From having no privacy to day-to-night broadcasts to mental health issues and injuries, a Korean media outlet discussed the alarming K-pop idol system and its impact on artists.
Are Idols Turning Into Machines? Outlet Discusses Strict K-pop Training System
On June 16, the Korean media outlet Yonhap News wrote about the exhausting K-pop idol system that gave birth to current top-tier artists.
Although this system is what makes K-pop idols different and unique from other musicians, the poor reality of the orderly military-style idol system is also reflected even in the top global artists.
BTS, who announced their temporary break from group activities to focus more on their solo, is also not exempted from this pressure. They confessed that they "lost their identity" after more than nine years of promoting together.
In a video aired on June 14, RM criticized the current K-pop system in a strong tone and revealed that the system can't let a person mature. The leader along with Jin also mentioned that they felt they've become "machines." Jin said:
"I feel like I've become a machine while working in a group. I also have my hobbies and things that I want to do."
ALSO READ: BTS Opens Up on Struggles As Popular Group, Idol System + Members' Solo Plans
As a glimpse of what the strict K-pop idol training system looks like, the outlet mentioned the activities from being trainees to their debut.
"From the trainee days when music agencies take the lead in discovering new resources to their debuts, which involve rigorous practice, the path of K-pop "Dreamers" is only rough.
Not only is privacy not guaranteed due to the accommodation life unique to the K-pop market, but it is often difficult to eat or sleep properly due to the breathtaking schedule that is divided into minutes."
"Even if you achieve great success after your rookie years, it is hard to imagine taking a break when you want because the sales of one or two famous singers are directly related to the company's overall profits unless it is a fairly large agency."
In fact, BTS who recently pre-recorded a music program for its new song "Yet To Come" at 1 a.m. KST stayed up all night considering the time for doing the hair and makeup.
Harsh Reality of K-pop Idol System
Due to the fatigue they suffered non-stop from training to debut, many idols complain of physical and mental difficulties, such as being injured due to excessive activities or suffering from panic disorder.
One example is the girl group TWICE Mina who was absent from the concert schedule for a while in 2019, complaining of psychological tension and anxiety. The following year, Jeongyeon also had a break due to anxiety and physical injuries.
Another example was when Weeekly Jiyoon had to eventually leave her group due to repeated anxiety attacks since her debut in 2020. Despite the desire to continue, they came up with this hard decision after a discussion with the medical staff.
Not only mental health, but physical health was also at risk as an idol. Some incidents include Red Velvet's Wendy stage accident in 2019 while rehearsing for a year-end music festival. At that time, she suffered major injuries and fractures which took about two years for her to fully recover.
Due to this, pop culture critic Jung Deok Hyun conveyed their opinions on changing this system.
"The K-pop system still maintains its past activities such as trainees, debuts, and strong drives."
To prevent mental and physical exhaustion, the K-pop system should be developed by emptying all the current conditions, taking a rest, and filling them again.
The case of BTS raised the issue of the need for a change in the K-pop idol system that has been maintained for more than 20 years."
READ MORE: How Is It Like To Be an Idol Trainee? Here Are Some of Their Leaked Schedules
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Written by Eunice Dawson
