In 2014, a sasaeng fan. CEOKang Seong Hee: Who do you think you are? We let everyone down and hurt everyone. It may take ten years for an agency to groom the trainee and for them to . Kang Seong Hee was first exposed by FOR X (fans of OMEGA X) forgetting abusive with the members at theLos Angeles concert during their2022 OMEGA X WORLD TOUR [CONNECT: Dont give up]. The female idol not only struggles with her career but also has an unhappy past at her former company. Instead, after getting rid of the clause, fan groups asserted their own power. SBS News and their lawyer reported the additional abuse. Let's talk about Open World Entertainment. It was later revealed that Seo Jiyoung had constantly bullied Lee Jihye until S#arps disbandment in 2002. if(document.querySelector("#adunit")){ Actually I am lying, I have experienced sexual harassment. S#arp was a K-Pop group created by member Seo Jiyoungs family, as they were one of the wealthiest families in South Korea at the time. It seemed like things were going their way after a successful start, but the group's activities slowly dried up, and eventually, came to a screeching halt. This largely stems from the hierarchical system wherein speaking out is seen as disrespectful towards one's superiors, a form of 'biting the hand that feeds you', as it were. KPop idols are only humans like Korean Pop fans. There's no reason they would have expected this wouldn't work. Jan 29, 2019. by L. Kim. Another popular practice in South Koreas entertainment industry is exchanging sexual favors for job opportunities or media exposure, which is known as sponsorship. messages about her dating life and her support of the no-bra movement. But throughout K-pop's history, global audiences have positioned themselves as champions for the cause and saviors of the idols being abused by their labels. eventAction: 'click_adunit' You need a group mentality; that is how you should respond. It is a factory-like industry, churning out talented artists until they reach their expiration date, only for new blood to step into their shoes. Are you sure you sh*ts want to succeed? The epidemic of sexual assault within it extends far beyond the scope of this article. These are pictures of sleeping pills and alcohol, documents, and a suicide note. The Burning Sun scandal, also known as Burning Sun gate, [1] [2] was a 2019 entertainment and sex scandal in Seoul, South Korea, which involved several celebrities, including Korean idols of popular K-pop groups, and police officials. Trainees live and practice together, only leaving the building to attend school. About 11.3% of youth aged 15 to 29 in South Korea are unemployed. a facade of physical aesthetic and pure morals. From encouraging fasting to paying idols poorly to ignoring allegations of sexual assault and abuse, the industry reveals a haunting reality underneath K-pops neatly glazed image. And through all this, they are subjected to mental and physical abuse,. Companies, on this ambition for their own profits, cultivating them into paragons of the music industry while denying basic human rights and freedoms. In accordance with the labels marketing strategy, K-pop stars are. between exercising, practicing or sleeping before beginning their routine again. EXO. They have stated that they do not wish for him to be punished and have submitted a request to drop all of the charges. Two days later, the same woman reported that she was sexually assaulted. Recently, South Korean agencies have strategically expanded their recruiting polls to Southeast Asian countries and China to appeal to the international market. Social media affords idols the opportunity to keep fans updated, so in this day and age, fans expect idols to let them know they're okay. Disregard for its members' physical health . I dont think I will share this with anyone, she said. One time, Yoo So Young signed a contract with a company, and the CEO decided to throw a party to celebrate. Then he asked me to lift my skirt and show him my body. Emory Democrats, Register to Vote and Turn Ga. Blue, Nancy Pelosi: The New Democratic Scapegoat, Emory, Atlanta Police removed Cop City student protestors, and we wont stand for it. hitType: 'event', window.adsContainer = {"position2":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Above_Next_Rel","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position3":{"code":"Article_Mobile_300x250_ATF_Rel","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position4":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle_Rel","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position5":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle1_Rel","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position6":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle2_Rel","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position7":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle3_Rel","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position8":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle4_Rel","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position9":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle5_Rel","max_width":320,"max_height":250},"position10":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle6_Rel","max_width":320,"max_height":250},"position11":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle7_Rel","max_width":320,"max_height":250},"position12":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle8_Rel","max_width":320,"max_height":250},"position13":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle9_Rel","max_width":320,"max_height":250},"position14":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle10_Rel","max_width":320,"max_height":250},"position15":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle11_Rel","max_width":320,"max_height":250},"position16":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle12_Rel","max_width":320,"max_height":250}} All