IU puts an end to this discussion

It is yet another thing unique with K-pop.

And S.korea is not a society which hypocritically hides its hierarchies behind virtue signalling like in the West.

Almost all societies honour creative artists more than perfomance (only) artists, even if performers get more money and fame.

When Bob Dylan brought back composing-lyrics-singing by one person, he pretty much broke the industry which had different people doing these things. He took the stratification to a different level - Nobel and what not.

Though there are idols who do their creative work, like IU, they tend to be exceptions.

And then idol industry focuses increasingly more on the visual aspects, an industry where "visual" is an openly acknowledged role.

Another dissonance in modern world is, that visual beauty and associated things are not considered earned dignity of a person, yet billions are made-spent in appearance.

So a profession highlighting appearance again will be popular, but not respected as much.Not limited to S.korea.

And the emphasizes on visuals, then dance has become some much at the cost of actual singing ability, that some idols.. Well I know kids in my neighborhood forced to learn music, doing a better job at it.

Idols are definitely artists, even if they get immense fame and wealth, whether they will get the respect of musician.. that will take a lot of more time.

K-pop is barely 30 years old, cultural attitudes are formed over centuries.

So even people who enjoy kpop, would tend to disrespect it. As proved by MAMA, when it preferred actors over idols, even though the award ceremony was for idols.

IU can try, she/BTS getting accolades from govt. will all earn respectability slowly.

But it will be a long road.

there are definitely differences between idols and whatever people define as "real musicians" but both work equally as hard so I think using these differences to degrade idols is pointless.

Idols are performers. If you consider people who dance or sing for a living as "artists", then idols are by definition "artists" as well.

Individuals can be used to judge a professional category only to an extent.

All professions have an hierarchy, unstated if not official.

No profession should be disrespected, that's true, but not all professions or categories within the same profession have the same degree of valuation. That's unavoidable.

In medicine, do you think plastic surgeons will have the same esteem as neuros.

Though plastic surgeons might make more money and are popular.

In programming, application programmers are the kind of all rounder more exposed to actual users, but they don't have the esteem given to system programmers.

Like that idols are artists, sure. But not all artists will have the same esteem.

Hierarchies are unavoidable in human society.

Heck, isn't there so many hierarchies within idols themselves.

Age, Seniority, Big 3/4 privilege.

Or within groups.

But yes, IU, BTS etc can do such things to reduce disrespecting of idols.

Such things are natural when professions are young, go back 100-150 years, acting was considered a "bad" profession, actors not accepted in the good society etc.

But now it is different.

Idols are just about 30 years old as a professional category