Inside the dark world of K-pop: From gang-rape and sex club scandals to rampant drug abuse, leaked sex tapes and tragic suicides

The K-pop world has become accustomed to both scandal and tragedy over the years, with some of its biggest stars exposed as criminals, singers suffering from vile abuse and others falling victim to the pressures of the famously toxic industry.

The latest fiasco this week has seen Taeil, a major star from boy group NCT, dropped by his label after it emerged that he was being investigated over an unspecified sex offence.

It is by no means the first time K-pop has been rocked by allegations of…