is kpop dying? // a video essay on why the industry feels like it’s crumbling

Summary

The video delves into the harsh realities of the K-pop industry, shedding light on the grueling training conditions, extreme dieting, and mental toll on idols. The speaker shares examples of idols who left the industry or tragically lost their lives due to these pressures, such as KG from JYP's group and the deaths of Choi Jin, Goo Hara, and Moonbin. The speaker calls for urgent change within the industry, expressing their inability to fully support K-pop anymore. The video encourages fans and non-fans alike to advocate for change and address the industry's toxic environment.

Takeaways

• 😀 K-pop has undergone a noticeable shift in recent years, with many fans feeling it has become more commercially driven and formulaic.
• 😀 Oversaturation is a major issue: 60–70 new groups debut each year, but only a few gain significant popularity.
• 😀 The pace of content release is extremely fast, causing exhaustion among fans who are constantly bombarded with new posts, videos, and songs.
• 😀 Fan culture is hyper-specific, often prioritizing idol success over music quality, which enables companies to rely on likability rather than artistry.
• 😀 Extreme fan behavior, including harassment and invasions of idols’ privacy, has become a concerning problem in the K-pop community.
• 😀 Idols are heavily trained to maintain a perfect image, including physical appearance and social likability, often restricting their personal expression.
• 😀 Company control can lead to mental health struggles, with idols facing strict schedules, harsh diets, and intense training from a young age.
• 😀 High-profile cases, such as Bangchan (Stray Kids) and Songhan (Rise), highlight how companies and fan expectations can negatively impact idols’ personal lives and careers.
• 😀 The industry’s dangerous conditions have contributed to serious issues, including lawsuits, eating disorders, and tragic deaths among idols.
• 😀 The speaker concludes that while fans can still enjoy music casually, the systemic problems in the K-pop industry make it difficult to support wholeheartedly, emphasizing the need for change.

Q & A

What is K-pop, and how is it typically defined?

K-pop is an abbreviated, colloquial term for popular music from South Korea. It typically refers to idol music created by artists trained by entertainment companies to debut in groups and become pop stars.

How has the pace of new K-pop group debuts changed in recent years?

The pace of new group debuts has accelerated significantly. For example, in 2023, 70 groups debuted, and in 2024, 66 groups debuted. Many of these groups struggle to gain popularity, making the market feel overcrowded.

Why does the video suggest that K-pop feels more commercialized now?

The video suggests K-pop feels commercialized because companies prioritize frequent releases, marketable concepts, and idol likability over music quality, often relying on formulaic sounds and heavy editing.

What issues arise from hyper-specific fan targeting in K-pop?

Hyper-specific fan targeting limits groups' ability to evolve with their fan base. Fans may outgrow the group as they mature, and extreme fan behaviors can create unsafe or stressful situations for idols.

Can you give examples of extreme fan behavior described in the video?

Examples include EXO fans attempting near-kidnapping, invading private spaces, installing cameras in hotels, and fans camping outside idols’ homes. Such behaviors are invasive and harmful to idols' safety and privacy.

How does the K-pop industry control or influence idol image?

Idols are trained to be highly appealing and likable, adhering to company-mandated image standards. This limits their authenticity and self-expression, often requiring them to maintain a 'perfect' appearance and behavior at all times.

What happened to Bangchan of Stray Kids that illustrates company control?

Bangchan's weekly VLive, where he shared personal thoughts and music, was stopped by his company. Many speculate this was to maintain tighter control over his public image, limiting his authentic interaction with fans.

What was the situation with Songhan from Rise, and why was it significant?

Songhan was placed on hiatus due to leaked private photos taken before debut, including a kiss with his girlfriend and smoking. Korean fans protested his return, sending funeral wreaths and boycotting the group, ultimately leading to his departure. This illustrates extreme fan expectations and pressure on idols.

What are some of the mental health and working condition concerns in K-pop?

Concerns include grueling training schedules, strict diets, lack of sleep, long working hours, and pressure to maintain perfect appearance. These conditions have contributed to lawsuits, mental health issues, and even deaths among idols.

Why does the video creator feel they can no longer fully support the K-pop industry?

The creator acknowledges enjoying music from certain idols but cannot fully support the industry due to systemic issues, including unsafe working conditions, extreme fan culture, company control over idols, and the prioritization of profit over well-being.

What is the suggested takeaway or call to action from the video?

The takeaway is that fans and non-fans should advocate for change in the K-pop industry to improve working conditions, mental health support, and treatment of idols as humans rather than just marketable products.

How has fan culture affected the longevity and evolution of K-pop groups?

Fan culture often pressures groups to maintain a static image and style, which can prevent them from evolving with their maturing fan base. This leads to fans outgrowing groups quickly and contributes to group instability.