K-POP Star Hyuna Collapses on Stage… Industry’s Dark Reality Exposed by Extreme Diets and Sleep Deprivation

South Korean pop star Hyuna collapsed on stage during a recent performance. This incident once again brought to light the severe health problems faced by idols due to the industry’s extreme training systems, severely restricted diets, and lack of sleep. South Korea is notorious for its pursuit of perfection in the training process of pop idols. Since the K-POP industry generates billions of dollars in economic impact annually, young aspirants entering this music sector are expected to achieve absolute and flawless standards. According to the research book “K-pop: Idols in Wonderland,” 8 out of 10 female K-POP trainees experience halted menstruation as a result of extremely limited diets. Stress and lack of sleep are also identified as major contributing factors. In 2023, Hyein, a member of NewJeans, revealed that she was forced to eat very little during music video shoots. At the time, being 14 years old, she only consumed sliced avocado, two half-cherry tomatoes, and a small amount of yellow rice. Momo, a member of TWICE, confessed that before the group’s debut in 2015, she was instructed to lose 7 kg (about 15 pounds) within one week. Failure to meet this goal meant she would not be able to join the group. She eventually achieved her target weight by eating only ice cubes and exercising non-stop for a week. “I didn’t eat anything for a week and kept going to the gym. There wasn’t a single drop of water in my body,” she revealed on a television program. The K-POP industry forces trainees, including those as young as 10, to train for at least 12 hours a day. They are required to master not only singing, dancing, and rapping but also acting, media presentation, and etiquette. At the same time, they face strict company rules, restricted diets, and contract terms that control every aspect of their lives. Debuting idols are under constant surveillance from fans and the media, as well as pressure to meet unrealistic aesthetic standards. The high demand to release new content and albums almost monthly causes difficulties in their mental and physical health. Numerous well-known cases of burnout, hospitalization, and even suicide have brought this issue into public attention. As the industry receives increasing scrutiny, demands for idol safety and systematic reform can no longer be ignored. On November 6, 2025, a report was submitted to the Ministry of Employment and Labor regarding the establishment of a preparatory committee for an idol union, marking the first official attempt to unionize K-POP performers. The union’s goals include implementing more rigorous psychological support protocols, emphasizing workplace hazards, and treating idols as employees rather than independent contractors. It also calls for an investigation into how companies handle defamation lawsuits, the creation of a standardized legal system for addressing idols’ mental health, and restrictions on excessive control over relationships and social interactions. The preparatory committee consists of 10 members, including active idols, with former Teen Top member Bang Min-su serving as chairman. However, despite the necessity of these reforms, fan reactions are mixed. Some fans believe a union will not cause significant harm to idols, while others worry it could weaken the industry structure, undermine contracts, and create instability that would affect trainees and new talent.