The entertainment business: a statistical analysis of what happens after stars find trouble

A mother with a large brood never has a peaceful day. It's the same for the entertainment business. There are drugs, drunk driving, violence, gambling, education fraud and more. The patterns for those stars who find themselves in trouble are similar. They take some time of to self reflect and return.

The period of self reflection differs according to the severity of the problem and the star's profession. Drunk driving can be seen as needing the shortest period of self reflection. The average turned out to be only about 6.6 months. Drug cases take more than 20 months to recover from. Only after about two years could stars come out in front of fans with their heads down.

However, the same doesn't go for idols and mega-popular stars. The average is just a number, but it seems the more popular you are, the faster you return. The idol's average period of self reflection period is 5.8 months. This is only half the time required for other regular singers who get into trouble.

The averages were calculated on the basis of 40 celebrities who have caused a public scandal over the last seven years, from 2006 to 2012. They have been categorized according to case and profession. Stars who have still not come back since their 'accidents' have not been counted.

◆ Sorted by case – drunk driving and education forgery is easy to come back from, drugs are harsher

The five major kinds of cases that stars often find trouble with: drunk driving, violence, gambling, education forgery and drugs. By calculating the starting time of the scandal and when the star returns to work, drunk driving and car accidents required the shortest hiatus. The average showed it to be 6.6 months. On the other hand drugs resulted in an average of more than 20 months out of the public eye.

There are about 20 stars who have caused a stir with car accidents.Kim Jae-joong(1 month),Daesung(6 months), Sin Hye-seong (16 months), Kim Yong-joon (12 months) and others spent a period of self-reflection averaging about 6.6 months before coming back to the public eye. Compared to problems with violence, gambling and drugs, this was relatively short and easy time away.

Those who committed education fraud also came back easily. Those who did so total five stars over the seven years.Choi Hwa-jeong(0 days), Joo Yeong-hoon (9 months),Choi Soo-jong(8 months),Yoon Seok-hwa(15 months) andJang Mi-hee(5 months). Their average time away was 7.4 months.

Violence or gambling charges require at least a years time of self reflection. Those involved include:Lee Hyeok-jae(23 months), Kim Tae-hyeon (2 months),Choi Cheol-ho(21 months) and five more stars. Their average time away was 13 months. Gambling also required more than 12 months. Only comedianKim Joon-horeturned after 7 months, butSin Jeong-hwanandLee Seong-jinare still taking time off.

Drug charges take a long time for one to return from. Seven stars were criticized as being involved with drugs over the last seven years. They areG-Dragon(0 days), Jeon In-kwon (38 months),Ko Ho-kyeong(9 months) and more. They took an average of 20 months away from work before they returned to work again. IfG-Dragondidn't decrease the average so much, it would have been more than 23 months.

◆ Sorted by profession – "Idols return quick... compared to normal singers"

The time spent self-reflecting differed according to profession as well. The idols recovered fastest, returning after 5.8 months. On the other hand, normal singers had to take more time and spend at least 13 months away.

Out of all the stars who created public trouble, there were four idols.G-Dragon(0 days) got caught with marijuana and JYJ'sKim Jae-joong(1 month) was charged with drunk driving.G-Dragonwas so bold as to do an advertisement on the day he got caught.

Comedians were next. Six comedians have caused trouble before. They areKim Joon-ho(7 months), Hwan Hyeon-hee (5 months), Park Seong-ho (5 months) and more. Their troubles were different but they spent an average of 8.5 months self-reflecting.

Actors were mostly involved with drunk driving. Their average time off was 9.4 months. They then came back with a drama or a play. The stars with the longest time off were normal singers. They spent 13 months away and came back on stage with new albums.

◆ Rule of Self Reflection? – "Does popularity trump criticism from society?

So many stars have gotten into trouble and then come back. But there is a regular rule to this. The nature of the crime is controlled by common social assumptions regarding the severity of the crime. Looking at the time spent away according to case, 'drugs' required 20 months, 'violence' 13 months, 'education' 7.4 months and 'drunk driving' 6.6 months.

Social critic Lee Moon-won said, "Drunk driving happens to regular people too. As it's familiar, the come back period is quicker too. However, drug use reflects more strongly on the person's image. It implies some betrayal and hostility towards society and the stars take a longer time to come back".

Popularity helps shorten the come back period. Idols have the fastest returning period. OBC producer Jo Min-jae said, "Idols have fans who are generous to those they love. Although they've caused trouble, it's alright with the fans".

There is no time away required by law. Also, time away doesn't necessarily mean that one has spent the time self-reflecting. However, we do need to consider the social sentiment. Looking back on wrongs and asking for forgiveness is one way to allow fans to greet a star back with open arms.