This former member of a 4th-gen girl group exposed the harsh situation she experienced as a trainee and after debuting as an idol.
Keep on reading to know what the ex-idol revealed.
Former GSWN Miya Recalls Harsh Reality of Being Trainee, K-pop Idol
Miya, a Japanese idol who was a member of the fourth-gen girl group GWSN, opened up about the dark reality of the Korean entertainment industry.
On May 21, the idol had an interview with Japanese media, revealing what she went through while actively promoting in Korea.
GWSN Japanese member Miya said:
"Idol life in Korea is like a prison... I felt like I'm going crazy."
Miya's aspiration to become a K-pop idol started when she fell in love with K-pop and joined a VIXX dance cover called baxx predebut. She then joined and passed an audition and went to Korea to train.
People would think she was one step closer to her dreams, but this was only the start of her difficulties.
Miya narrated:
"We started practicing right after we came back from school, and it was completely dark outside when we were all done."
However, this was not a big deal compared to their strict management where she could only eat either bananas, boiled eggs, or one apple.
"I only put something in my mouth twice a day."
Along with this, trainees should also weigh themselves in front of their managers before practice and strictly no phones were allowed; thus, it was difficult to talk to her family she left in Japan.
"I felt like I was going crazy."
ALSO READ: 'Bankruptcy'? GWSN Struggles With Finances & Accommodation - What Happened?
Because of this situation, she learned how to go to the convenience store secretly and use the emergency fund from her parents to buy snacks like ice cream on her way to practice.
While she initially hoped that the situation would get better once she debuted as an idol, things were still the same.
Regarding their diet, Miya recalled:
"The teamwork with the members has increased by secretly hiding foods such as tteokbokki and chicken prepared for the staff at the music video filming site."
As she was an idol, the Japanese member also felt the increasing restrictions, saying:
"I couldn't afford to feel like an idol. You have to appeal your existence, and of course, you shouldn't have made a mistake. I had a lot to think about, so I couldn't afford to care about how I felt."
Miya Reveals Massive Neglect Idol & Group Suffered From Their Korean Agency
Miya was a member of GWSN, a seven-member multinational girl group that debuted in September 2018.
However, GWSN's activities were suspended due to the deterioration of the agency's finances and were virtually disbanded in 2022. Aside from losing their dorm because of failure to pay rent, the agency also got rid of their dance practice room.
In the process, the agency accidentally neglected the visa work of Japanese Miya and Taiwanese member SoSo, and the two members reportedly paid fines as illegal immigrants.
Miya said:
"It was a very difficult time. I tried to prepare something so that I could be active again at any time, but I spent more time in the accommodation and eventually, everyone went home.
It's true that I ended up staying illegally, but I didn't know what was happening inside the company. I'm angry, but I don't want to blame them too much because it's business-related."
In January 2023, all seven members finally won against THE WAVE MUSIC to terminate their contracts.
Following this, Miya returned to Japan and hinted at her re-debut as an actress and singer after signing an exclusive contract with her Japanese label in April.
Lastly, she addressed her fans.
"Among the fans who have supported GWSN for a long time, it may be regrettable that I have a new start, but someone has had to take the next step. From now on, I want to work as a model or act. Or I want to audition again."
READ MORE: GWSN Producer Makes Shocking Claims About ‘The Other Side of the Moon’ Album
For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.
KpopStarz owns this article.
Written by Eunice Dawson.
