Being a K-Pop star isn’t as bright, chirpy, and glamorous as you would think.
Since the New York Times reported on the suicides of K-Pop stars Sulli and Goo Hara, at the end of last year, people are starting to question the legitimacy of the industry, desperate to understand why two highly successful young pop stars would take their own lives.
An investigation, carried out by Cosmopolitan, discovers a grey side to the K-Pop industry that’s way darker than you’d ever imagine.
K-Pop Cover-Ups
“K-pop’s history is a history of cover-ups,” says John Lie, author of K-Pop: Popular Music, Cultural Amnesia, and Economic Innovation in South Korea. “Exploitation is one of the worst abuses.”
Behind the sticky, upbeat hits that never seem to get unstuck from your brain, there’s toxicity, manipulation, and inhumane circumstances.
Entertainment companies dictate their every move and in some cases, K-Pop stars aren’t even allowed to speak out.
“Many artists don’t want to talk because they get threatened—they’re afraid of being blacklisted from the industry and feel powerless compared to the companies,” K-pop artist Grazy Grace tells Cosmo. “But it was important for me to speak honestly so that others don’t make the same mistakes I did.”
Being A K-Pop Star Requires Rigorous Training
In order to be a K-Pop star, you need to participate in long training programs run by entertainment companies. Trainees can start as young as 11 years old.
“It was my dream to become a singer,” says Grace. “Until I realized how bad it was mentally. I developed insomnia. I couldn’t sleep for six months straight. I started to feel anxiety but didn’t even know what an anxiety attack was. I didn’t want to share my feelings because I didn’t want to get cut from the company. I thought if I looked too depressed, I’d be let go.”
