April 8, 2023
In October 2019, member of the K-pop group Monsta X, WONHO, faced allegations of drug usage, resulting in his departure from the group. Fans were disheartened by the news of him leaving and wondered..
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April 1, 2023
Songwriters, composers, and publishers have long been underpaid when it comes to the live concert industry. However, a successful court case may be the first step to changing that.....
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March 28, 2023
Society has always placed a high value on music. As technology starts to become more part of our lives, social media and music platforms have become more and more prominent in the music business....
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March 28, 2023
The Latin GRAMMY Awards are changing it up this year for songwriters! On March 21, 2023, The Latin Recording Academy released a press release announcing various additions and changes to the awards...
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March 22, 2023
Even if you haven't heard of NewJeans yet, there's a good chance you'll soon be humming along to their infectious tunes. The Korean pop group is quickly gaining international attention and breaking..
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March 31, 2023
Even if you don’t know who Max Martin is, you’ve definitely heard his songs. Hit-pop songs are kind of his thing after all. Martin first stepped into the music world in 1985 as a frontman for....
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March 18, 2023
The Filipino-Canadian duo from Vancouver has been releasing new tracks left and right, and they are known for their most streamed songs on Spotify, “Timezones,” and “Silver Skies.” Previously .......
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March 17, 2023
The singer, songwriter, and actress Miley Cyrus has recently released a record-breaking song called “Flowers” in January 2023. This song recites her 10-year long relationship with her ex-husband....
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March 4, 2023
Men I Trust is a Canadian indie pop band known for their dreamy and mellow sound. Their music is laid back, incorporating elements of funk, disco, and R&B to create a smooth and groovy vibe that is
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March 3, 2023
Artists like Kaytranada have proved that you don’t need access to a professional recording studio to create well-produced music. As technology and social media have advanced, it is now easier than eve
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February 25, 2023
People draw inspiration from others when forming their ideas, it’s a fact of life. Sampling in music is no exception - and artists do it for a variety of reasons. Traditionally, copyright laws and
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Photo Credit: Kpop Corn
In the past few years, the K-pop culture has experienced a number of suicides, which has devastated the Korean entertainment industry. Sulli from f(x), Jonghyun from SHINee, Goo Hara from KARA, and most recently, Moonbin from ASTRO are a few of the most notable cases of suicide.
These heartbreaking tragedies have sparked a debate on the extreme strain and scrutiny that celebrities face in the entertainment industry, as well as the need for better mental health care.
Recently, the 25 year-old member of ASTRO, Moonbin, was found deceased in his home on April 19th, 2023. Although the particular reason for passing has not been disclosed, it is thought to have been a suicide. Recent articles have stated that Moonbin reportedly struggled with stress and life-long anxiety before his death.
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Photo Credit: NME
With Moonbin sharing his mental-health issues, it led him to take time away from any group activities with ASTRO to focus on his well-being. Sadly, this is a common pattern in the Korean music industry.
The K-pop industry is well-known for its rigorous training system that pushes young trainees’ to their physical and mental abilities. Trainees will often spend years in demanding training systems that have extreme dietary restrictions, intense dance and singing lessons, and long hours of practice.
There have been numerous reports of trainees experiencing severe pressure to perform as well as physical and psychological abuse from their trainers. This harsh training system has been criticized for its toll on young artists’ mental health.
Photo Credit: YouTube
Many young artists’ in Korea often feel afraid to speak out about their mental health in fear of judgement or backlash. In K-pop, there’s a culture of perfectionism and competitive attitude that can make artist’s feel that they have to present a flawless image to their fans.
Sulli, a former member of the girl group f(x), committed suicide as she had been a victim of severe internet harrassment. Sulli had spoken out about the pressure she felt to live up to social norms after being a target of cyberbullying but continued to receive criticism from anti-fans.
There is also concern that disclosing mental health issues can harm an artists’ image and profession, leading them to stay silent about their struggles. Numerous fans and industry professionals have urged for more transparency on mental health issues and for companies to prioritize their artists’ well-being over profits.
In response, some entertainment companies have introduced mental health initiatives and increased support for their artists’. It’s important for fans and struggling artists’ to continue to raise awareness about this issue in the Korean entertainment industry and advocate for better services and support regarding mental health.
Photo Credit: Mindset
Photo Credit: Mindset
