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Mental Health & The Lack of Mental Health Care in the K-Pop Industry

The K-Pop Industry has helped brought forward the Greatest Performers, Dancers, Singers and Groups to this day. The industry is a Billion Dollar powerhouse for South Korea and has boosted the Nation’s connection to the World.

K-pop has played a huge role in Korea’s Tourism boost, the rising love for Korean Dramas and Movies being appreciated by International fans. With the growth of Korean Media, for example Youtube Videos by Korean Content Creators are being viewed by Foreign viewers, all of this contributing to the overall Economy of South Korea. While K-pop has only been around since the early 1990s, over 30 years old and it has changed the entire Music Industry for the better.

While K-Pop may have many great things, there are also a lot of dark sides within the K-Pop Industry as a whole. Today, we’ve decided to write a semi-well-researched rant about some things that we have a problem within the K-Pop Industry. Starting with the Overworking Crisis and the Lack of Mental Health Care in the K-Pop Industry.

Before we begin, feel free to like the blog and lease note, if you want to support or request a Blog Topic, please follow me here and Message us on Twitter. We will link all the sources used within the blog and in a Google Doc visible for all.

This Blog is also supported by affiliates as we’re not in a country that allows Stripe Pay, so Medium can’t support us. We are grateful for any comments, likes and shares even if you can’t support us financially.

Bare in mind, this post contains references to Suicide, Depression, and other Mental Health Disorders with references to Trauma. We will do our best to pay respect to the Names mentioned. May they all Rest in Power. Please continue with caution if this may trigger you in any way. After all, your mental health also matters and I will not fault you for finding something more comfortable to read.

Now, if you are still with me, let’s get into the nitty gritty.

Chapter One: Toxic Productivity in the K-Pop Industry

Before we delve into Mental Health, I would like to start with Toxic Productivity, or in simpler terms, Overworking. From what we have witnessed online and sometimes in person, Idols just collapsing after a performance or when the lights go down. They are so tired that they can barely stay standing or walk off a stage.

But what exactly is Overworking or in other words Toxic Productivity? And how has this become the norm in both Western & Asian Culture, specifically the K-Pop Industry?

Better Up dot com says that “Toxic productivity describes the drive to produce while neglecting other important aspects of our lives. We value productivity over everything else, like rest or quality time with loved ones.”

This has become Hustle Culture or that “Grind” Mindset that many on social media push to their audiences. While there is nothing wrong with working hard, working to the point of exhaustion, to the point where you forget or disregard your own needs or those that rely on you, is Toxic and even Physically Harmful.

Companies and even the media have pushed that “Grind” mindset for years but fortunately Millenials and Gen Z have picked up on the bullshit and many are fighting against the system or simply disregarding that system by refusing to work countless hours for barely minimum wage. But the sad fact is that companies don’t care that the Hustle mindset is Toxic or unhealthy, they only care about the revenue they can bring in the more their employees work and as you can tell, even the K-Pop Industry and Korea as a whole has companies like this.

Better Up goes on to state, “Productivity equals revenue, so companies want employees to value it as much as they do. This frame of mind is considered toxic because it’s culturally contagious. The more a society promotes overworking as valuable, the harder people work. And it can also have negative consequences like burnout and poorer relationships.”

Companies that encourage overworking have a special space in Hell. I am sure most of you guys reading think the same and feel the pain when your Fave rapper, singer, dancer or group is tired and obviously working too much. Especially after learning just how much Overworking or Toxic Productivity can Physically affect a person. Overworking of course leads to burning out- which let me tell you guys, is so horrible- but it is also proven to lead to adverse health problems, neck chest and back pains and even stroke to name just a few. Just take a look at this 2016 article reporting on some Idols who suffered the effects of Overworking.

At this point, I don’t even care if they have to put out that reality series or work on a new song. I’d much prefer if they took a week off, no actually. I want them to take an entire month off. I just want them to visit family, relax, don’t touch a lick of music or choreography. Have the free time to catch up on trends and just sleep. God, some of them just need to sleep for a month, shaking my head.

