 게시물 에서는 해당 영상은 데이트 폭력을 근절하자는 취지로 제작된 영상 그 자체를 중점적으로 다루는 것인데 "데이트 폭력이 뭔지 모르냐"며 반발했다. 또한 "술에 취한 여자에게 길가다가 폭행 당한 남성의 사건이 데이트 폭력과 도대체 무슨 상관이 있냐는 거냐", "만취한 그 여자를 고소하세요"라고 적은 댓글이 많은 공감을 받았다.^[7]

2021-11-05 기준 영상의 좋아요 수는 26,000이 넘고(47.7%), 싫어요 수는 29,000(52.3%) 이 넘었다. 또한 출연진인 전효성 유튜브 채널 중 최근에 올린 영상의 좋아요 수가 10,000의 절반을 조금 넘는 동안 싫어요 수가 10,000을 돌파하여 각각 36.6%, 63.4% (≈3:5)의 비율을 차지하였고, 두 번째로 최근에 올린 영상 역시 맨 최근에 올린 영상과 비율이 비슷하다.

1. ‘4주 부상’ 시크릿 효성 “집에서 휴식 중…걱정끼쳐드려 죄송” 헤럴드 경제 2011-11-23
2. “전효성 민주화 발언 논란 "일베에서 사용하는 부정적 '민주화' 뜻 사용"”. 2015년 9월 24일에 원본 문서에서 보존된 문서. 2014년 5월 12일에 확인함. 
3. 전효성, 대학 관련 개인정보 유출?…소속사 "학교 측에 확인 중" 마이데일리 2013-11-11
4. 전효성 측 "노출 수준 경미, 법적 대응 없다" 보관됨 2014-08-10 - 웨이백 머신 엑스포츠뉴스 2013-11-12
5. 전효성 사칭한 페이스북 페이지들 살펴보니 wikitree 2014-03-12
6. 서울신문 “여가부 ‘전효성 영상’ 내려달라”…만취녀 폭행 당한 40대男 분노-“폭력, 여자 아닌 누구라도 당할 수 있어”
7. 뉴시스, '여가부, 전효성 영상 내려라' vs '데이트 폭력이 뭔지 모르나'(종합)