Demands and pressure for results from an aggressive culture industry may underlie the angst that drives young stars to end their lives
the death of Singer Haesoo29, a familiar name within the oriental genus called k-trot, a sort of forerunner of k-pop, once again sets off an alarm in the stubborn South Korean pop music industry. Haesoo left a farewell letter before taking his own life. Her shortened departure has already been placed in a tragic funeral gallery, along with other young K-pop stars who allegedly committed suicide while living under the pressures of one of the world’s most demanding star-making machines.
In addition to signing restrictive contracts, with clauses banning tattoos in apparent places (there’s a major rejection by the country’s more conservative public) to unauthorized haircuts, some are barred from dating (or publicly assuming they are dating ) and have their weight and appearance kept in check. After some time, the bill started coming.
In 2019, fans mourned the untimely and unexplained deaths of Sulli of group f(X) and Goo Hara of group Kara between 2008 and 2015. Another deeply felt departure, and with cause undisclosed at the request of the family, it was from Yohan, one of the stars of the TST group. Journalist and filmmaker Lee Hark-joon, responsible for a documentary about the band Nine Muses and author of the book K-Pop Idols: Popular Culture and the Emergence of the Korean Music Industry, spoke on the subject to the New York Times: ” They live a rote life from an early age through a Spartan training regimen. They are rarely given the chance to develop a normal school life or social relationships.”
Source: Terra
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
