Are idols really as restricted as they are made out to be?

some are

but you gotta remember there is a diverse raange of kpop idols from various different companies in different stages of their careers

no one is going to restrict idols such as Big Bang or BTS or BP or Twice since they are established

now do I think newer rookies from lets say mid tier and "nuguer" companies suffer from those restrictions - of course

I remember watching something from StayC that they said they only were given their phones after they won 3 music award shows or something ( bartkun ???)

I think it depends tbh. Rookie years probably yes things seem more strict and less freedom overall. I think as years pass idols are free to do mostly whatever they want as long as they follow the companies guidelines (not dyeing hair and keep a certain weight etc) and keep out the public eye

It might also depend on how successful a idol/group is too

It’s just like an employee, depends on the company, seniority, if they’re bringing money etc more money = less likely the company will care if you don’t have a fit body or get into controversy

the companies put restrictions yes but there's one main thing idols sell which innately restricts a lot of things they can do

I mean the whole avoiding the public eye thing (which granted is the case for any celeb) sounds fuck awful restrictive

They can't just pop down to the shops or out to dinner with a friend (particularly of opposite gender) without running the risk of being photographed and mobbed. Or they have to go to ridiculous lengths to hide themselves with hoodies, beanies, glasses, masks etc.

That alone would drive me insane.

The forced dorming thing also sounds awful and restrictive, especially for grown adults.

Quote from bartkun

with STAYC case was a bit different they were using one phone for social media and all that

but Rado PD promised that if they win a music show on public tv channel he will buy members new phones

altough at first they didn't win such show, but smaller ones he still bought them those phones

ahhh so they did have like personal phones?

Quote from bartkun

there was one phone for the group

mostly to take selfies and all that

girls talked about it once that for example it was a problem when some members went to bathroom on different floor of t tv company building and they couldn't call manager because they didn't have phone

but yeah since Rado bought them phones after win in music show all members got their phones

he even bought Yoon professional camera, here is the moment when he promised to do so

hmmm...that's worse than I thought

so basically he used the money stayc made on StayC - it's the circle of life money

Quote from bartkun

hard to say if you are right or wrong

what we know

each member of STAYC was paid 73k USD for 2022 activities

each member of STAYC was paid 140k USD for 2023 activities

number for 2024 ain't out yet

also each member has own room and they are living in two flats

more of that was revealed in Jeongyeon's Inspector show

So I would rather say that those phones and camera was more like a 'bonus' from PD to members? let's not forget that after all it ain't your usual case because Rado is co-owner but he isn't CEO of HighUp

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wow they disclosed that I might watch that episode!!!

interesting cheers for that my friend

EDIT: the numbers you provided that's like "profit" right since most of the members expenses were already covered or taken out?