5 Disturbing Stories From K-Pop’s “Dark Side”

K-Pop brings joy to millions, and some artists have had their dreams come true by becoming idols. Sadly, that’s not a universal experience. Some trainees and idols have experienced what is known as the “dark side” of K-Pop.

1. “Spill the milk”

Kim Gayoung became internet-famous in high school after she appeared on an episode of the popular variety show 2 Days & 1 Night. Her overnight popularity led to her debuting in Stellar.

Stellar promotional images for their controversial single “Vibrato.”

After Stellar’s early songs failed to chart high, the group’s cutesy debut image was ditched for a highly sexualized one, along with risque marketing tactics. Years after leaving Stellar, Gayoung and ex-groupmate Minhee revealed that Stellar was forced to wear revealing outfits and tricked into filming sexually provocative scenes.

A screengrab from the “Vibrato” music video | @OfficialSTELLAR/YouTube

There was one scene where a member had to drink milk. The script said, ‘Missing your past lover, Tossing and turning in bed, Wake up and drink milk.’ We simply thought that they wanted her to drink milk to portray a morning scene. The member drank the milk for the scene, but they apparently told her, ‘Spill the milk while drinking.’ She thought that she was spilling it to show that the character had no strength, but we were shocked when we read the comments that said, ‘This scene can make you imagine a certain act’. The member who filmed it was only 20 years old at the time, and she was so shocked that she can’t drink white milk to this day. She was hurt a lot. No one knew that was [the purpose of the scene].

—Gayoung

Gayoung experienced severe psychological distress and continued to be sexually harassed due to Stellar’s image years after she left the group in 2017.

| MBNEntertainment/YouTube

I’m traumatized from only wearing short things during my time with Stellar. So I only wear long things even in the middle of summer. I hate people seeing my legs.

— Gayoung

2. “I panicked whenever I went to crowded places…”

Kong Yoo Jin is a former member of BONUSbaby. During her time as an idol, Kong and her members were strictly controlled by their company; everything from their sleep to their diet was restricted. This, along with brutal practice sessions, led to Kong damaging her body and dealing with depression.

Because her weight was taken multiple times a day, Kong sometimes starved herself to avoid tipping the scales. She was also not allowed to have unrestricted access to her phone or her loved ones. Even after she quit idol life, Kong continued to have anxiety attacks in public places. She eventually left the company and chose to pursue a career as a music teacher.

3. “I was forcefully asked to…”

Vivian Jo Hyeon Gi, who now works as a restaurant co-owner and content creator, became a trainee at age 19.

Vivian Jo Hyeon Gi and her husband Lawrence | @sgkr.singakorean/Instagram

Vivan exited her unnamed agency after a request soured her idol dreams. She said was “forcefully asked” to have a romantic relationship with a producer to advance her career.

The industry had a dark side and certain expectations that didn’t align with my values. I was forcefully asked to have a relationship with a producer, so that I would have a better chance in the entertainment scene.

— Vivian

4. Sexual Sponsorships

On an episode of PD Notebook, an anonymous male trainee shared his alarming experience with a “sponsor.” A woman, who he was introduced to by a staff member at his agency, began to give him monetary gifts. Having little money of his own, he accepted her generosity.

Eventually, the woman invited him to her home, and she made him feel guilty when he refused. After breaking ties with her and promising to pay back the “gifts” she had given him, the trainee realized that he owed her a staggering amount: between $18,000 and $27,000 USD. In short, his time as a trainee left him with more financial problems than he’d started with.

5. CEO’s Assaults

In 2017, an unidentified CEO was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a 17-year-old trainee and a 19-year-old trainee at the agency’s dorm. He attempted to stop them from turning him into the police reportedly by hitting their heads and threatening them; he said their parents would have to sky-high penalty fees if they left the agency.

In addition to this, the CEO took away three other trainees’ phones and locked them in the dorm. He was charged with violating Korea’s  Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse, adultery, confinement, and assault.