It is no coincidence that Kpop is labeled as the idol industry. From the strict trainee training system to the fierce competition when idol "items" are released, it is truly a real industry.
One of the most accomplished "product" of this industry - BTS also went through a similar process. Therefore, they do not hesitate to mention the hidden side behind entertainment companies, the process of becoming an idol as well as the nature of the Kpop industry.
Despite having to deal with the company, one member of BTS frankly stated his opinion when discussing this topic:
Nowadays, Kpop groups with idols who debuted when they were only 12-13 years old are no longer surprising to fans. There are even children who participate in the training system to become idols when they are only in elementary school. Moreover, the idol training system has hundreds of trainees waiting to debut and dozens of idol groups are released each year.
Not only that, it has been pointed out that there is no place scarier than South кσяєα and its entertainment industry. Here, entertainment is one of the most competitive industries and no one can be sure that they will be successful the first time they launch. Even if you work in the Kpop industry for decades, there is no guarantee that you will become famous and have a high position.
BTS themselves also recognize the fierceness of the idol world and even in RM's song, he also mentioned: "F*ck the trendsetter/ I'm going back to when | was 9 / when | was more human". From there, the interviewer asked him: "Does the stratospheric success of K-pop dehumanize the artist?". Does the extraordinary success of K-pop dehumanize the artist?"
After that, RM gave an extremely impressive answer when being frank: "You start your career very early and as part of a group. There's not a lot of time to be an individual, but that makes K-pop shine: very young people, trying very hard at the same time... You generate an energy that you only have in your twenties. You f̾i̾g̾h̾t ̾ day and night to perfect the choreography, the videos, the music, and there is an explosion, a Big Bang. From 20 to 30, we invested all the energy and time we had in BTS. You get success, love, influence, power, and after that? The root of everything still remains: music... What was the question?".
Notably, RM revealing the truth behind this industry may make the management company unhappy. He added: "My company doesn’t like how I answer this question, because I admit that, in part, it is, and then journalists throw up their hands and say, “it’s a нσяяιвℓє system; it destroys young people!”
However, RM also added an αѕѕertion that this is only a part of the difficult, stressful life of K-pop idols, not the whole thing. Not denying the negative nature of K-pop, RM offers a more comprehensive view. Based on his experience, he found that this was a path worth taking: "But that’s partly what makes this such a special industry. And the system is getting better and better, in terms of contracts, money, education; now there are teachers, counselors, psychologists..."
Next, he continued shared about his parents' thought when he became a trainee at the age of 16. RM shared: "My mom spent two years telling me “Go back to school, you were so good at it, go your own way, go to college, make music a hobby!”.... But there was no turning back". Honestly, not being able to go through college life like other normal friends but instead having to spend his entire youth practicing, composing, and performing as an idol makes him a bit regretful. But for RM, what he has today is worth giving up his life as a normal person.
Therefore, it seems that RM wants to express that if you are truly courageous in facing these things, you can challenge yourself on the path to becoming an artist. Success will never disappoint resilient hearts!
