Underage Idols. Who are their guardians and where are the parents?

  • Something that has always struck me with the kpop industry and that I've never really seen much discussion on or answers on.


    In regards to underage idols in groups, especially those that live in dorms 24/7, who would be considered their guardian? Like who is able to make decisions on their behalf, act in their best interest etc? Who is providing "day to day parenting"?


    I kind of recall reading somewhere that some idols parents might move to Seoul to live near the dorm, but is that always the case?


    Also on the same theme, are their any instances in kpop where an idols parents have really stepped in? Eg Withdrawn their kid or demanded change. I know Chaereyongs mother pleaded with netizens to stop the bullying, but I probably mean more than that and actual direct action. Like in instances of scandals, idol health, over sexualistation etc?


  • All exceedingly good questions. To which I'm certain there's a mountain of non-disclosure agreements burying the answers. Additional questions, how is it legal, let alone MORAL for a CHILD to enter into a contract that gives a private profit seeking company sole financial control of them as an adult. This includes having to "pay back" training costs that no one will ever look at to see if they are reasonable or even realistic. In the US it's illegal for a child to enter in to ANY contract for ANY reason. Their parents can sign, but also, since that child is part of a legal agreement, they MUST have a court appointed attourney that represents them and them alone. It's not a perfect system and children still get screwed but at least it's something. Also, in almost all cases the court is known to side with the child so companies are wary of legal agreements that involve children.

  • I remember seeing somewhere that some trainees arent even allowed to meet up with their parents. They're forced into dorms and not allowed to have phones. Also i think company managers either live with them or live nearby to monitor.


    Korea seems to have no problems letting their kids be treated like this, all in the hope of becoming rich or famous. These trainees work 13 hours per day, including weekends. It's insane to me and most Westerners i'm sure.


    But also remember that corporal punishment is still a thing in Korea (unless laws/customs were changed recently). Teachers routinely hit students and it was tacitly accepted most of the time at least back when my folks were kids.


    Children's rights, labor laws, those don't seem to be as prioritized there as they are here.

  • Well, I feel like the parents probably sign some type of contracts to give companies some kind right to be legal representatives for their children.


    In Korea (according to what I have read), you can't sign a contract without your parent's consent until you are 19.


    I doubt companies are getting parents to sign off on every contract and agreement that needs to be signed for brand deals, performances etc...but I could be wrong. But, companies are legally allowed to take minors in and out of the country, so they are acting as their guardians in some capacity.


    It would make sense that some permissions would need to be signed away to the company.


    In Jinni's case, she moved from Busan by herself when she became a trainee, and I know that Tzuyu, Bambam, Natty, Sana, and Momo moved to completely different countries and had not seen their family in years. Not sure how it works for foreign idols, but there had to be some formal process in place for JYPE to act as their representatives while their families were not around.

    PGDPGT PRETTY GIRLS DOING PRETTY GIRL THINGS

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  • The first time someone told my 12 year old they needed to go in a diet unless they were morbidly obese someone would have a broken nose... I guess it's a good thing I don't have kids.

    Right?


    Or, if I was Garams parents, the moment that death threats and absolutely bizarre accusations of her being in sexual relationships with CEO's popped up (regardless of her guilt/innocence), I'd have been laying siege to the company dorms until the kid is in the car home with me.


    Some of the outfits underage idols wear even, some of the choreo, just straight up NOPE if I was a parent.

  • The first time someone told my 12 year old they needed to go in a diet unless they were morbidly obese someone would have a broken nose... I guess it's a good thing I don't have kids.

    A lot of these parents may also be stage parents and managers.


    I know Hyein has been modeling for years, and she's only like 14. Not saying she was forced or anything, but some parents want their kids to be stars.

    PGDPGT PRETTY GIRLS DOING PRETTY GIRL THINGS

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  • Right?


    Or, if I was Garams parents, the moment that death threats and absolutely bizarre accusations of her being in sexual relationships with CEO's popped up (regardless of her guilt/innocence), I'd have been laying siege to the company dorms until the kid is in the car home with me.


    Some of the outfits underage idols wear even, some of the choreo, just straight up NOPE if I was a parent.

    Absolutely... I have come to the conclusion based on seeing the actions companies have taken to protect idols that they are ALL run by cowards.

  • I would assume it's similar to sending your kids to boarding school. The school takes on responsibility as their guardian while they're there and can do things related to their schooling or minor medical decisions. Like I'm sure the company takes on the responsibility of making sure they attend school and maintain passing grades or that they receive the necessary check ups or are able to see a doctor as needed for things like dental procedures or if they're sick. Anything major would still fall to the parents (like say they need to be admitted to the hospital for the flu or if they need emergency surgery... the parents would still have to sign those consents unless they give medical proxy to the company which feels unlikely).


    I feel like for a lot of parents, they want their kids to succeed and there's certainly been stories about idols who have parents who were originally against them being an idol. I remember one idol said his parents only agreed because they thought he wouldn't be good at it and would eventually come home and focus on school. If they really think their kids have a real shot at being an idol, I guess it's a matter of them just wanting to support them. I know back in the days of 2nd gen it was pretty common to hear stories about poor kids trying to earn money for their family by joining companies and working.

  • hyuna's parents pulled her out of wonder girls when she was 14 bc her health was poor at the time. i want to say kyla from pristin was pulled out by her parents and moved back home. it happens, but not very often.


    now i think a lot of idols come from super wealthy families, so it's different, but in 1st and 2nd gen a lot of idols came from poor families so they didn't really have money or connections to back them. in those situations i feel like it's easier for those kids to be taken advantage of


    but really a lot of these kids don't see their parents for years if they're from outside sk, or very minimally even if they are. their lives are largely controlled by the company and their managers. they aren't "parented" as much. it seems like they're mostly fending for themselves or completely dependent on the company. an idol with parents who actually care about them and isn't just after their money is probably rare


    it's not any different from western child stars. a lot of their parents are pretty abusive and neglectful. i imagine it's not that different for idols

    ɪ

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  • oh parents pulling them out - the parents of the some of the TRCNG members pulled them out of the group and exposed TS Entertainment abusing them. They didn't have utilities in the place they were staying.


    I've also heard of cases where the parents of the members end up helping support the group. I've heard that Seventeen and Astro's parents helped buy some of the things they needed when they were in their early debut days because the companies couldn't afford them or wouldn't buy them.

  • oh parents pulling them out - the parents of the some of the TRCNG members pulled them out of the group and exposed TS Entertainment abusing them. They didn't have utilities in the place they were staying.


    I've also heard of cases where the parents of the members end up helping support the group. I've heard that Seventeen and Astro's parents helped buy some of the things they needed when they were in their early debut days because the companies couldn't afford them or wouldn't buy them.

    TS Entertainment really was hell on Earth.

    PGDPGT PRETTY GIRLS DOING PRETTY GIRL THINGS

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  • its the wierdest thing about kpop


    kids being raised by public companies, i think 14 should be the minimum age of living in a dorm, as it happens oftne in western world, but just with sports

  • Don't think the "team leader" could act as a "guardian" in the legal sense of the word. Some of them are also minors and cannot take legal responsibility for a minor.

    PGDPGT PRETTY GIRLS DOING PRETTY GIRL THINGS

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  • Besides the more obvious issues of sexualization and physical abuse -

    As much as I loved April's music from the start their ages always bothered me especially Jinsol's (another 13 year old maknae!!!). And even though we don't know the full truth of the bullying mess it's clear enough DSP dropped the fucking ball and either ignored or outright enabled nasty behavior between teenage girls for years. I doubt they're the only ones too.

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