VCHA KG, Wanting to be loved but without an effort…K-Pop is also an industry

《Lee Min-kyung's Siren》

Lee Min-kyung from TenAsia sounds the alarm on the rapidly evolving entertainment industry, highlighting unseen issues and alerting to threats and changes surrounding the entertainment world.

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Controversy has erupted in the K-pop industry as KG, an American member of the girl group VCHA, claims abuse by her agency. Industry insiders caution against generalizing her personal grievances as systemic issues within the K-pop industry, citing the subjective and vague nature of her allegations. Some even speculate that these claims are a fallout from VCHA's lackluster performance.

KG recently took to social media to allege abuse by specific staff members and announced a lawsuit to terminate her contract with JYP Entertainment. She cited three main grievances: an environment causing eating disorders, overwhelming debt leading to insufficient pay, and intense work demands with restricted personal life.

Given that all VCHA members, including 17-year-old KG, are teenagers, any agency-imposed dietary restrictions could be a significant human rights issue. However, JYP Entertainment is known for not enforcing weight loss under the direction of producer Park Jin-young. Many industry professionals affirm that "it's a world where forced dieting is not feasible. Major agencies prioritize human rights protection. Members typically manage their diets after seeing themselves on screen."

The difficulty of voluntary weight management cannot be labeled a 'social issue' nor is it unique to the K-pop industry. Weight management is a common challenge for professionals in industries that value beauty or physical ability. It's akin to the efforts of dancers or athletes who adjust their weight for performance, or actors who fluctuate their weight for roles.

The 'overwhelming debt' is also part of the process to generate profit. K-pop is a commercial enterprise, and all businesses rely on investment to generate revenue. It's natural for debt to accumulate before profits. The debt KG refers to is the investment made by the agency for trainee development. Trainees receive vocal and dance training without upfront costs, and the agency recoups these expenses before paying the artist. This is similar to the global music industry, where production costs are recouped before profits are shared with artists. The absence of a trainee system abroad means the debt scale isn't as large as for K-pop idols. If profits aren't made, the debt isn't charged to the trainee personally; the company assumes the risk.

Intense work demands and personal life restrictions need to be considered separately. High work demands are common for artists worldwide due to the high demand from fans and the revenue they generate for companies and broadcasters. While this doesn't justify the ethicality of such demands, it doesn't warrant labeling the entire K-pop industry negatively.

KG's most logical claim is regarding 'personal life restrictions.' The invasion of privacy is a challenge faced by artists globally. However, the lack of freedom in dating due to fan expectations based on pseudo-romantic feelings is a unique issue in the K-pop industry not commonly seen in international markets.

If KG intended to claim abuse, she should have provided more detailed evidence in her statement. Her current claims lack the logic to substantiate 'abuse,' aside from personal life restrictions. The rest appear to be personal grievances about the burdens of being an artist.

All industries evolve to meet public demand. The K-pop system has satisfied both domestic and global demand. To align with global aesthetic standards, K-pop members voluntarily manage their weight. The well-structured groups and their worldviews meet global demand, making the trainee system essential. The efforts of those who strive for the industry's sustainability and growth should not be dismissed as 'deep-rooted issues in the K-pop industry.'

Lee Min-kyung, TenAsia Reporter 2min_ror@tenasia.co.kr