Pressure behind the limelight in K-pop: Idols are under overwhelming stress from work and hate from anti-fans, their final resort can be extreme
Being an idol can come with insurmountable stress that is not talked about as much as it should.
Intense schedules are nothing new to K-pop idols. During promotions, solo artists and idol groups have to join a series of music shows, radio shows, and stage performances. As a result, there are many nights they cannot afford to sleep. When an artist or an idol member works in various fields, which is usually the case, they have to be on a roll with various schedules, from TV programs to acting projects, as well as advertising gigs on the side.
Kang Daniel shared his intense schedule from 5 in the morning to 3 in the morning on the following day on “It’s Dangerous Outside The Blanket”. IU had to perform dozens of songs for 5 hours at a concert. On JTBC’s “Non Summit”, Kim Se Jeong shared she only slept one hour in four days to join I.O.I’s schedule.
On “Oppa Thinking,” TWICE Sana shared she had not got any sleep for three days due to a busy schedule, which led to a shot of her sleeping and clapping at the same time out of tiredness.
Keeping up appearances is also extremely important for an idol. They have to undergo strict diet regimes and keep a healthy, scandal-free private life. Usually, female idols have to monitor their weight almost constantly.
Not a handful of idols experience prolonged mental health problems during an extended period of artistic activities. Oftentimes, they are faced with malicious comments and ill-intended criticisms. Sometimes, high expectations can also add to a mounting level of stress.
Deaths resulting from overwhelming attacks from anti-fans are, unfortunately, not new. On December 18th, 2017, late SHINee member, Jonghyun, was found dead at his residence.
In his suicide note, the late idol expressed insurmountable pain from the burden of fame and ongoing criticisms from anti-fans. He wrote, “The life of fame was not for me.” He ended the suicide note with a plea and a farewell, “Tell me I worked hard. Even if you can’t smile, please don’t blame me as you send me off. Well done. You’ve really worked hard. Goodbye.”
Late f(x) member Sulli also said she was tired and lonely when no one understood her. On a TV program appearance, Sulli said: “I said I’m exhausted but no one listen to me. I felt like I was alone.”
Most recently, ASTRO Moon Bin was found dead in a suspected suicide. While further investigation is being carried out into the cause of death, it’s enough to show how tough it is for idols living their lives behind the limelight and having to endure hate alone.
Source: YAN News
