When that celeb is a K-pop idol, the impact is greatest of all - and that fate has just befallen former BtoB member Jung Il-hoon. The epidemic of sexual assault within it extends far beyond the scope of this article. over your own needs, but no fan has the right to dictate the lives of idols or pressure them into making certain choices. Hi everyone, I have something to say to everyone. Blackpink fans, for instance, have pushed for more content from the group, as have its members. The Korean music industry is not only shaped by musical culture, but by Korean culture as well. It is a factory-like industry. In particular, abolishing the no dating clause should have allowed idols to regain some semblance of control. 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. Fine dining is on the verge of collapse. He told me, I see you as a woman. While this may be true, I also look to idols achievements with admiration. Please refrain from reporting any additional speculation. . As a result, some of them work multiple jobs just to get by. Thus, even as fans cry abuse when they spot what they label abuse, it rarely leads to any real consequences for the alleged abusers. I, as a Chinese citizen, have hurt the company and netizens emotions due to my words and actions during overseas promotions. SM Entertainment requested that she drop the lawsuit and she signed the papers. } 1. ga('ads.send', { 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. Of course we had to keep quiet about this just because of our dream of becoming a singer, Ari wrote. OMEGA X members testified, There was physical contact at the meeting that I was called to where they were drinking and At the airport, after being intoxicated, she wrapped her arm in mine and hugged me.. The police then charged Onew with forced sexual molestation without detainment. Whenever I had schedules, he would take me in his car, make me sit in the front seat and even ask to marry me, the singer revealed. They relentlessly work toward their dreams, unhindered by decades of seemingly infinite extortion. Although there is a script for each show, shows, where there are often comedians as part of the team of conductors, can improvise and take things in different . Onew will sincerely participate in the remaining investigations. 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. At 19, he has already moonlighted as a backup dancer for the phenomenally successful K-pop group BTS. Chairman Hwang Seong Woo(Hwang): This is an emergency. The case was forwarded to the prosecutor's office in 2020 and the lawsuit is ongoing. 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. She wrote for the Current in Carmel. I also have his socks. In accordance with the labels marketing strategy, K-pop stars are. The two shores are one. }) During their training period, the idols live in overcrowded dorms with limited facilities. Here are a few Korean artists who have spoken about getting abused by their companies. Jaehan will tell the fans that the four are not feeling well and sincerely apologize to the fans. fans. Telling the tale: The Polish film tells the . Seo Jiyoung would constantly physically assault Lee Jihye, and would even invite some of her family members to join. Suho (EXO) SBS News shared a clip of OMEGA X's Jaehan who was seen having a panic attack and the CEO yelled at him: Stand up. their dreams of an illustrious career, many continue with their labels until they lose everything. eventAction: 'load' Other idols who revealed their relationships have encountered similar reactions, leading most couples to break up and apologize to their fans. a facade of physical aesthetic and pure morals. We will take strong action in order to reveal the truth that has been hidden. Woollim Entertainment. Again, I apologize to everyone. This is Spire Entertainment. When the group eventually disbanded, Seo Jiyoung tried to pay off the group manager to lie about the bullying, but the manager refused. Sophia Ling (she/her) (24C) is from Carmel, Indiana and double majoring in Political Science and Sociology. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotRenderEnded', function(event) { 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. As many of y'all know Kpop idols are over worked, with it either being the training processes or their debut. In 2019, Wooyeob and Taeseon filed a lawsuit against TS Entertainment for things like child abuse, assault, and exertion. On a typical day, they wake up at 5 a.m. and often do not sleep until 1 a.m. the next day. Abuse in K-pop is so commonplace and normalized that when the management teams of groups helped orchestrate their "kidnappings" for entertainment, such as BTS for the show 'American Hustle' or VIXX to please the daughter of Kazakhstans president, most outlets described it as "endearing". In fact, some companies have abused their artists, taking mistreatment to a new level. While he was drunk and dancing, he accidentally made contact with the people around him, which caused a misunderstanding that was then investigated by police. But in the other time, they have no control over it. }); between exercising, practicing or sleeping before beginning their routine again. But where things get murky in the conversation around abuse is in the confusion of the terms "mistreatment" and "mismanagement". Whether on social media, stage or in public, K-pop stars are. 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. 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. Korean culture pushes insane beauty standards onto women, with the country's ideal proportions being 162 cm (5 feet and 4 inches) and 42 kg (93 pounds). 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. August 2, 2020. }); It was the largest scandal to hit the K-pop . In 2016, the popular Korean actor was reportedly being investigated for sexual assault. Fans, however, were able to spot the attempt at misdirection and called it out. Sophia Ling (24C) is from Carmel, Indiana. 