South Korea’s cultural exports have exploded over the past decade, with groups like BTS and BLACKPINK consistently dominating international music charts. Korean dramas have also gained widespread popularity on streaming platforms.
The documentary “Kpop Idols” follows the artists as they embark on world tours, sharing emotional moments and enduring hours of grueling rehearsals.
Most K-pop idols begin their training as teenagers, enduring immense pressure and harsh management from entertainment companies. The exhaustion of pursuing their dreams, coupled with public scrutiny, leads to widespread mental health crises. Many idols have chosen death as a means of escape, seeking rest.
The documentary also captures the K-pop industry’s recent efforts to improve the genre’s global appeal by recruiting foreign talent. In June, South Korea’s Ministry of Finance announced that the country would soon implement a new visa program called the Cultural Training Visa, aimed at foreigners who want to train in dance, choreography, acting, and music.
Additionally, the film addresses the extreme and scientifically unfounded dietary practices of K-pop idols.
Source: K14
