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The path to stardom proved to be a harrowing ordeal for one individual.
The journey to becoming a K-Pop idol is not always as glamorous as it appears, with many insiders sharing their traumatic experiences. Such revelations are often jarring to fans and onlookers.
Former Teen Top Member C.A.P Exposes “The Dark Side” Of K-Pop
A former trainee recently opened up about her reasons for leaving the K-Pop industry, which include struggles with anxiety and depression.
The MBC survival show My Teenage Girl sought to create a new seven-member girl group in 2023. The show concluded with the formation of CLASS:y, however, trainee Judy Kim (aka Dasom Kim) was not a part of the debut lineup.
Subsequent to the show, Judy moved to a different agency, and eventually, she stepped away from the industry entirely.
In a candid video, Judy discusses the heavy toll her trainee life took on her mental health, revealing her experience with anxiety and depression throughout her two-year training period.
The intense stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness I faced during that time was terrible.
— Judy Kim
Judy also endured various physical ailments as a result of extreme dieting, caving to the high standards set by the industry. These conditions included a throat tumor, a head injury, and tearing six ligaments in her legs, which ultimately influenced her decision to leave.
Due to those extreme diets, I was frequently ill during my time in Korea. I had a tumor in my throat, a head trauma, and tore six ligaments. Those injuries, particularly the ligament one, made me decide to quit the industry as it left me limping for nearly six months.
— Judy Kim
Judy is still adversely affected by her experiences and struggles with ongoing health issues, stating that she is “still sick to this day,” embracing a more liberated life away from the idol scene.
Her video testimonial can be viewed below.
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FAQs About Trainee Experiences in the K-Pop Industry
- What challenges do trainees face in the K-Pop industry?
- Trainees often face intense pressure to meet high standards in terms of talent, appearance, and behavior. This can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, as well as physical health problems.
- Can the training environment lead to significant injuries?
- Yes, the demanding nature of dance practice and performances, along with extreme dieting, can cause injuries. Judy Kim, a former trainee, mentioned suffering a throat tumor, head injury, and torn ligaments due to these conditions.
- How do extreme diets impact K-Pop trainees?
- Extreme diets can cause long-term health issues for trainees, who are often encouraged to maintain certain standards of weight and appearance. Judy Kim mentioned being sick most of the time due to the diets she was on.
- What happens to trainees who don’t debut?
- Trainees who don’t debut may choose to leave the industry and pursue other careers, or they might transfer to other companies in hopes of a future debut. However, not all who leave suffer ongoing health issues as Judy Kim does.
- Can former trainees speak out about their experiences?
- Some former trainees choose to share their experiences publicly, as Judy Kim did, to shed light on the darker aspects of the K-Pop training system and to promote awareness of the issues within the industry.
