Singer Sulli's death prompts questions about pressures of K-pop fame

The meteoric rise of South Korean bands like BTS and BlackPink can be attributed to a signature K-Pop formula of intoxicating melodies, synchronized dance routines, meticulously-crafted appearances, and a group of attractive South Korean entertainers rigorously trained to sing in perfect harmony. But behind the veneer of the carefully constructed image of these K-pop band sensations is a culture of extreme pressure, hyper-scrutiny, and unaddressed mental health problems.

Euny Hong, the Korean-American author of The Birth of Korean Cool: How One Nation is Conquering the World with Pop Culture, tells Yahoo Lifestyle that the increasing pressures of being a K-pop star from their record labels and the public, combined with the stigmas around mental illness in South Korea, will continue to drive its idols over the edge.

Korean performers are discovered through massive global auditions, similar to that of “American Idol,” or are recruited on the street for their looks alone. After signing a contract with entertainment companies like SM Entertainment , then they undergo a notoriously brutal training that professor Lee Dong-yeon, who teaches cultural theory at the Korean National University, told South China Morning Post is known as the “idol farm system.

Many “K-pop trainees” are students, who are juggling as many as 13 hours of training at the label along with their academic studies. These individuals are then evaluated on their singing, dancing, and even weight loss on a weekly or monthly basis. Trainees will spend anywhere from two to 10 years in these rigorous programs — but even then you’re not guaranteed a spot in a coveted K-pop group.

“Sulli's presumed suicide just goes to show that, despite the more 'humane' treatment of K-pop stars, the pressures seem not to have abated,” Hong tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “I think this suggests that the pressure on these stars doesn't come 100 percent from the record labels, as was previously assumed. I'm not aware of any culture that knows how to deal with its stars on a human level, whether they're at the top of their game or past their peak.

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

K-pop singer Sulli dead at 25The singer was found dead at a home in Seongnam on Monday. Drugs or killed ? Please fix this thing.... BTS is a boyband. Thank you 💜 May God receive her soul. Peace.
Source: Newsweek - 🏆 468. / 52 Read more »

K-pop singer Sulli dies at the age of 25Sulli was found dead at her home today, police have confirmed.
Source: Mirror Celeb - 🏆 476. / 51 Read more »

K-pop Singer Sulli Found Dead at 25She previously spoke out about mental health issues in K-pop. 😢
Source: papermagazine - 🏆 409. / 53 Read more »

K-Pop Star Sulli Found Dead In Her Apartment At Age 25Sulli has left us, her talent agency said in a statement. We cannot believe the situation and we are simply in a state of grief. Netijen ohh netijen... RIPSulli 😥 what 🥺 How sad! 😢😢
Source: enews - 🏆 466. / 52 Read more »

Korean Pop Star Sulli Dies at 25Korean pop star Sulli was found dead at her home near Seoul on Monday. She was 25. Her manager found her body and alerted the police. The manager reported that the star, whose real name was Choi Ji… 25 is actually old for a Korean pop star. Very sad thoughts and prayers to her family Very sad about Sulli ☹️
Source: Variety - 🏆 108. / 63 Read more »

K-Pop Star Sulli Dead at 25, Suicide SuspectedK-Pop singer Sulli has been found dead, and police believe it may have been a suicide. So tragic. Sulli was relentlessly tormented by the K-Media and K-netz and look what it’s led to. RIPSulli 🙏🙏🙏 To the family 😪😪😪 KAROSHI
Source: TMZ - 🏆 379. / 59 Read more »