As fans, we only see the stardom, the money they earn, their perfect looks and how funny they are, and how they have it easy; without being able to relate to them, we don’t usually hear a lot about their struggles or how difficult it is to attain stardom or to reach a level where all love you, so here are some issues we might not even know about, let alone have faced it in our personal lives and appreciate these idols more and give them the private space that is much needed and we as fans invade, and name it as love for our idols, let us not forget they are humans after all.
1. High Beauty Standards Leading To People Going Under The Knife
Plastic surgeries are so common in Korea that most of the idols we know have had some work done on them, and this is due to the societal pressure of fitting into Korean beauty standards, which is the most gruesome thing out there; this is the reason why international fans post comments like these idols all look the same.
2. Being Ruled Over By A company And Losing Self-Identity As A Newcomer
When signing a contract, the years are so long, and these contracts are known as slavery contracts since you are committing a long period of life and the pay is really low, sometimes the idols are paid so less that they are officially broke, they are rare cases when they win court cases against such companies too.
3. Money Struggles And Instability
The long, slavery contracts and unsure years that a person puts in being a trainee with no promise for a successful future is maddening, you put in your all, with uncertainty hanging over your head, you cannot focus on anything else, and there is less scope of making money as a newcomer, so all are fairy- tale like in the lives of an idol.
4. Car Crashes And Overworked Idols
What idols prioritize after becoming famous is not the money or the fame that it is bringing but a peaceful nap; according to a Korean website, most artists pull off 20 hours of work every day, you can forget about the luxury of sleep; these idols faint, get nosebleeds and car crashes due to lack of sleep is common.
5. Facing Hatred For The Most Insignificant Issues Causing Depression Amongst Many Idols
Idols are constantly receiving comments, either in the form of criticism or praises, and yes, everything we say affects the idols; they are easily stressed, and getting an immeasurable amount of hate for whatever reason can take a toll on their mental health; many idols suffer from intense stress, anxiety or depression.
6. Suicides
There have been so many suicides in the past of idols who clearly could not handle the pressure; this stardom comes with constantly receiving criticism and can be handled only to a certain point . There have been instances of idols attempting suicide due to repeated cyberbullying and sex scandals which are made private in a matter of seconds.
7. Exposure Of Personal Lives To The Fans And The Motto “Fake It Till You Make It”
Most of the idols do not have a private life after they become famous; they are bothered while doing the simplest tasks like eating outside and are pressured into faking smiles and clicking pictures even when they are clearly on a break or looking for a chance to get fresh air, most of these idols have to stay inside to avoid the eyes of media and public.
8. Exhausting Practice Sessions, Gym, And Diet
K-Pop idols have one of the craziest diets and exhausting gym sessions; they survive on just watermelons or lettuce or cucumber diets, they take unbelievably small portions, which is why there is a trend of paper cup diets, where you only eat portions as small.
9. Dating Scandals
Idols are a representation of their entertainment company and are strictly not allowed to date so that they seem more accessible to hardcore fans who cannot handle dating rumors of their favorite idols and start protesting or boycotting the idol or the group; it is not easy to have a private life or to date as a matter of fact.
10. Casting Couch Rumors
In the K-Pop world, casting couches are sold to young people as chances of “sponsorships” or transactions that might help them in the future; these rumors are fast to spread and once such rumors start, there is never an end, sometimes these rumors force these young people to take their own lives.