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. The Kpop industry has been flourishing for the past few years, but what new fans don't know is that there's a long, mind-breaking process in becoming an idol. The last thing that idols need is for their managers to push more beauty standards on them. No one is going to help out. 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'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 . reporters on a platform technologically tailored to meet the needs of the modern reader. 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. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), K-pop star Jonghyun of Shinee committed suicide in 2017. 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. eating disorders, glamorizing the job and working to prevent the ugly truth from ever getting out. a haunting reality underneath K-pops neatly glazed image. Not to be mistaken with EXOs Kai, musical actor and singer Kai was accused of sexual violence in 2015 after allegedly sending sexual photographs to a fan. Only Hyunjin. Hwang: Then, Hyuk, say hello to the fans and stay out. They have stated that they do not wish for him to be punished and have submitted a request to drop all of the charges. The 27-year-old had discussed his. Alter your thinking. So why dont they stop? eventAction: 'render' On the other end of the spectrum are anti-fans, who harbor animosity against certain idols, determined to ruin their reputation. },false) The intensity of their lives never seems to cease. In 2019, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea, the Adolescence Mass Culture Artists Standard Agreement, in which agents must try to, the rights of artists, such as personality freedom and sleep rights. The situation is explained more in the thread below. J-FLO attempted to use this hyperfocus to their advantage, posting older shots of the missing members. Lets pretend the contract never happened and he asked me if anything else had happened after that. In some cases, the whole process, from becoming a trainee to releasing a debut album, can cost up to a million dollars. pg.acq.push(function() { 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. allegations of sexual assault and abuse, the industry. Idols climb a never-ending ladder toward beauty, fame and excellence presenting a product of harsh discipline and a life of toil. Prosecutors dropped the sex abuse charge, citing lack of evidence, but fined Kim for physical assault. They were being hit right in front of me but I couldnt do anything. They live on packed schedules, going from training to promotional events and interviews just to make a name for themselves leading to countless stories about extreme sleep deprivation and exhaustion. Whoopi Goldberg interrupts 'The View' live segment, raises her voice and hits co-host, Baywatch star Jeremy Jacksons ex-wife Loni Willison spotted looking for food in LA waste, 'Liza took a final breath and sighed': Liza Burke, 21, dies 6 weeks after stage 4 cancer diagnosis, 'Go for a size bigger': Honey Boo Boo slammed for flaunting 'tight' prom dress with boyfriend Dralin Carswell. JYJs Yoochun faced some major negative attention back in 2016. Company employees and managers sexually harassed us. While Kim Jong Kook has never spoken about this, there is a rumor that Kim Jong Kook was physically and mentally abused by his company CEO during his early days as a member of Turbo. systemic economic hardships perhaps it is worth it to chase one dream than to fall victim to reality. In the future, we firmly will not allow similar incidents to happen. They have suffered in so many ways. Lets pretend the contract never happened and he asked me if anything else had happened after that. This extends to adequate marketing for every project and a full promotional schedule that sees fan-favorite acts land a spot on every popular show locally within South Korea and internationally where applicable. Park. Within K-pop, mistreatment is often seen occurring between an idol and older members of their group, crew, entourage or label. Often, idols themselves do not know what they must pay until they are told to pay up. Suspected Identity of Company That Sexually Assaulted 6 Male Idols I think even. The industry is a Trillion Dollar powerhouse for South Korea and has boosted the Nation's connection to the World. But apart from physical actions, K-pop idols are also subject to the pressure of cyberbullying. All K-pop idols start as trainees, participants in a rigorous training program where they dedicate their lives for the chance to debut. 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. Disregard for its members' physical health . The police were called and those involved were reportedly questioned for 5 hours. Notifications can be turned off anytime from browser settings. Managers or executives of the K-pop industry try to sexually assault them, especially the female K-pop idols. And that essentially is their answer to allegations of mistreatment: the girls are being managed properly, finally. After all, they've got a major comeback on its way. 