[Trainees] could train for years and years and never know if they would actually debut,, Even those who survive training sometimes, 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. lawsuits against former record labels en masse, mistreatment, unfair contracts, extortion and sexual assault. Blackpink fans, for instance, have pushed for more content from the group, as have its members. In the future, the company will not shy away from but take into account all the criticism and advice we have received during this time and do our best to solve matters, making sure such things do not happen again. However, this number can vary as every label and contract is different. K-pop Male Ex-Trainees Reveal Talent Agency's History of Sexual Abuse 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. This is Spire Entertainment. For most of the first meetings, we sat across from each other. Kim So Hee is famous for joining the survival show Produce 101. Record companies rule with an iron fist, euphemizing eating disorders, glamorizing the job and working to prevent the ugly truth from ever getting out. K-pop stars Jung Joon-young and Choi Jong-hoon jailed for sexual - CNN Indeed, the preparations start young: typically, K-pop idols are recruited between the age of ten and thirteen. These allegations prevented Jisoo from promoting with the group. Alter your thinking. A report accused the idol of inappropriately touching a woman in her 20s at a club in Gangnam. Anyone who is openly gay is ostracized. Only Hyunjin. 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. The industry is a Trillion Dollar powerhouse for South Korea and has boosted the Nation's connection to the World. For instance, after five years in the industry, FIESTARs Cao Lu was living off $450 eachmonth. It is impossible to pinpoint 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. 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. Trainees are. Jonghyun Again, I apologize to everyone. 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. Suicides by K-Pop Stars Prompt Soul-Searching in South Korea He said, I have no intention of signing you with this agency. it as a symbol of loyalty, popularity and revenue. Sasaeng fans, or "private fans," are generally females between the ages of 13 and 22 whose obsessions with their favorite pop idols reach unhealthy levels. Why this becomes an issue is because social media presence is hardly an indicator of an idol's well-being. 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. 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 committed suicide in 2017. They requested that he either leave SHINee or be dropped from the group. [ Source] South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has passed an amendment to the Popular Culture and Arts Industry Development Act that . Though the reasons behind Chas death are unclear, it follows a dark pattern that alludes to the lack of protection of celebrities and a cultural stigma against mental health. Additionally,Lawyer Noh Jong Eon, the legal representative of OMEGA X, told CBS Nocut News via phone call on November 14th that the members are worried and afraidThey have suffered in so many ways. In recent years, corruption, mistreatment and exploitation stories have slowly come to light. And this is where things get truly confusing. 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. Although SM Entertainments statement made it seem that the allegations against Onew would soon be over, things were going to get worse before they got better. K-pop idols are bred from tense, competitive environments. 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. Here are a few Korean artists who have spoken about getting abused by their companies. Kim So Hee is famous for joining the survival show Produce 101. Companies, on this ambition for their own profits, cultivating them into paragons of the music industry while denying basic human rights and freedoms. Investigating Exploitation in the K-pop Industry - Cosmopolitan He even provided photos of some of the damages done to them. ]. Were at war now. Managers or executives of the K-pop industry try to sexually assault them, especially the female K-pop idols. For example, once we went to drink and I was about to go home. There are many sexual harassment behaviors, but I have never experienced it. K-pop star Jonghyun of Shinee committed suicide in 2017. While this may be true, I also look to idols achievements with admiration. Good luck. Unwilling to. He told me, I see you as a woman. The infatuation drives these fans down extreme paths. ADVERTISEMENT More than anything, we bow our heads in apology to the fans who have treasured the OMEGA X members, as well as the members themselves and their parents, who were hurt by this matter. Suspected Identity of Company That Sexually Assaulted 6 Male Idols I think even. She said: "I've been called a ni****, a porch monkey, people have gone far enough to tell . }); eventAction: 'load' In one instance, some fan groups threatened to boycott Super Junior if one of itsmembers, Lee Sungmin, was included in a comeback tour, citing residual anger from his marriage.