After Kim Soo Hyun, Prada Ambassador Accused of Affair with Married 40-Year-Old Actor — Is the Prada Curse Real?
A wave of scandals has plagued Asian celebrities who once served as Prada ambassadors, from personal controversies to legal troubles, sparking widespread talk online about the so-called “Prada Curse.”
A String of Scandals Taints Prada Ambassadors
As one of the world’s leading luxury fashion houses, Prada has long collaborated with top Asian stars as brand ambassadors to boost its global presence. However, in recent years, the Italian fashion giant seems to have been caught in a whirlwind of scandals, with numerous representatives facing major controversies that have damaged both their own reputations and the brand’s image.
The latest bombshell involves Japanese actress Nagano Mei, who made headlines on April 23 when Japanese media published photos and reports accusing her of having an affair with Tanaka Kei, a 40-year-old married actor. Rumors also swirled about her alleged involvement with a South Korean male celebrity.
Nagano, once dubbed “Japan’s most beautiful crying actress,” is now under fire for the alleged affair.
Meanwhile, Red Velvet’s Irene was harshly criticized for mistreating a stylist shortly after she was named Prada’s ambassador. Following the backlash, there have been no further updates about her partnership with the brand.
Actor Kim Soo Hyun was dropped from a Prada campaign after facing rumors of a romantic connection with the late actress Kim Sae Ron. Chinese actor Li Yifeng was arrested for soliciting prostitution in 2022 and had his contract terminated by Prada soon afterward.
EXO’s Chanyeol was also embroiled in scandal after being accused of cheating on his girlfriend with more than 10 women. Although Prada made no official statement about ending their collaboration, the public outrage was intense.
K-Celebs and C-Celebs: Prada Ambassadors in Hot Water
In China, actress Zheng Shuang caused nationwide outrage when she was accused of abandoning her surrogate twins in the U.S. and later faced tax evasion charges. Just a week after the scandal exploded, Prada cut ties with her. In August 2021, Zheng was fined over 299 million yuan (approx. 46 million USD) for tax evasion.
Next came Cai Xukun, a singer who debuted with the boy group Nine Percent. He was rumored to have fathered a child and paid a woman after she had an abortion. The woman alleged that his mother hired a private investigator to track her. Cai admitted to the relationship, saying it was consensual. After the controversy, he parted ways with Prada but was later signed by Versace in 2024.
In Taiwan (China), actor Kai Ko (Ko Chen-tung) was arrested for marijuana use shortly after becoming a Prada ambassador. Although he has since returned to acting, his career suffered significant setbacks.
A Risky Choice for a Global Brand
Not all of Prada’s ambassadors have been caught up in scandals, but the growing list of controversies has led many to believe in the so-called “Prada Curse.”
On Chinese social media, hashtags related to the trend have garnered over 300 million views. Many netizens responded with a mix of humor and sympathy.
"Being a Prada ambassador is now a dangerous job. Good luck to the next one!" one user joked.
"I suggest Prada visit a temple for a blessing before announcing any new ambassador," another quipped.
However, some people are viewing the issue from a deeper perspective, suggesting that the string of scandals reflects the entertainment industry's growing obsession with social media fame.
Industry experts note that as living standards and consumer demand rise, luxury brands can no longer rely solely on design or legacy to drive sales. Instead, they increasingly depend on celebrity influence to boost performance.
Collaborating with high-profile stars has become an essential part of many luxury labels’ marketing strategies — and Prada is no exception. But choosing influencers based on social media numbers can be a double-edged sword. The right ambassador can bring immense exposure, while the wrong one can trigger damaging consequences.
That’s why many are now calling for a shift in criteria — suggesting that instead of focusing solely on fame and online reach, brands should also prioritize the ambassador’s character, ability to spread positive energy, and alignment with the brand’s core values.
