Being a K-pop idol may seem like an easy task on the outside, but in reality, it is one of the most mentally and physically taxing careers a person can choose.
On one hand, being the center of attention and having millions of adoring fans can be a great honor. Allowing yourself to truly express your talents and dreams of being a pop sensation. On the other hand, though, the millions of eyes on you at all times and endless gruesome training hours could eventually make a person crumble and fall under pressure.
On the internet, there are thousands of videos of idols collapsing on stage, their deteriorating health, and even at times leading to their deaths. It can be recognized that K-pop life isn’t always smooth sailing. It is very normal for idols during trainee and debut days to have unhealthy and deadly diets, to conform to impossible Korean beauty standards. Companies force their idols to starve themselves by only being allowed to eat a few meals a day.
During the group TWICE’s trainee days, the members were never allowed to eat, only being allowed to eat ice cubes to quench their hunger. JYP Entertainment, who owns TWICE, didn’t even give the members cafeteria cards. However, the members found a way to work around the rules and would run to male idols in their company to buy them food in secret.
Idols are expected to train hours daily. In the K-pop scene, making one mistake could be detrimental to your career. Many idols, such as Lia from Itzy, Han Jisung from Stray Kids, and many others, go on hiatuses due to the hate and criticism they receive.
It is very common for K-pop idols to suffer from depression and anxiety. It is nearly impossible to find someone in this line of work who does not have any mental and physical health problems. A major problem in this industry is the abundance of idols taking their lives due to the stress, anxiety, and depression they obtain from this line of work.
Such as Moonbin from ASTRO. ASTRO was a 6 member boy-group, with beloved member Moonbin taking his life on April 19, 2023. He had suffered from many health issues such as anxiety, even going on a brief hiatus years before his death. He was found dead in his apartment in the Gangnum-gu district of Seoul by first responders, ruling his death to be a suicide.
Another example of the mental toll of being a K-pop star is the heartbreaking story of Jonghyun of Shinee. Shinee was a 5 member group until on Dec 18, 2017 vocalist Jonghyun was found dead in his home. Investigators believed he took his life by inhaling toxic fumes or smoke. Mere moments before his death though he went live on his Instagram telling his fans his last goodbyes and apologizing to them stating, “I am damaged from the inside. The depression that has been slowly eating away at me has completely swallowed me, and I couldn’t win over it.” Fans were at first confused not realizing that this would be the last time they would ever see him.
Sadly there are numerous examples of idols taking their lives to the stress and exhaustion of being a K-pop star. It is truly depressing seeing so many beautiful and talented souls buckling under the pressure of being in the public eye. Unfortunately, many idols still suffer today, most not speaking about their health, wanting to keep a cheerful mood for fans to not make them worry. We can only hope that no other idols will follow the same unfortunate fate.