Sometimes, this isn’t the companies’ fault and more so the Idol/s pushing themselves too much, mentally and physically, all for the sake of their loving fans. Due to Korea and many times, Black & Asian, even Western Culture pushing this “Hard & Long Work Hours guarantees Success mentality”, ignoring the fact that Suicide has become rampant due to the pressure on many Teens or Young Adults in or out of the K-Pop Industry. With the stress to perform well academically starting at the young age of 10, it has been ingrained into many, in or out of the K-Pop Industry.

However, as we know, Overworking does more harm than good and I wish I could just grab certain Idols and just shake them until they see sense. I know at the end of the day, many of them choose the life of an Idol and are adults who can make decisions for themselves. I just don’t agree with some of their choices (that’s pretty fair too, not like they are going to care about what some stranger on a blog says lol).

If you have any experience with Toxic Productivity, please let me know in the comments, I would love to see everyone’s thoughts on this as a whole, because we pretty much see it everyday in our normal lives as well.

But before we head into the next chapter, I would like to take a moment to help you save money on the latest in K-Pop Merch. Please bear with me, as this Blog topic is going to get a bit deeper as we dive into Mental Health and I would like to make this a quick break as well as an opportunity for you, the reader.

This is your chance to grab a cup of water and if you happen to like Korean Snacks, Fashion, Skincare and K-Pop or are looking for a place to get it all, do I have news for you. I have partnered with Daebak Company to help you get all your K-snack, K-Skincare, K-Lifestyle and K-Pop needs in one place!

You can use the code UREIGN for 10% Off your purchase. They have more than 10k five star reviews and ships Internationally. Daebak Co. is committed to bring Korean to you with Official and Luxury K-Pop Merch, Snack and More! Try out their Daebak Box, a monthly subscription service where you can choose from their Snack Boxes, the Mystery Box or a One Time Box as a surprise for a loved one. Just check the link in my description or use the code UREIGN to save 10% on your Order!

But that’s not all, if you check out the link here, you can find more ways you can support the blog and save money when shopping for stationary, kawaii clothes, k-pop merch and more. Remember to use the code UREIGN when you shop at Daeback Co for 10% off but If you are just looking to save up to 40% on the latest K-Pop Albums and Merch, then A-Kpop is the place for you. That’s right up to 40% on Official BlackPink, BTS, and TXT when you use the link to Shop!

Chapter Two: Mental Health & Mental Health Care in the K-Pop Industry.

Let’s start with, What is Mental Health?

This is taken from our past blog, Everyone has Mental Health; The World Health Organization states, “Mental Health is an essential component in overall Health, as Mental Health decides our emotional, physical and social well-being. This can affect any person’s contribution to their environment and overall life.”

To put it in layman’s terms, Mental Health helps how we handle stress or anxiety, relate to others and topics, and determine our choices or behavior in life. The World Health Organization, or WHO continues to state that, “Mental Health is key at all stages of Life.”

Just like Physical Health, Mental Health is equally important for every person. However, it has been pushed aside in the media, education, and by society as a whole. Mental Health is never brought up when it can decrease your overall health just as much as diabetes or a stroke.

Just like you have Physical Health, everyone has Mental Health. Please feel free to read more about what is Mental Health on our Everyone has Mental Health Blog Here.

Mental Illness or Mental Health Disorders (they can be referred to as both) are classified as a or many significant disturbances in a person’s cognitive, emotional, and even physical behavior. As of a 2019 study from the World Health Organization, 1 in every 8 people globally is affected by Mental Illness. Making that an estimate of almost 1 Billion people worldwide (as of 2021) are directly affected by Mental Health in one way or the other.

Anxiety and Depression are the most common for Entrepreneurs and in this case Musicians or Idols. You can read more about the link to Mental Health Disorders and how it connects to Entrepreneurs from our blog post here. Toxic Productivity and Overworking also connects to Mental Health Disorders, as overworking is known to harm your physical and mental well being. Sadly, many Idols show symptoms of these and other Mental Illnesses and unfortunately, there are many times where no amount of fame or money can help ease that pain.

