KG, a member of US women’s group VCHA, said her agency was abusive, but some in the industry warn against turning her personal issue into a systemic issue. This is because the claims are subjective and not specific enough to be considered a general problem in K-Pop. Some even argue that the negative reaction is due to the VCHA’s failure to succeed in the marketplace.
KG recently posted on social media about alleged abuse by some staff members and filed a lawsuit against JYP Entertainment to terminate his exclusive contract. He cited 3 main reasons: an environment that triggered eating disorders, low pay due to huge debts, and intense work demands with restrictions on personal life.
An environment triggered eating disorders
Since KG, along with all VCHA members, is a teenager, if the agency restricted their eating habits, it would raise human rights concerns. However, JYP Entertainment, known for not forcing weight loss under the direction of Park Jin-young, is considered one of the agencies that respects personal health. Many industry insiders also state: “We can no longer force diets. Larger agencies avoid such practices to protect human rights. It’s common for members to alter their diet based on how they look on screen.
The difficulty of voluntary weight control cannot be seen as a social problem, nor is it exclusive to K-Pop. Weight management is a common challenge for anyone who works in industries that value beauty or physical ability. It’s part of the responsibility to perform these roles well, just like dancers or athletes who need to control their weight for their careers.
Low pay, huge debt
The huge debt KG refers to is part of the process needed to generate profits in the K-Pop industry. The agency invests for years in the training of interns for free, then recovering the investment with the artist’s earnings. If the internship system is absent, the amount of debt is smaller, but the principle is the same globally in the entertainment industry.
High work demands and personal life restrictions are challenges faced by artists around the world, not just in K-Pop. These artists have many fans and companies and broadcasters want to profit from them. While this may be unethical, it does not justify undermining the K-Pop industry as a whole.
Restrictions on personal life
The most logical argument from KG is the limitation of his personal life. Invasion of privacy is a shared problem for artists globally, but K-Pop is unique in limiting idols’ romantic lives due to the fan-driven nature of their fandoms.
Insiders believe that if KG had wanted to report the abuse, it should have provided more detailed evidence. So far, his claims don’t have enough logic to support the abuse charge. Privacy restrictions aside, her complaints appear to be personal complaints about the burdens of being an artist.
All industries evolve to meet public demand. The K-Pop system has managed to satisfy both domestic and global demand. K-pop members voluntarily manage their weight to meet global aesthetic standards. The internship system is now a necessity to create well-organized groups in line with the global demand. Therefore, the efforts of these individuals to support and develop the industry should not be discounted as a deeply rooted problem in K-pop.
Source: Naver
