In a recent episode of HANBAM's YouTube series, "Idol Complaint Manager Hur," K-pop girl group Aespa expressed their desire to have personal Instagram accounts.
Fans are left wondering why their management, SM Entertainment, won't allow them to have individual accounts, sparking a debate about the rights of K-pop idols on social media platforms.
Aespa's Complaints
During the episode, members Karina and Winter openly admitted having several grievances with SM Entertainment. Among the many issues, Winter emphasized the group's wish to have personal Instagram accounts.
This revelation quickly caught the attention of fans who are curious about SM Entertainment's decision to withhold personal accounts from the artists.
Social Media Restrictions
Host Young Ji questioned the members about their current social media situation, to which they confirmed that Aespa only has an official group account, leaving them without a personal online presence.
The conversation led to Ningning expressing confusion and seeking clarification on why SM Entertainment has not allowed them to have personal accounts.
Routine for K-pop Idols
Young Ji explained the usual social media routine for K-pop idols: they start with an official group account and then create personal accounts around the seventh year of their debut.
The discussion prompted Aespa members to question SM Entertainment's reluctance to allow them personal accounts.
Giselle and Karina highlighted the inconsistency in the company's approach, with Karina stating, "They think we might mess something up," while Giselle added, "But if that's really the case, they should stop us from live streaming too."
The Private Account Compromise
Young Ji proposed the idea of Aespa creating private accounts as a compromise, which would potentially address concerns from both the group and the company. However, Ningning amusingly revealed that they already have private accounts, causing laughter throughout the room.
Balancing Online Presence
Young Ji brought attention to the challenges idols face when they create personal social media accounts but struggle to maintain regular updates.
The inconsistencies can lead to frustration for both fans and idols, emphasizing the pressures of having a strong online presence. The host urged Aespa's management to improve communication with the artists to better address these issues.
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Aespa's desire for personal Instagram accounts has shone a light on the restrictive social media policies of SM Entertainment. The debate continues as fans await the company's response and wonder if Aespa will be granted the personal online presence they desire.