Remember, K-Pop Idols are many times put on harsh diets, told to look and act a certain way or their real personalities would not be liked. They are constantly put in the spotlight and have to conform to rigorous schedules, while many of them deal with Anxiety, Depression and low self-esteem or Self Hatred. Not to mention the mental pressure that Society and many fans place on them to be “perfect”.

With the fact that many K-pop Companies rarely care that much about Mental Health, much less their Idols’ mental health, not taking into consideration just how much toxic productivity, anxiety and depression can physically affect a human being. Causing them to spiral and fester for sometimes years, in absolute silence. Until they feel absolutely alone, even when surrounded by loving fans and a family like group. Suicide, seemed to be a last and, sadly many times, most pleasing option of a way out of the Industry and pain.

Considering how many Idols we have lost just in the past decade due to the lack of Mental Health Care and Mental Health Awareness in the K-Pop Industry. We may not have been able to save them all, but if at least one or few had the ability to get the professional help they deserved, then we may still have many of our loved ones with us. Mothers, Fathers, Sisters, Brothers, would not have to mourn and Fans would not have to grieve.

Psychology and Psychiatry Professor, Lim Myung-Ho said, “For a long time, celebrities have mostly avoided meeting a psychiatrist or a psychological counselor as they were afraid that their health condition would somehow tarnish their image,”

We have lost brilliant and beautiful Lights, due to the fear that society has put on these human beings, as well as the lack of understanding for Mental Health or the resources to give Idols the help they deserve as human beings.

Thankfully, since the last decade, there’s been a rise in Mental Health Awareness in the K-Pop Industry and Korea as a whole. Many Idols or Musicians in the Industry, like Solo Star, AleXa and Lim Jaebeom, the Leader of Got7, have opened up about his Struggle with Depression and Mental Health. Groups like BTS, Stray Kids and Ateez are known for making music that addresses mental health struggles and societal pressures.

Personally, I think it’s time that K-Pop Companies implement Mental Health days for K-Pop Idols, as well as have some professionals within the company have weekly to monthly mandatory mental health sessions with whoever needs or wants counseling and help. Just like if an Idol was Physically sick and had to go on hiatus, then an Idol should be able to take Mental Health Days for their emotional and mental, as well as overall physical well being.

Professor Lim also thinks that there are easier ways, as in Online Counseling, especially considering how fast paced most Idol’s lives can be, it would make sense to have Online Counselors if Idols simply need to distress or vent on the go.

Cho Jung-Hwa, a Life Coach at Starship Entertainment, home of Monsta X, said in a telephone interview, “K-pop singers have managers, hair designers and makeup artists, but they often do not have any experts to resort to when they feel emotionally taxed,” she said. “If they can get some direct help from a mental health trainer or professional, they would feel much better.”

She made some good points and I would like to stress that for the Idols or Trainees, it should be a safe and open discussion so that they can feel less isolated and have less to carry on their shoulders.

There has been progress, for example, KQ Entertainment allowed Song Mingi, Main Rapper and Co-Writer for Ateez, time off for his Mental Health due to Psychological Anxiety, from late 2020 to 2021 (a total of 8 months). While KQ is still a Family like and small Entertainment Company (that is still flawed), I would like to see this more, from Companies like JYP, Starship, Cube Entertainment and even Hybe.

“Celebrities are generally more impressionable than non-celebrities,” Lim Myung- Ho said. “They often take the brunt of the emotional labor too, because they frequently conceal their genuine emotions in front of the public. In the short run, having a regular mental health check-up may seem unnecessary, but in the long run, it will help the K-pop companies’ financial success by ensuring the mental stability of their stars.”

I would like to mention that SHINEE’s Jonghyun has a foundation in his Memory, created by his mother, that aims to help Idols and Trainees with their Mental Health. I highly suggest checking it out here and seeing how you can support them or even visit if you are going to Korea or in Korea. I have to admit, that is one strong and amazing woman, to take her loss and try and make some changes in the Industry for other Idols and trainees. I wish her the best and all my love to the Shawols reading this.

