K-Pop Dreams Derail: Foreign Trainees Share Harrowing Experiences

Sat Feb 07 2026 07:24:54 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Young aspiring K-Pop stars recount their struggles and experiences of exploitation in South Korea's competitive entertainment industry, revealing issues of harassment and unregulated training practices.

Miyu, a young aspiring K-Pop star, reveals the harsh realities behind the glamour of the K-Pop industry. Enrolled in a training academy in Seoul, she faced unfulfilled promises of auditions, inadequate training, and harassment. Other trainees shared similar experiences, highlighting an underregulated industry that risks the welfare of its foreign students—a story echoed by many in the pursuit of fame.

As K-pop's popularity soars, South Korea has become a destination for young people around the world hoping to break into the industry, often enrolling in programs promising a path to stardom. One such hopeful, Miyu, traveled to South Korea in 2024 to join a six-month program at a K-pop training academy for a steep price of 3 million yen ($19,800). In exchange, she expected professional dance and vocal lessons, along with audition opportunities at major music agencies.

However, Miyu's experience deviated sharply from her expectations. She claimed that promised weekly auditions never materialized, and formal lessons were sporadic. Disturbingly, she has alleged sexual harassment by a senior staff member, although the company has denied these accusations. Her story isn’t unique; two other former trainees also recounted similar harrowing experiences, shedding light on the under-regulated K-pop training industry.

The trainees told the BBC they felt pressure to remain silent about their experiences out of fear of jeopardizing their careers in a cutthroat industry dominated by power-hungry agencies. Compounding this, they also faced a language barrier and an unfamiliar legal landscape, which made reporting their grievances even more daunting.

Elin, another former trainee, joined Miyu in alleging inappropriate advances from the same staff member, sharing a terrifying encounter in a closed meeting room. Following her distressing experience, she reported him to the police, but the case was dropped due to a lack of evidence. She continues to seek justice against the staff member and the academy for breach of contract due to the alleged harassment and invasive surveillance practices.

This plight highlights the dark side of an industry that, while glamorous on the surface, often subjects its aspirants to exploitation and abuse. With the rapid growth of K-pop's global popularity, many trainees are left to navigate a precarious path in pursuit of their dreams—a journey that can quickly become fraught with danger.