K-pop idols start as trainees, participants in a rigorous training program where they dedicate their lives for the chance to debut. This situation was a case of severe abuse where the dreams of young men were taken advantage of and used as pawns by superiors who used their powers to assault, threaten, sexually harass them, and more. As many of y'all know Kpop idols are over worked, with it either being the training processes or their debut. According to So Hee, the companys CEO used to have inappropriate actions towards her since she was a high school student. On the night in question, a woman said she felt someone touching her and her friend claimed that Onew was the one who had done it. CEOKang Seong Hee: Ive already fainted before! While Spire Entertainment released a statement on November 7 claiming Kangresigned, there is serious doubt whether this is true. An idols primary goal is to please fans. Where American artists often spend a year recording an album and then take a year or two off, the downtime for K-pop is at most a couple of months. document.querySelector("#ads").addEventListener('click',function(){ These issues necessitate greater reflection on talent labels blatant disregard for idols well-being, molding them into money-making machines and treating them like nothing more. pg.acq.push(function() { }); K-pop has had a long and illustrious run thus far. In addition, we will do all that is in our power to prevent the members of OMEGA X from experiencing such unfortunate matters again and to create a better environment for them to focus on their activities as an artist as we continue to converse with the members. Tzuyu, and I did not recognize the seriousness of this situation. It all started with one accusation by a netizen who posted that she had had a homosexual relationship with the idol and claimed that Jisoo had sexually harassed her. Kim Jong-hyun, a former member of SHINee, was one of the few stars to openly, battling depression and criticize Korean society. } In the kpop community I've noticed that everyone focuses on the sexual abuse of female idols at the hands of powerful men but are we going to sit here and act like this doesn't happen to the boys because that's just delusional. A report accused the idol of inappropriately touching a woman in her 20s at a club in Gangnam. He said he was so drunk he couldnt remember anything. I, as a Chinese citizen, have hurt the company and netizens emotions due to my words and actions during overseas promotions. ga('ads.send', { Model Kwon Hyuk Jung was invited to join an idol group. She continued to say that everything she said in her statement is still true. Police officer (on victims statement). [Trainees] could train for years and years and never know if they would actually debut, said Euodias, a former K-pop trainee. Following the concert, Kang Seong Hee grabbed Jaehan, who has symptoms of panic disorder, by the collar at the hotel lobby and pushed him to the floor. },false) She tried to sue him, but he fled to the United States, where authorities apprehended him for statutory rape. Former After School member Yoo So Young shared her past through SBS show Hear Heard It Through the Grapevine. Cheska a former Fiestar member said she was sexually harassed, even raped at 18. Outside of violence, abuse was also often perpetuated via "slave contracts" which lock underaged idols into unfair, long-term deals with management agencies that often rob them of their youth, their earnings, and in some cases, their mental health. One horrible instance was when they were forced to perform despite being tested positive for COVID-19. Onew will sincerely participate in the remaining investigations. Now,SBS News has reported that also, the members were inappropriately touched against their will at both a company-mandated drinking party and at the airport. To maintain slim body figures, idols are, to restrictive diets and intense exercise regimen. Typical expenses for a trainee can top $50,000 per year, though the industrys opacity makes calculating that figure with any certainty very difficult. The power structure within managing companies is clearly defined and reinforced by the cultural notion of not biting the hand that feeds you, shielding labels from being implicated in mistreatment or abuse of their artists and causing much to go unreported. Two then-underage members of boy band TRCNG sued its agency TS Entertainment in 2019 for child abuse and assault, claiming