You can probably tell by now, there’s still a long way to go, but I am glad to see some progress at least. I sincerely hope that those gone too soon are finally resting easy, seeing the growth and recognition that K-Pop has achieved and knowing that their art, their music will live on in the hearts of K-Pop fans worldwide. I just wish that it didn’t have to take, the passing of many amazing beings or the abuse of Idols, as well as countless backlash from fans, for it to finally start to have changes within the Industry.

Chapter Three: What can we do as Fans?

Kpop fans hold a lot of power; We can literally make or break an Idol’s or Groups career. I would honestly prefer to use that power for advocacy.

You have the power to raise awareness for these topics in the K-Pop Industry. Your favorite Idol is overworking and the rest of the group is tired but they continue to put out that reality show. Start a hashtag, bring up the topic to other fans or members of the community. Discuss it in groups and forums.

Remember Toxic Productivity does more harm than good so remind Idols that they are human too and not just a form of entertainment to us. Raise Awareness in respectful ways like starting a Twitter account and sharing your ideas or events with like minded individuals. Check out the Shiny Foundation, in honor of the late Jonghyun from SHINEE. Do your research and advocate for Mental Health Days or Mental Health care as a whole for Korea and Kpop Idols.

Raise Awareness in respectful ways like starting a Twitter account and sharing your ideas or events with like minded individuals. Do your research and advocate for Mental Health Days or Mental Health care as a whole for Korea and K-pop Idols. Support Idol from Companies like KQ or Starship Entertainment, that allow their Idols the time & resources needed to mend their mental state.

Highlight Speakers on the topic of Mental Health in Kpop, like BTS, Jay B and recently Beomhan the Ex-F M Trainee that Spoke up on his own Mental Health Struggles.

Show support to content creators that touch on topics like this. Follow and share their content to bring more eyes on the issues. Share this blog with your friends and fellow fans to help bring more eyes and start discussions. Try making your own content, be it blogs on Tumblr, Tweets on Twitter (yes I am still gonna call it twitter) and Videos on Tik Tok or Youtube to bring more awareness on these less spoken about necessities in the industry.

If you get a chance to meet your Idols at fan meets or on a fan call, quickly speak to them about your own experiences with mental health, how they helped inspire you. Let your fave Idols know that they are not alone. That they and their feelings do matter.

So, what do you think? Should K-pop Idols and Trainees be allowed Mental Health Days and have access to mental health care? Did anything else I mentioned stand out to you, tell me what in the comments.

That was probably a lot, but this will be separated into more parts because I would like to talk about homophobia, racism, abuse and other issues in the K-Pop Industry soon!

If you like how this sounds so far, please feel free to check out my blog on Medium or Tumblr and follow for more. If you’d like to get more information on Mental Health you can read my post here.

That’s all for now, I will see when I see you. Remember, you can always, Reign Here.

Comment & Subscribe for More.

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Notes

All of the graphics in this blog were created by myself in Canva Pro, or taken from our Pinterest.

The links for any more sources and videos are here in this google document.

This Blog post does include affiliates as I’m not in a country that allows Stripe Pay, so Medium (where this is crossposted) can’t support me. You can save money on stationery supplies and K-Pop Merch using the link here!

All funds go towards bettering content quality and speeding up production (getting better devices, paying for medium, canva pro and more). It means a lot if you can support, even if it’s just by liking, sharing and commenting.

Feel free to correct or critique (respectfully) and I’ll edit any errors with links, information and grammar.

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K-Pop in the Caribbean

As a dedicated K-pop fan living in the Caribbean, I understand the struggle of saving money and traveling long distances just to see our favorite idols perform. It's not always feasible for us to travel to the U.S.A or South Korea, where most of these concerts are held. We believe that it's time for K-pop groups to visit us or hold a Caribbean Tour. A group like Ateez would be a perfect start, with their pirate concept to visit our beautiful islands and feel the love of Caribbean Atinys.

