Why hasn’t any K-POP idols CRASHED out the way most childstars do?

  • There’s a lot of K-pop idols who debuted at like 14/15, and I don’t doubt there’s exploitation going on, but how come most idols seem pretty normal?


    Obviously we only see what they show, but unlike Hollywood stars where a lot of mega stars end up having breakdowns at like 25+, we haven’t really seen that in Kpop (of course there has been instances, but it’s not the norm

  • Idols usually go through the experience as groups. They deal with the highs and lows with their group members and sometimes even seniors and juniors. They might feel loneliness, but it helps to know their peers are going through the same.


    Their fandoms are supportive, rooting for a reunion and comeback even after the group has disbanded or gone on hiatus.


    Whereas with Western celebs who started out young, it could feel much lonelier.


    Some of this could be attributed to the West’s individualistic mindset versus the East’s emphasis on collectivism.

  • K-pop idols are often bound by strict contracts, intensive training, and image management by their companies, which aim to avoid public scandals or breakdowns. However, this doesn’t mean they don’t face mental health struggles—many idols have spoken about issues like anxiety, depression, and burnout. Unlike Hollywood, the tightly controlled system in K-pop keeps most issues hidden, but the pressures are still very real.

  • If actually long thought about this.


    The industry can be quite crushing in Korea (and Japan too), but we just don't see the same amount of crashed out child/teen stars in those countries.


    I think theres four factors involved in child stars in the West going off rails after years in the spotlight, although these aren't ALL the factors.


    Sex, Drugs, Alcohol and Family. Theres a lot of exposure to the first three (sadly, a lot is non consensual) and not always enough support from family, who may very well be "ok" with it all if the $$$ come in. A lot of child stars who go bad in the West in particular have drug and alcohol issues deeply entwined with everything else they face.


    In Korea and Japan? It's hard to comment on Family, but I strongly believe unscrupulous "stage parents" would still very much exist there, so it's not a factor that can be entirely ruled out.


    Same with sex and sexualization. Unfortunately, I think this is probably a danger in the entertainment industry in every country/culture. Anywhere theres young people, theres going to be predatory adults, and in these industries, theres a lot more chances for predators to do what they do without being found out. See Fuji TV in Japan. In fact, I do have some unspoken suspicions about this aspect in Korean/Japanese entertainment industries.


    Alcohol and drugs (and party culture) though is where the big difference lies. Drugs obviously are a huge career ender in East Asian Entertainment industries, which means the likelihood of young people being exposed to drugs is far, far lower. It is very unlikely that a 16 year old kpop star would be going to big parties where drugs and booze are everywhere, while it's somewhat known that even Justin Bieber was at parties at 16 where drugs were around. Alcohol is a touch different in that it is very wildly accepted in Korea and Japan... FOR ADULTS. But probably also scandalously career ending for a minor. A 16 year old Western celebrity getting caught drunk probably leads to some hand wringing and tongue clicking about them running wild, but nothing much else. The same in Korea would get them cancelled and kicked out lickity split.


    Which also probably brings up a 5th factor. Freedoms. Young celebs in the West would likely have a LOT more freedoms than young celebs in East Asia. They run free, they go where they want, do what they want, it seems unchecked and this leads to running wild, again with likely not many people looking out for them (and likely more people encouraging them). In Kpop at the very least, their schedules, contracts and dorm systems inhibit their freedoms a lot more, and in doing so, also mean they wont be running free, going to wild parties, being exposed to drugs, alcohol, and some sexual activity.


    Although, as I type through this essay, I think there IS a chance that Korean idols and young stars can crash out, but probably in very different ways to Western Stars. Theres still a lot of pressure and probably a lot of insane behind closed doors stuff happening, but the way the young person deals with it, is very, very different (not always positively either mind you, but they aren't running out to parties to drink, smoke and screw, they are probably internalising a LOT).

  • The kpop system with tight control from the companies maybe have the benefit of .... tight control. The companies keep track of what they doing, or at least try to, and if they do "bad stuff" or meet the "wrong people" they try to stop it. It's gets harder to control them of cource when they get older, but still. So they kind of live in a bubble compared to Idols in US that mabye get to live the idol life more freely and also meet a lot of differnt persons in the industry that want to take advantage of them.


    But you have a couple of "break downs" in kpop. Former T-ara member Areum does not look that healthy for one example.

  • a lot of them do crash out


    for every BTS/BP/Twice/BB etc there are hundreds and thousands of nugu groups who crash and burn and I'm pretty sure some of them are underage as well - they just go back to having regular lives

  • It’s just different culture. Celebrities in the west get away with tons of stuff, that may not affect their career. While in SK is very strict.


    Plus kpop groups live in dorms, with handlers (managers), often have to ask for permission to leave (or sneak out) etc etc.


    When your a child star with money, no one can say no to you. Not your parents, not your company, so they tend to go down bad paths. Plus drugs etc, just aren’t as frowned upon in west vs SK.

  • As an Asian living in US currently, I will say that culture is very different. People in Asia are much more prone to difficulties compared to Western People. They just swallow everything and focus on their goal, plan or job. Also idols have very tight schedules, which means even if they are at the brink of crashing out they won’t, cuz their hands, minds and legs are busy all the time. So there is literally 0 time for crashing out or they just forget because of other things.


    Also idols live together and as a person who studied at boarding school your friends will help you a lot consciously or unconsciously. They will always be there for you and with you. It helps you a lot believe me or not both mentally and emotionally.


    Also idol industry has very strict rules like in any traditional Asian kid’s family. So they are used to that too. They restrict many things and navigate you all the time like in Kindergarten, which keeps you afloat mentally.


    Also there are a lot of supportive fans on your side, managers, friends from other groups.

    If crashing out is inevitable then it means idols get into hiatus. I mean crashing out is a stretch, but creation of mental health issues is an equivalent for crashing out in Asian society or idol industry most of the time. So, idols go to hiatus to take care of themselves, so they won’t crash out or go crazy in literal sense

  • This plus the strict discipline and sense of honor in our society further helps avoid this. Do Koreans crash out? Hell yes, but far less than the West. It's the same reasons in Western nations that the least violent or angerable section of your society happens to be the Asian population

  • Also idols live together and as a person who studied at boarding school your friends will help you a lot consciously or unconsciously. They will always be there for you and with you. It helps you a lot believe me or not both mentally and emotionally.

    This is one of the main reasons idols form these seemgly inseparable friendships or families

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