they were frequently beaten and even hit with a chair, resulting in a trip to the emergency room. In some cases, the whole process, from becoming a trainee to releasing a debut album, can, up to a million dollars. Tragically, due to the pressures of fame and his feelings of inferiority in the industry, Kim. When the group eventually disbanded, Seo Jiyoung tried to pay off the group manager to lie about the bullying, but the manager refused. She was 13 when she left home and came to Korea, and it is my and the companys fault for not being able to cultivate Tzuyu in her mother and fathers stead. In the future, we firmly will not allow similar incidents to happen. eventAction: 'click_image_ads' . systemic economic hardships perhaps it is worth it to chase one dream than to fall victim to reality. Revenue is split disproportionally between managing companies and their stars, with labels often receiving 90% of all profits from album sales and tours, while just 10% goes to the artists. They live on packed schedules, going from, to promotional events and interviews just to make a name for themselves . I think as fans we often forget that our favorite idols also have feeling and can be over worked. At 19, he has already moonlighted as a backup dancer for the phenomenally successful K-pop group BTS. Your email address will not be published. He revealed that the members would constantly get beaten by different objects every day, such as baseball bats, mic stands, and iron bar mops. Sometimes, these KPop idols deserve criticism of what they have done. BTS. The last thing that idols need is for their managers to push more beauty standards on them. Chairman Hwang Seong Woo(Hwang): This is an emergency. In 2019, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea amended the Adolescence Mass Culture Artists Standard Agreement, in which agents must try to guarantee the rights of artists, such as personality freedom and sleep rights. 1. The female idol not only struggles with her career but also has an unhappy past at her former company. The fan listed out the various ways Newkidd's fans believe they are being abused. She posted various pieces of evidence including videos of her speaking with Baekho and Kakao Talk conversations. They were being hit right in front of me but I couldnt do anything. The intensity of their lives never seems to cease. Those musicians Lee Seok-cheol, now 22, and Lee Seung-hyun, now 20 are brothers who performed in the boy band The East Light as teenagers. And K-pop fans were credited with reserving tickets to a Trump rally, . ga('create', 'UA-67136960-15', 'auto', 'ads'); Industries have no right to treat idols as commodities. The victim said that Onew was very drunk so thats why he acted the way he did. K-Pop's grueling pop idol factories have a surprisingly toxic underbelly, in which potential stars (many of whom are teenagers) train for 20 hours a day, undergo extensive cosmetic procedures, and . Read more below. Idols are, to endure slave contracts, relinquishing all aspects of their lives to company control. This case shows the issue of how a person with authority violated another persons dignity regardless of gender. In 2014, a sasaeng fan sold the underpants of Doh Kyung-soo, a member of EXO. Seungri, one of the most famous singers of his time for having been part of the group big Bang, was sentenced in August to three years behind bars for an investigation that began years ago. With the idol title comes an expectation that your group and fans must be prioritized over your own needs, but no fan has the right to dictate the lives of idols or pressure them into making certain choices. in the way society wants; any rejection or retaliation of that social image elicits a never-ending barrage of media attacks. Once, to lose 7 kilograms in one week, Momo, a member of Twice, only ate one ice cube while keeping up with exercise and training. Did you take care of me when I was having a hard time? So why dont they stop? They have suffered in so many ways. Other idols who revealed their relationships have encountered similar reactions, leading most couples to break up and apologize to their fans. ga('ads.send', { But when an industry works so hard to seem unblemished, it only makes me more skeptical of what is, From the fame to the perceived wealth, everything about, an idol, someone with the ability to model, act, sing and dance, is, to the young performers in South Korea. Dont criticize or attack me.. He estimates that he has attended more than 50. Former K-pop stars, such as Han Geng of Super Junior and EXO's Lu Han and Kris Wu, have filed lawsuits against former record labels en masse, citing mistreatment, unfair contracts, extortion and sexual assault. For example, once we went to drink and I was about to go home. BTS. According to reports made by Korean news source Sports Chosun, Lee Min Ki visited a club while he was performing his mandatory military service and met a woman. Simply being called an idol signifies an unspoken burden of perfection. }); They requested that he either leave SHINee or be dropped from the group. The charges are nine, among them is having been prostitution services mediator. In the case of the last