The Caribbean is home to millions of passionate K-pop fans who would love nothing more than seeing their idols perform live in their own countries. According to Statista (2020), there are approximately 2 million active K-Pop fans across the Caribbean region - a significant audience that deserves attention.

Moreover, having these tours stop at all major capitals in each Caribbean Island would not only benefit fans but also boost local economies by attracting tourism and promoting cultural exchange. This move could potentially introduce new audiences to this genre while providing an unforgettable experience for existing fans.

We urge concert organizers and entertainment companies managing these talented artists to consider including the Caribbean on their tour schedules. Let's make it possible for every fan around the world, regardless of location, have an equal opportunity of experiencing a live performance by their beloved idols.

Please sign this petition if you support bringing K-pop concerts closer home - right here in the heart of our vibrant Caribbean communities! 🇧🇧🇬🇾🇯🇲

Signed, a Trinidadian Atiny🇹🇹

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kisses for the oldest 💕

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My Favorite K-Pop Albums as a Newbie K-Pop Stan 

Some of My Fave K-Pop Albums as a New K-Pop Fan

This Blog post does include affiliates and my buy me a coffee below where you can choose to send tips as I’m not in a country that allows Stripe Pay, so Medium can’t support me. If you’d like to get your hands on BTS Photofolios, or a specially curated K-Lifestyle and More K-Pop Merch while saving money, use the links here or mentioned below!

Jay B: Be Yourself

If you don’t know by now, I’m an Ahgase. I have a strong love for these seven men who may never know me. Their songs however, have quickly found a space in my heart. Especially their Leader’s songs, Lim Jaebeom, otherwise known as Jay B or Def. His voice carries so much R&B that when my Caribbean mother heard him, she immediately joked that he was a black man in a past life. His vocals in all of his Solos and with Got7 songs satisfy my eardrums all the time. 

So, when I learned that he was releasing a Solo Album in late 2022, I just had to listen to it! The album named, Be Yourself was a collection of Soul, Hip Hop paired with sensual vocals. Jay B himself has said, “I want my fans to be comforted by it.” Boy, did it comfort. Actually, for a whole month I, alongside my mother listened to the Album over and over, just vibing to the funk, old school R&B vibes it gave me. Only to realize we had yet to look up any translations for the songs.

I was so engrossed in the music that I didn’t look for any meaning behind it. When I could literally feel the meaning. The Mini Album has a total of six songs and the Title Track ‘Go Up' has over 3 Million Views on Youtube. This was hands down one of my most loved Albums in K-Pop to date. If you’d like to get 10% Off when buying your Jay B’s Be Yourself or Seasonal Hiatus Album from Daebak Company, use my code UREIGN.

J-Hope (BTS)- Jack in the Box 

It really should not come as a surprise to many that this Album is on my list. I’ve loved Hobi’s solos and his rap flow since I heard him on BTS Rapline’s song, Outro: Tear as I first really got into BTS in January 2022. His duality and tone stood out a lot to me and while he deserves to lead the Title of the Best 3rd Gen Dancer, he should also be given some credit as he’s one of the Best Rappers in the K-Pop Industry. 

On Sunday 31st of July 2022, J-Hope performed his debut Solo Album, Jack in a Box at Lollapalooza, for one hundred thousand attendees after fearing Armys or Music lovers wouldn’t attend. This performance was it for me. I was hooked on Hobi after this, he outshone legendary music artists that day and his performance resembled that of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.

His Album, Jack in the Box no longer carried the bright colors that symbolized J-Hope, known as the Sunshine of BTS. Donning dark grunge, hip hop, R&B roots, while addressing some deep topics such as his future and society. With ten tracks on the Album and endless five-star reviews, this Album will be engrained into my head and forever change the Music Industry as a whole.

As of January 2023, Daebak company has sold out J-Hope’s Jack in the Box Merch. However, AK-Pop has Hope in a Box and Jack in a Box Merch for up to 40% off using my Link to purchase!