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. There is only one China. hitType: 'event', 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]. labels from being implicated in mistreatment or abuse of their artists and causing much to go unreported. Former K-pop stars, such as Han Geng of Super Junior and EXOs Lu Han and Kris Wu, have filed lawsuits against former record labels en masse, citing mistreatment, unfair contracts, extortion and sexual assault. The term 'mistreatment' frequently gets used with regard to the group's lack of activities and promotional appearances. So why dont they stop? K-pop idols are bred from tense, competitive environments. Through this incident, I once again deeply experienced that, to collaborate with a country, we should respect that countrys sovereignty, culture, history, and the peoples feelings. So, whats your issue? Kim So Hee is famous for joining the survival show Produce 101. In 2014, a sasaeng fan sold the underpants of Doh Kyung-soo, a member of EXO. K-pop idol Baek Ji-young's manager filmed her having sex and brought out the footage when she wanted to change contracts. There is also video evidence to prove it. SBS Exposes Spire Entertainments Horrid Treatment Of OMEGA X, Including Attempting To Force Them To Perform Concerts With COVID-19. Han claimed that SM Entertainment's refusal to give him a day off in over two years caused him to develop gastritis and kidney disease. Han claimed that SM Entertainments refusal to give him a day off in over two years caused him to develop gastritis and kidney disease. After being proven innocent, his agency announced that they would be taking legal action and seek compensation for the damage done to his reputation and the charges and rumors that stemmed from them. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), [7] Though beauty is an ever-present ideal for Korean popular culture, these time periods represent shifts in beauty norms and K-pop ideals. Unfortunately, this hard work is undercut by an industry more focused on profit than individual creativity. All trainees are constantly monitored, and their 24-hour days are divided between exercising, practicing or sleeping before beginning their routine again. Hyuk: I have a fever and body aches again, though. } As such, their high expectations are not limited to performance but extend to body image as well. ga('ads.send', { Another popular practice in South Koreas entertainment industry is exchanging sexual favors for job opportunities or media exposure, which is known as sponsorship. 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. Hi everyone, I am J.Y. They are forced to be. 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. We apologize for any inconvenience. SM Entertainment. document.querySelector("#google_image_div").addEventListener('click',function(){ The East Lights leader, Lee Seokcheol, revealed in 2018 that the members were victims of assault and abuse by their company. Almost immediately after the E News report released, idol group ZE:A's leader, Lee Hoo, posted a series of shocking tweets regarding his grievances over his agency, CEO, contract, and the Korean music industry as a whole. Trainees are. In recent years, corruption, mistreatment and exploitation stories have slowly come to light. This is also why K-pop groups are either all-male or all-female, too so fans dont suspect band members are dating each other,. Onew went to a club with his friends on the morning of August 12 to celebrate his debut as a DJ. In 2014, a sasaeng fan. If their incurred expenses exceed their bands earnings, stars must pay them back. 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. 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. These issues necessitate greater reflection on talent labels blatant. They are not tools or robots. While this may be true, I also look to idols achievements with admiration. This, in turn, led to months of trials when Woollim Entertainment filed defamation lawsuits against the individuals. They live on packed schedules, going from, to promotional events and interviews just to make a name for themselves . Onew did not, however, leave the group. We have video evidence of [sexual] harassment. I feel proud being Chinese. For example, once we went to drink and I was about to go home. SBS News and their lawyer reported the additional abuse. This case shows the issue of how a person with authority violated another persons dignity regardless of gender. Being a kpop idol is an extremely demanding job physically and mentally. Unfortunately, in wake of the exposure, there has been a lack of substantial action and change. Idols are plagued by demands of nonexistent, unattainable attitudes of perfection. Simply being called an idol signifies an unspoken burden of perfection. I feel very, very sorry and guilty. I dont think I will share this with anyone, she said. However, the CEO did some shocking actions to her throughout the night. Once the video footage of the abuse was released, Kang Seong Hee attempted to shift the blame onto the members. Companies prey on this ambition for their own profits, cultivating them into paragons of the music industry while denying basic human rights and freedoms. Another popular practice in South Koreas entertainment industry is, sexual favors for job opportunities or media exposure, which is known as sponsorship. The K-pop industry is flourishing, making its way onto the international stage and defining a new genre of music with its own personality. K-pop stars, like (G)I-dle's Soojin, MONSTA X's Kihyun, SEVENTEEN's Mingyu, and Stray Kids' Hyunjin, are just some of those who have been accused of bullying by former classmates. Tzuyu greeted online viewers as Taiwanese and she held up a Republic of China flag. But this seemingly one-on-one personal relationship is more often than not a farce, seeing as idol personas are carefully constructed and heavily monitored by their labels, slave contract or not, and this control usually extends past the expiration of their contracts. She would keep sending KakaoTalk messages, and if we did not reply, she would get furious. Idols are, to endure slave contracts, relinquishing all aspects of their lives to company control. 