The scary side of K-Pop
Koreans have taken over the music industries all around the world. With its rich and diverse content, it has transcended the language barriers but, at a cost! This glamorous world of K-pop is not that bright as it looks. There is another side of it where the idols are not stars but almost slaves of their management companies.
There are more than 100 K-pop groups in South Korea.
This genre of music started in 1992 as the first K-pop group, Seo Taiji was formed.
Bands like BTS, EXO, Blackpink, are from 3rd generation of K-pop and currently, 4th generation is going on with groups like TXT, Aespa, etc.
From bearing starvation to getting surgeries done, these Korean idols do everything to fit into the perfect persona of Korean beauty standards.
Their start as a trainee:
In South Korea, idol management companies move millions and employ thousands. Parents send their kids into these companies, so they can debut as a K-pop star one day. These kids have to follow the exhausting dancing and singing practice routines.
Their debut is not guaranteed. Because the Korean industry is obsessed with perfectionism. They prefer idols who have pretty faces, flawless skins and skinny bodies. In order to be this thin, they follow a strict diet that sometimes is not even enough! An anonymous trainee revealed "I used to consume only 300 calories a day with the dance practices" Isn't that insane?
K-pop trainees:
The trainees are not even allowed to date and sometimes go back to their homes. They remain in the company's training center until their contract lasts. These unhealthy conditions sometimes lead to the trainees getting ill chronically and psychological damaged.
After their debut
Debuting as a K-pop idol is a great deal. Once they become a K-pop idol, they are not allowed to wear clothes of their style, produce music of their own taste, and even meet people of their choice. There is a proper dating ban that these companies put on the idols and under that they cannot even be friends with idols of the opposite gender. In short, they live a life that is not completely under their own control.
Money:
If they reach stardom, their management companies get up to 90% of their revenue as a compensation for the money invested in them!
The suffering doesn't end here. Fans can be also extreme: There is a group of fans called 'Sasaengs' who stalk idols everywhere. They follow them in their hotel rooms, flights, and even to their family homes!
Conclusion:
These conditions led to tragic events like the suicide of Jonghyun from SHINee and Sulli from FX. With K-Pop stars getting more attention worldwide, management companies are starting to improve their conditions. Hopefully, the success of BTS and Blackpink around the world is the first step into improving our idol's lives!
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