GOT7: 2022 Album

I got into GOT7 before I stanned BTS. I was only listening to Jin’s Solo’s at the time and was hesitant to get into BTS because I had heard all sorts of horror stories about BTS stans, the Army. Being an Army myself and engaging online, I can see that most are welcoming and understanding people. So Got7 was the first group I listened to officially, because I knew Jinyoung from the Drama, The Devil’s Judge. 

Got7's 2022 Album is one of my fave from them, because of how happy and loving the Album feels. Learning that their Leader, Jaebeom fought for them to own their Name and then to self produce an Album that included songs written by the members. The Title Track, NANANA and Performance Video have over 50 Million Views on Youtube. The songs, Don’t Leave me Alone and You Don’t Care about me have a special space in my heart. 

The album has 6 songs, giving you a feel-good vibe, while being dedicated to the Fans. This was the first K-Pop Comeback I have ever experienced and it was so fun, a memory to forever cherish as it really helped me through some tough times. You guys can listen to the album here or Order Got7 Merch and Solo Albums using my code UREIGN on Daebak link!

Stray Kids: NoEasy

Second to Got7 was Stray Kids. I don’t remember fully how I found them, but I think it’s the usual way. Through God’s Menu and Felix's voice. Which I listened to for a whole week before looking for more information on Stray Kids. As I said, I was afraid of getting into K-Pop because of all the rumors. But Felix’s voice really just dragged me in. Although God’s Menu isn’t on the NoEasy Album, It’s still one of the Best K-Pop Songs to date. Afterward, I finally searched more on their discography and listened to NoEasy. 

With 14 Tracks that include a mixture of 3Racha madness, Pop, Rock and more, they easily dragged me into being a Stay. NoEasy holds some of my absolute favorite K-Pop songs to date, such as; Cheese, Sorry I Love You and Wolfgang to name a few. The whole Album is a no-skip, much like all the albums on this list. It always manages to make me motivated while working and has broken all my expectations of K-Pop.

The Title Song, Thunderous has crossed 250 Million Views on Youtube and the Album has won Performance of the Year 2021 and Best Album at the Golden Disc Awards 2022. Get 10% Off your NoEasy, In Life, or other Stray Kids Albums or Merch when ordering from Daebak with my code UREIGN.

That is all we have for now. If you’d like to request a topic, comment below or check the link to request or message me on Twitter. Thank you for reading or listening. Until next time guys. Remember, you Reign Here.

Comment & Follow for More.

Hello guys, It’s Ame. Feel free to subscribe and comment below with your thoughts on this.

Support Us!

Follow us everywhere you can! If you wanna see more of what we post on Twitter, check us out with the link.

Notes

All of the graphics in this blog were created by myself in Canva Pro and Graphonica Pro, or taken from our Pinterest.

The links for sources are within the blog.

This Blog post does include affiliates. You can save money on stationery supplies and Korean and Japanese Merch using the link here!

Feel free to correct or critique and I’ll edit any errors with links, information, and grammar.

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Me Getting into the Merciless devil from hell fandom:

I've watched The Devil's Judge with my mom like last year, 10 out of 10, would recommend, but this is my getting into the rest of the fandom. I'm late, cause I also watched Strangers from Hell and

Jeez Louis, that shit is basically Korean Hannibal lmao, it's amazing tho

The rest of this is gonna be my documented thoughts as I start Merciless and Beyond Evil.

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a blend of violet and blue

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EYES ON YOU : JINYOUNG

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this one took forever to set up because i kept having issues but anyway, here it is. enjoy!

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The Last Archive of my Twenties

Link in Bio to Shop BTS RM Official Indigo Merch, album and Photo folio 💙

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BTS RM, Indigo Wallpaper Aesthetics

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Warmth radiates from Him 🐺

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January Namjoon Indigo Aesthetics

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Jinyoung 1st Solo Album- With Aesthetics

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Jinyoung 1st Solo Album Coming Soon

Follow for discount when it Drops💸

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Perfect people don't exist, so stop pretending to be one.

NF Real Music