NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang has become the latest public figure to face intense scrutiny following an appearance on the popular South Korean talk show You Quiz on the Block.
The controversy follows reports that Huang acknowledged a romantic relationship with a woman identified by US intelligence as a suspected agent for the Chinese Ministry of State Security, according to biz.heraldcorp.com.
The revelation has triggered a wave of online commentary regarding the so-called “You Quiz curse,” a recurring internet meme describing a pattern where guests face personal or legal scandals shortly after appearing on the program. As Koreaboo reported, the backlash is particularly sharp because Huang appeared on the show just five months ago, where he presented a devoted family image alongside his wife and daughter.
The perception of a “curse” has expanded beyond South Korean entertainers to include global business leaders. Biz.heraldcorp.com noted that Microsoft founder Bill Gates, who appeared on the show in August 2023 to discuss his philanthropic goals, later faced scrutiny regarding his past ties to Jeffrey Epstein and admitted to affairs with two Russian women.
The pattern has also affected figures involved in high-profile legal and ethical disputes.
ASTRO member Cha Eunwoo appeared on the program in May 2024, only to face public criticism earlier that year regarding a multi-billion won tax arrears notice from the National Tax Service. While Cha later paid the 13 billion KRW (approximately $9.70 million USD) assessment, he has filed an appeal with the Tax Tribunal to challenge the decision, Koreaboo stated.
The recent timeline of controversies highlights how quickly public perception can shift for show guests. Chef Im Sung Geun, a participant in Culinary Class Wars 2, appeared on You Quiz on January 14. Just four days later, he admitted to multiple past drunk driving offenses, leading to a suspension of his broadcasting career, according to Koreaboo.
Other notable cases cited by online commentators include: * Lee Jae-young and Lee Da-young: The volleyball stars faced school bullying allegations after their April 2020 appearance. * Kang Young-kwon: The former Edison Motors chairman was sentenced to three years in prison for stock price manipulation after his October 2020 interview. * Cargirl: The YouTube automotive couple faced criticism in August 2020 for misrepresenting vehicle ownership shortly after their feature.
* What is the “You Quiz curse“? It is a viral online term used by netizens to describe a recurring phenomenon where guests on the tvN program You Quiz on the Block become embroiled in personal, financial, or legal scandals shortly after their appearance. According to biz.heraldcorp.com, Huang acknowledged the romantic relationship and issued an apology, and the company’s board has launched an independent investigation into the matter.
* Are all guests affected by these controversies? No. The “curse” is an internet meme and social media trend rather than a statistical pattern; it relies on the high visibility of the show’s guests, which makes any subsequent negative news significantly more noticeable to the public.
The “You Quiz controversy relay” remains a topic of active discussion, as the show’s focus on success stories and intimate life details appears to heighten the public shock when guests later face allegations. Former regular MC Jo Se Ho also stepped down from the program last December amid investigations into his business associations, leaving the future of his career uncertain.