kpop idols

When figuring an idea for our group assignment, nothing came to mind. Luckily for a culturally unaware individual like me, especially in Asian cultures, my team members had an idea already in mind, K-pop idols. For me, it was interesting as I had never heard of this apparent phenomenon before. I knew that K-pop was a phenomenon in its self but I never knew that Idols were a completely separate entity within the Korean music industry.

 

I have no knowledge what-so-ever about eastern music, only that they were a huge global phenomenon, however it just did not interest me at all. So, in taking on this assignment, I decided to immerse myself as much as I could with learning about what idols are and what they undergo to become an idol. As I couldn’t go to Korea and learn firsthand, I decided to immerse myself in a series of documentaries and short exposés about Idols own firsthand experience.

 

The first documentary I watched was ‘Idol Dreams’ filmed and produced by Channel News Asia. It talks about the experience’s individuals go through to be signed by agencies and then what they need to do to debut. One of the biggest epiphanies I experienced during the screening was a from a quote from entertainment reporter Yoo Jae-Hyuck, stating that in America and western countries, individuals have to do almost everything themselves, have the talent, the looks, the stamina, etc for which an agent will sign them and then will be managed. This was compared to Korea, for which they discover young kids and then make then into idols.

 

To me this was a huge epiphany as the Korean agents sign young kids and can shape their personality and their minds, and in this day in age mental health and promoting a child’s wellbeing is so important. Especially the way I have been raised and taught to treat others, this was against all my morals and values.

 

An even bigger issue that goes against my moral principles and values was the fact that there is child abuse happening and the fact that some agencies expect female idols to be under 50kg. By eating a 300-calorie day and celebrating for being underweight. It throws all the work females have done for body positivity and confidence.

 

After watching this series, I was completely shocked and mortified of the what idols have to go through and what they are expected. I understand that western cultures and eastern cultures are completely different, but these practises are immoral and unethical, for which I do not stand for and can’t say I’ll ever support the Korean music industry.