woman, investigators found inconsistencies in her statement that again proved his innocence. In recent years, corruption, mistreatment and exploitation stories have slowly come to light. At that time, the CEO said that he would take me home. Despite the difference between the two terms seeming simple enough, more often than not mistreatment and mismanagement are used interchangeably. The groups activities were cancelled and suspended while Chinese netizens boycotted JYP Entertainment as a whole. As a teenage member of the band South. An idol's career could see more damage from them speaking up about management-related issues than by mismanagement itself, and they may never work in the industry again if they dare speak up about abuse. Who do you think you are? He left in 2014 to launch a successful solo career as a singer, actor, model and talent show judge. In addition, the CEO that caused the unfortunate incidents on tour has resigned from the company voluntarily. But promoting popularity solely through their fans has created subsections of fans who harbor the perverse idea that they now play a major role in the idols actions and lifestyle. During an episode of My Little Televisionin 2015, each member of TWICE held up the flag of their country of origin since the group is composed of a number of different nationalities. and practice together, only leaving the building to attend school. Pictures of female K-Pop idols showing off their pale legs and slim figures in advertisements for phones and soju were almost impossible to escape from. }); window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotOnload', function(event) { Euodias is one of the few British hopefuls to have experienced the gruelling . Blackpink fans, for instance, have pushed for more content from the group, as have its members. However, after that, he sat on the piano bench and made me sit next to him. The K-entertainment industry's dependent . Not only was Kang Seong Hee confronted by the local police for causing a disturbance in the hotel halls, knocking on Jaehan and the other members hotel rooms throughout the night, but she also received immense criticism for having canceled the members flight tickets to return home to Korea. This, in turn, led to months of trials when Woollim Entertainment filed defamation lawsuits against the individuals. Hwang : We are in Chile right now. A report accused the idol of inappropriately touching a woman in her 20s at a club in Gangnam. }) There were even times when they called us to go drink in the middle of the night. Han claimed that SM Entertainments refusal to give him a day off in over two years caused him to develop gastritis and kidney disease. However, this number can. during concerts, only to be carried off stage by managers who expect them to resume the same intensity of activities after recovering. We will stop Tzuyus current activities in China, and effectively handle all of the problems faced by affected parties due to this incident. J.Y. They will just make it private to the public eye. The seven-member group debuted with their self-titled single album in April 2019 and went on to promote their release across major music shows. Guys, I was waiting outside for the Uber Eats that I ordered and I saw the company CEO hitting the members. but we all know humans are indeed far from perfect. After public outcry, however, scenes like these rarely make their way to TV anymore. For example, Jang Suk-woo, an Open World Entertainment's CEO and talent coach, took advantage of young artists by drugging and sexually assaulting . Many Kpop female stars revealed that they were sexually assaulted - KpopHit - KpopHit. Ive completely lost my voice, too. We would like to express our position on the incident involving Onew the media has been reporting on. Wooyeop & Taeseon (TRCNG) Source: Koreaboo In 2019, Wooyeob and Taeseon filed a lawsuit against TS Entertainment for things like child abuse, assault, and exertion. Another popular practice in South Koreas entertainment industry is, sexual favors for job opportunities or media exposure, which is known as sponsorship. And as fans look to the idol's social media for an answer, it delivers a stream of gorgeous new selfies from Jennie, which seemingly paint the pretty picture that there is, in fact, no mistreatment taking place. According to So Hee, the company's CEO used to have inappropriate actions towards her since she was a high school student. The epidemic of sexual assault within it extends far beyond the scope of this article. one reason for someone to commit suicide, nor should we chase after one but the Korean entertainment industry must bear partial responsibility for its continued abuse and exploitation. But in the other time, they have no control over it. In 2011, the Korea Creative Content Agency, a support center for artists, and in 2017, the Korea Fair Trade Commission, the industry to end slave contracts. JYJs Yoochun faced some major negative attention back in 2016. In 2017, news broke that SHINees Onew had been accused of sexually molesting a woman at a club. The infatuation drives these fans down extreme paths. I knew at that moment I had to be alert, she said. Im not going to let you go home until you say OK.. A company has a lot of influence on the career of an idol, so it can be quite frustrating to fans when an idol gets mistreated by their company. