Global Dream of K-pop Stardom Draws Young Aspirants to South Korea
As K-pop's global popularity continues to rise, South Korea has become a prime destination for young individuals worldwide seeking to enter the industry.
Each year, many enroll in programmes that promise a pathway to stardom.
One such hopeful was Miyu, a teenager who traveled to South Korea in 2024 to pursue her dream. Her name has been changed to protect her identity.
She invested 3 million yen ($19,800; £14,500) to join a six-month programme at a K-pop training academy in Seoul, which promised professional dance and vocal lessons and opportunities to audition for major music agencies.
"There were supposed to be weekly auditions, but that never happened," Miyu told the BBC on a street in Hongdae, a neighbourhood in Seoul known for its music scene.
However, Miyu reported that lessons were infrequent and alleged she was sexually harassed by a senior staff member. The company, which remains unnamed for legal reasons, has denied all allegations.
Miyu's experience, along with those of other trainees at the academy, highlights an under-regulated industry where promised opportunities often come with significant risks.
Other Trainees Corroborate Allegations and Lack of Audition Opportunities
The BBC interviewed two other trainees from the same academy. One also alleged sexual harassment by the same staff member, while the third witnessed inappropriate behaviour but did not experience it personally.
All three stated that promised audition opportunities did not materialize.
The company refuted these claims, asserting that audition opportunities were available and noting that nearly 200 foreign trainees have participated in its programmes since its establishment in the late 2010s.
Regulatory Gaps in K-pop Training Industry
K-pop training institutes are typically classified as either Hagwon (private academies regulated by the education department) or entertainment agencies.
The academy Miyu attended is registered as an entertainment agency, placing it outside the scope of South Korea's education laws. It is one of approximately 5,800 agencies overseen by the Ministry of Culture, which has limited regulatory authority.
A local official informed the BBC that these training programmes are not subject to regulation or inspection.
An official from the Ministry of Education explained that current regulations do not restrict travel and entertainment agencies from teaching language and dance to foreign nationals, making it difficult to regulate such "academy-type agencies."
Miyu Reflects on Her Experience
"I dreamed of becoming an idol - but what I went through felt more like a scam,"Miyu, still a teenager, said.
"[This is] where I pursued my dream, but it also brings back my trauma."
Inspiration and Diversity in K-pop
Miyu's passion for K-pop began in middle school, inspired by Lisa, the Thai rapper-singer who rose to global fame as a member of Blackpink.
Lisa's success is part of a broader trend of international members in K-pop groups. Twice includes three Japanese members and one Taiwanese member, NewJeans features a Vietnamese-Australian singer, and Hearts2Heart, which debuted last year, has Indonesia's first idol.
Challenges of Breaking into a Competitive Industry
Despite the increasing diversity, reaching the top of the K-pop industry remains highly competitive. A few powerful agencies dominate, requiring them to invest carefully in aspiring stars.
Hybe, South Korea's largest entertainment company and the label behind BTS, does not disclose the number of trainees it currently has but told the Korea Herald in 2023 that nearly one in three trainees are foreign nationals.
SM Entertainment, another major company, operates a dedicated academy for aspiring performers, with most students coming from overseas, though exact figures were not provided.
However, the number of trainees has declined. An industry report published in January 2024 indicated agencies reported 963 trainees, about half the 1,895 recorded in 2020. Although the number of foreign trainees doubled to 42 between 2022 and 2024, they remain a small fraction of the total.
The selection process is rigorous, with firms balancing costs and potential. Typically, it takes about two years for a trainee to debut, and only 60% succeed. Foreign trainees face additional barriers such as language, visa restrictions, and limited industry connections, further reducing their chances.
Foreign Trainees and Visa Limitations
Despite these challenges, many like Miyu are drawn to the dream of fame. Miyu and the other two trainees interviewed said their academy catered almost exclusively to foreign students, with no Korean students enrolled.
The exact number of foreigners enrolling is unclear, as they may attend on tourist visas allowing stays of up to three months.
Discrepancies Between Promises and Reality
Shortly after arriving, Miyu said reality diverged sharply from expectations. She described the dance and vocal training as substandard given the programme's cost.
She also reported that a senior staff member began closely monitoring her movements. About three months into the programme, he took her out alone.
"He took me to a convenience store alone saying he would buy me ice cream. While I was choosing, he put his hand on my waist and said, 'good body'."
Miyu said the staff member called her multiple times and once asked her to come to the office to discuss photo shoot outfits.
"He told me to sit on his lap to discuss costumes. I managed to sit on the armrest instead. From that day onwards, I get scared just hearing a man's voice."
Additional Allegations from Former Trainee Elin
Another former foreign trainee, Elin (name changed), also accused the same staff member of inappropriate touching.
She said he called her into a meeting room, asked for privacy, then touched her waist while saying the Korean word for "hip," claiming to teach her Korean.
"I was so scared that I texted my friend and asked her to come quickly,"Elin said.
She also alleged the staff member entered their dormitory rooms, a claim supported by Miyu and the third trainee.
"He would come… sometimes at two or three in the morning, saying he was fixing the lights. This one time he entered my room while I was asleep and just watched me,"Elin said, adding she woke up sensing someone entering.
Although he left without further incident, Elin said she was unable to sleep properly afterward due to fear.
Company Response to Allegations
When contacted, the company's legal representative denied the claims, stating:
"Our company strictly prohibits anyone from entering the female trainees' dormitory without being accompanied by a female staff member, as set forth in our internal regulations."
Claims of Constant Surveillance
Elin also alleged that CCTV cameras recording both video and audio were installed throughout practice rooms and female dormitories, a claim Miyu also made.
"The CCTV was live 24/7. They were picking up the audio as well... I didn't sign any consent to being filmed 24/7,"Elin said, adding that the senior staff member would watch them dancing and comment through the CCTV.
"At one point, he told the teacher, 'This isn't sexy enough — you need to teach the girls a sexier dance,'"she added.
The company denied that the staff member entered female dormitories and stated that cameras were installed only in common areas such as entrances and kitchens for safety reasons following past incidents involving intruders.
"The installation was announced in advance and intended entirely to safeguard the trainees,"the legal representative told the BBC in writing.
Elin said she was never informed about the CCTV installation.
Aftermath and Legal Actions
Elin eventually left the programme and departed South Korea.
The three trainees told the BBC they delayed speaking out due to fears of damaging their chances in the K-pop industry, reluctance to worry their parents who had invested significant sums, and challenges including language barriers and unfamiliar legal systems.
Elin filed a police report accusing the staff member of sexual harassment and trespassing. However, the police dropped the case citing insufficient evidence. The staff member denied all allegations. Elin's lawyers are preparing to appeal the decision.
She also filed a separate lawsuit against the company for breach of contract, citing sexual harassment, dormitory trespassing, and unauthorized CCTV surveillance.
Despite these allegations, the company continues recruiting students and promoting its K-pop training programmes on social media. Elin expressed anger upon seeing this.
"K-pop has gained worldwide fame — and with that comes responsibility,"she said.
"At the very least, I hope the children who chase this dream can do so in a safer environment."
Miyu's Enduring Dream
Despite her traumatic experience, Miyu maintains her aspiration to become an idol.
"Whenever things were hard, I held on by listening to K-pop. I still want to become an idol, no matter what."
