Being a K-Pop idol is no small accomplishment, as they have to experience many challenges. A YouTube channel called "THE KOREA TIMES" asked an ex K-Pop star about her experiences. Her name is Yoo Jin Kong, and she is a previous BONUSbaby member.
Throughout her time as an artist, Kong Yoo Jin admits she had to suffer an enormous amount of struggles. One of them was the staggering amount of training that was expected of her group. Due mainly to all the drills, she ended up doing some real harm to her body. She was not even permitted outside to speak or meet with her parents.
"Dancing was not easy for me, and I damaged my vocal cords because I had to change my voice according to the group's image."
The routine was also exhausting for her, where the group had to start waking up for music broadcasts super early. The squad would still train until early in the morning, and they only slept for a few hours.
"We had to go to broadcasting stations early in the morning, so we had only two to three hours of sleep after practicing. We used to get makeup in the van or on the way to work."
Weight was also a strong focus their agency imposed on, in which there were restrictions about how much the members could weigh. It was also highlighted that they would be weighed multiple times a day by the agency.
"The agency told us we should weigh no more than 46 kilograms (101.4 pounds)"
Kong Yoo Jin also decided to starve herself to death because she was so worried about weight issues.
"On days I would eat a little more, I strictly controlled my portions and ate two eggs, ten cherry tomatoes, and ten almonds a day. I used to replace meals with a sip or two more from a small pack of soymilk while practicing dance moves all day long."
The agency also prevented members from getting the opportunity to meet their relatives.
"We had to meet our family for an hour, only inside the office building."
Also, things like being on their mobiles, unfortunately, have been prohibited.
"The luxury of enjoying the simplest things in life like playing with our smartphones during free time was not allowed for us."
She tried to tell her parents all but decided to withstand it all.
"Every time I got on the phone, I wanted to tell them I was having a hard time because of this and that, just like a little child, but I couldn't. The only option I had was to just keep them all to myself and move on."
Because of all these struggles, the depression of Kong Yoo Jin grew deeper.
"My depression got deeper to the point where I started to think of myself as an unworthy person."
Finally, Kong Yoo Jin left the industry and dropped becoming an idol. But after she quit, she had endured some hardships.
"After leaving the company, my condition got worse. I panicked whenever I went to crowded places. I used to sweat and suddenly become short of breath."
Kong Yoo Jin now recognizes her days as an idol after some time, as an opportunity that made her stronger. Now, she wants to be a music teacher.
"After graduating from university, I want to become a teacher and meet a lot of students who want to build a career in music. Now I want to be a music teacher."