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotRenderEnded', function(event) { Soon after, three more women stepped forward all claiming that they too had been raped by the singer in a bathroom. I hope by reading your blog that the industry will get better for the kpop groups,and that the fans will be a lot understanding, I pray they dont give them any more stress .love all these kpop groups ,so please take care of them. document.querySelector("#adunit").addEventListener('click',function(){ Performers and fans talked about mental health issues at the KCON K-pop convention in the US. In fact, some companies have abused their artists, taking mistreatment to a new level. The case was handed to the prosecution and, after a few months of silence, Onew issued his own apology for all the pain he had caused his fans. pg.acq.push(function() { Or, [the four] can try to perform the slower songs. These Adopted K-Pop Idols Overcame Tragic Pasts To Find . The non-indictment due to lack of evidence will obviously harm Seo Jisoos life so we will not yield to lies. The room had a single window, over which the girls taped aluminum foil to allow for some privacy. It is exquisite, idealized and clean. Answer (1 of 2): I believe bad things like this did happen. Many idols have also fainted during concerts, only to be carried off stage by managers who expect them to resume the same intensity of activities after recovering. It is a factory-like industry. And by April, the label had stopped including three members in any of their released photos or videos, causing fans to wonder where the members were. K-pop has played a huge role in . Spire Entertainments abuse of OMEGA X scandal has worsened. The age hierarchy that exists in South Korean culture means this is often seen as acceptable behavior since an older and more experienced person in the industry hurling any form of "abuse" an idol's way is seen as the kind, educational words and actions of one's superior and automatically deemed worthy of respect. The K-pop industry is, , making its way onto the international stage and defining a new genre of music with its own personality. Though labels have stopped forcing slave contracts, stars now face potential backlash from their fans. Managers or executives of the K-pop industry try to sexually assault them, especially the female K-pop idols. 11.3% of youth aged 15 to 29 in South Korea are unemployed. Mistreatment generally encompasses several forms of abuse, including mental, emotional, physical and financial, and is sadly commonplace in the entertainment industry. }); Both male and female K-pop groups have also been subject to incidents of violence and sexual harassment. to provide sexual services to politicians or businessmen and that 6% were victims of sexual crimes. Jonghyun In recent years, corruption, mistreatment and exploitation stories have slowly, to light. I also have his socks. They relentlessly work toward their dreams, unhindered by decades of seemingly infinite extortion. In this light, here are 11 K-pop idols whose parents initially held reservations to their career choices. Blackpink. Eventually, the individuals were found not guilty of defamation but Woollim Entertainment was convinced that the fake stories had had a negative impact on the singer and promised that they would continue to seek action to reveal the truth. Visuals of such dorms were often freely seen in earlier variety shows, such as 'Invincible Youth' which revealed the four members of Secret sleeping in a small room that barely allowed enough space for their two mattresses. So, whats your issue? We are a very small fandom and we need help to spread the word of their mistreatment of this group. As a result, some of them, multiple jobs just to get by. The K-Pop Industry has helped brought forward the Greatest Performers, Dancers, Singers and Groups to this day. You can check the DNA on it, the sasaeng fan said. Omega X has taken steps to press charges against Spire Entertainment's former CEO, accusing Kang Seong-hee of verbal and physical abuse, including sexual harassment, the k-pop group announced in . In 2011, the Korea Creative Content Agency started a support center for artists, and in 2017, the Korea Fair Trade Commission ordered the industry to end slave contracts. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, https://emorywheel.com/author/sophialing/. Hwang: Then, Hyuk, say hello to the fans and stay out. The next day, the CEO claimed he didnt remember anything and decided to terminate her contract. The term 'mistreatment' frequently gets used with regard to the group's lack of activities and promotional appearances. Fans, however, were able to spot the attempt at misdirection and called it out. Despite being 16 at the time, TWICEs Tzuyu gained a lot of negative attention for one simple act. Hi everyone, I have something to say to everyone. In 2019, Sulli, a former member of f(x), Goo Hara, a former member of Kara and Cha In-Ha, a former member of Surprise U, all died within three months of each other.