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. The room had a single window, over which the girls taped aluminum foil to allow for some privacy. Once, I needed to sell my belongings, [including] my laptop and beloved piano, to survive, wrote Way, a former member of Crayon Pop, in an email to Insider. in the way society wants; any rejection or retaliation of that social image elicits a never-ending barrage of media attacks. Blackpink. After actress Jang Ja-yeon committed suicide in 2009 upon being forced to act as an escort, the National Human Rights Commission found that 60.2% of South Korean actresses have been asked to provide sexual services to politicians or businessmen and that 6% were victims of sexual crimes. Idols are plagued by demands of nonexistent, unattainable attitudes of perfection. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, https://emorywheel.com/author/sophialing/. On April 12, the Kangnam Police Station in Seoul released a . He even provided photos of some of the damages done to them. In particular, abolishing the no dating clause should have allowed idols to regain some semblance of control. Blackpink. . For most fans, a steady stream of quality content is seen as the biggest indicator of proper management. Under the pressure from fans, Big Hit had to change BTS' manager. Kang Seong Hee: Quarantine Well all fail if we quarantine. Behind K-pop's success, a carefully calibrated machine is at work. CEOKang Seong Hee: Ive already fainted before! Korean TV shows are full of jokes and laughter, however many of them tend to surprise idols who come as guests, so sometimes what seems like an innocent joke becomes a big problem. Including his trainee debt and living expenses, Henry Prince Mak from JJCC, last year that he was only making $1 or $2 per day. All trainees are constantly monitored, and their 24-hour days are. After the agency suddenly announced Yellow Bees disband, member Ari exposed the staff who had sexually harassed them so the group could not continue their activities. Tzuyu, and I did not recognize the seriousness of this situation. I didnt want to say this but it was disgusting, when I came to Korea, I was raped. Slave contracts allowed managers to control idols' daily lives, including their diets, love lives, friendships, use of phones and social media and much more. "[That's] why we try . [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. Members of The East Light claim that, as trainees, they were beaten by their producer for four years and that the agency chairman was aware of it. Because I didnt know how to face the current situation, I have been afraid to face everyone directly, so Im only speaking out now. }); This news is one of the example. In June of 2017, an anonymous online community member claimed that NUEST Ws Baekho sexually assaulted her in 2009. Though the reasons behind Chas death are unclear, it follows a dark pattern that, to the lack of protection of celebrities and a cultural, against mental health. hitType: 'event', Despite their hard work and commitment to high academic achievement, the younger generation is constantly confronting systemic economic hardships perhaps it is worth it to chase one dream than to fall victim to reality. Lee Min Ki was then called in for questioning, adding even more fuel to the fire. 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. let gads_event; To make up for all the damages done to everyone and to return everyones support, we will continue to work hard in order to contribute to the cultural exchange between the Chinese and Koreans. Despite their hard work and commitment to high academic achievement, the younger generation is constantly. Suspected Identity of Company That Sexually Assaulted 6 Male Idols Earlier this month, it was reported that six male trainees sued their label's CEO for sexual assault. Kim Jong-hyun, a former member of SHINee, was one of the few stars to openly admit battling depression and criticize Korean society. Pledis Entertainment stuck by their idol and released a statement saying the claims were completely untrue. The aggrieved party has recognized that this situation could have been caused by his being drunk, and has therefore agreed that it was all a misunderstanding. }); CEO Kang Seong Hee would call me at dawn and talk to me for one to two hours even though it wasnt time for our practice. At this point, SM Entertainment released a statement sticking by their artist and said that everything was just a misunderstanding. I think as fans we often forget that our favorite idols also have feeling and can be over worked. Deja Ferguson, who got into BTS in 2015, says she has regularly received anonymous abuse from other fans. And this is where things get truly confusing. He revealed that the members would constantly get beaten by different objects every day, such as baseball bats, mic stands, and iron bar mops. The faces are blurred for the protection of the members. This simple act led Taiwanese, China-based singer Huang An to accuse Tzuyu of being a Taiwanese independence activist, essentially calling her a traitor. Guys, I was waiting outside for the Uber Eats that I ordered and I saw the company CEO hitting the members. BTS' Suga. In the media idols are portrayed as perfect people that don't make mistakes. Later, it was proven that he had not been involved in the harassment charges and the woman involved clarified her statement and issued an apology. Despite that, a investigation soon started. The female idol not only struggles with her career but also has an unhappy past at her former company. Additionally, the contracts required trainees to pay back the cost of their training and living experiences during the period, meaning most would debut with a debt. In the case of the last woman, investigators found inconsistencies in her statement that again proved his innocence. 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. Simply being called an idol signifies an unspoken burden of perfection. According to So Young, this person also has many other rude actions towards her. We would like to express our position on the incident involving Onew the media has been reporting on.