Don't you think underaged idols working under kpop companies should be considered as child labour?

Maybe not? But, I do think Korea should have a law in place that protects child stars. I feel like so many young trainees (like hella young) aren't actually pursuing Kpop because it's their dream. It's probably their parent's dream more.

Lol I always blame the parents first

BH has been overworking BTS and milking them yet so many ARMYs are BH stans. Yall wake up! other companies as well!!!

I don't think so. But if these minor idols are overworked or forced to do something illegal, then it is wrong and should be punishable by law.

Quote from kingkook

According to that Korean Labour Act, anybody under 18 can work given the guardian's permission. It's like the child's opinions don't matter. I feel bad for the type of kids you've mentioned above. They have no say in their career decisions.

Yeah. It's really sad and then by the time they realise their actual dreams, it's already too late because they signed a contract or wasted all their youth training.

Quote from karinaknows

Maybe not? But, I do think Korea should have a law in place that protects child stars. I feel like so many young trainees (like hella young) aren't actually pursuing Kpop because it's their dream. It's probably their parent's dream more.

Someone immediately came to mind as I read this

Isn’t there already some sort of law in place where minors can’t be on live tv past a certain time?

i dont really think so

its their own choice to work and most of them have parents , even tho i hate the companies , but itsn't their fault there's a contract and the idols are the ones who signs it ( well , some , their parents are actually the ones who forces them or stuff like that )

i mean , if they are treated well , i dont mind it , tho , there's some things that the companies should actually let the young idols have , like going to school and this stuff and also treat them well and protect them from the sexualizing thing ( which totally sucks )

idk about the korean law , but if there's nothing that protect this young idols , then there should be ... because maybe their parents sucks as much as their companies , so , u know

In the US, contracts are voidable by a minor if not certified by a court. So, a minor can change his mind and quit without consequences. I don't know how it works in South Korea though.

If they consent for this trainee life I don't think so its child labor but I feel there shouldn't be strict rules for younger kids. SK should do something for younger kids in KPOP to have decent rules that they don't have to go through extreme diets, at least get 8 hours of sleep, and can contact their family members.

im sorry but this is... super extreme and weird. minors working IS considered child labor. that law was updated in sk in like 2015 or 2016, when jungkook was already 18+. most child idols DO stop promoting after 10pm per this law now, as is proven by young idols that had to leave award shows early pre-covid restrictions.

jungkook was a minor 2 years of bts' career, during 2cool 4 school, orul82, skool luv affair and dark and wild. none of these concepts were "sexual".. their concept was literally "hard" school boys until dark and wild which also wasn't an overly sexual concept. the only thing was when they lifted their shirts during wabp pt2 but they changed the choreo for that song after the what like 2/3 times they performed it during their debut? other people sexualizing him does not mean that was entirely the company'sintent.

also, idk how "overworked" bts was in 2013/14. even now. we don't know their schedules. they film a lot of things but often in the same stretch. they work like dogs on their music bc they...want to. at the end of the day they've only done 2 cbs a year since the beginning of their career and they barely ever went on variety shows. they also only do like a major tour once every 2 (?) years? besides love yourself and speak yourself. but they've expressed they love touring.

minor are definitely highly under protected in kpop. but using jungkook as some sort of example for that.... i don't agree with it.

I don’t think so. Because there’s still laws in place that say minors can’t work past certain hours. So that’s why during award shows the younger members will end up leaving the award show earlier if they’re minors because of that law.

But I do think there should be stricter laws in place. Especially when it comes to dieting because their bodies are still developing.