"Burnout, Physical Abuse, and Psychological Trauma": A Look at the Harsh Realities of the K-pop Industry

The brutal training systems and mental health issues within the K-pop industry are being thoroughly examined through films and documentaries. The movie “Time to Be Strong” depicts the healing journey of three former idols in burnout who travel to Jeju Island, while a documentary produced by the National Human Rights Commission followed the realities of K-pop idol trainees. “Time to Be Strong,” which won the Grand Prize and Best Actress Award at the Jeonju International Film Festival last May, portrays three individuals: Sumin, a former girl group leader suffering from eating disorders (played by actress Choi Sung-eun), Sarang, a former band member struggling with mental illness (played by actor Ha Seo-yoon), and Taehui, a former boy band member burdened by debt (played by actor Hyun Woo-seok). These characters go to Jeju Island to work in orange orchards, where they confront the traumas from their idol days. The specific problems caused by the K-pop industry are exposed vividly in the film. It highlights exploitative contracts that bind idols for years — often referred to as “slave contracts,” forced use of contraceptives on female idols when wearing revealing costumes, and hints at sexual abuse. The film also shows how the pressure to be perfect leads to serious physical health problems. In particular, Sumin’s binge eating, severe exhaustion from overwork, and her breakdown as old hit songs play in the background symbolize the psychological destruction caused by the industry’s inhumane demands. The documentary “The Whole Story: K-Pop: A Star is Made” provided an intimate look at the final training week at the K-pop agency MZMC. It captures the moment when seven female trainees, aged 14 to 20, learn whether they will become members of a new girl group. Paul Thompson, the founder and CEO of MZMC, stated that after thousands of auditions, only about 30 trainees were initially selected, and now only seven remain. The rest were eliminated either due to failure or insufficient progress in monthly evaluations. Before joining the group, these trainees have spent months or even years undergoing rigorous training in singing, dancing, rapping, and performance, along with strict exercise and diet control. Some have given up formal education and live far away from their families. One 18-year-old trainee, Iain, said, “Eighteen is a very old age in the idol world. I’m worried that if I miss this opportunity, there might be no other place willing to take me.” Although the K-pop industry resembles America’s Motown-style star-making system, it stands out in the global music industry due to the immense scale of its training programs. K-pop agencies manage everything from idols’ schedules and debut preparations to media appearances, fan interactions, and even their personal lives.