As K-pop's popularity soars, South Korea has become a destination for young people around the world hoping to break into the industry. Each year, many take that chance to enroll in programs promising a path to stardom.
Among them is Miyu, who came to South Korea in 2024 with dreams and a payment of 3 million yen (approximately $19,800) for a six-month program at a K-pop training academy in Seoul. In exchange, she expected professional dance and vocal lessons and opportunities to audition for major agencies.
However, as she recounts, there were supposed to be weekly auditions, but that never happened. Alongside inadequate lessons, she has also alleged that a senior staff member sexually harassed her. These allegations expose a dark side to an industry that is often viewed through the glamor of K-pop idols.
Miyu's experience reflects the challenges faced by aspiring idols, and she is not alone. The BBC spoke with two other trainees from the academy, both of whom corroborated her claims of harassment and the lack of promised audition opportunities.
The training academy, which operates outside the stringent regulations faced by educational institutions, is one of around 5,800 companies in South Korea that lack proper supervisory oversight. A local official stated that the regulation powers of the Ministry of Culture over these agencies are limited, leading to a guest-heavy environment that can foster harassment without accountability.
Miyu expressed her continued dream of stardom despite her harrowing experiences, saying, I dreamed of becoming an idol - but what I went through felt more like a scam. She emphasized the need for safety and better regulation as aspiring artists seek their dreams in a cutthroat industry. The troubling truth is that while K-pop has gained immense global fame, it also carries the responsibility to protect those who continually chase the dream.
