Foreign media report on the "dark side" of K-pop after ASTRO Moonbin's sudden death in Gangnam

Article: "Intense dance and music training under the control of the agency"...Foreigners illuminate the dark side of K-pop in the death of Moonbin

Source: Chosun Biz

Major foreign media outlets have begun reporting about the "dark side" of K-pop.

On the 19th, NYT reported on ASTRO Moonbin as "the most recent death among Korean celebrities who passed away suddenly." The NYT then recalled the deaths of f(x)'s Sulli and Kara's Goo Hara in 2019 and stated, "No all cases are like that but some have been confirmed as extreme choices. Their deaths are forcing us to reflect on where one of Korea's most popular cultural industries went wrong."

The Guardian also reported news of Moonbin's death in an article the next day, writing, "Several young K-pop stars have died in recent years" and mentioned Goo Hara, Sulli, and SHINee's Jonghyun. As for Sulli, they analyzed that "she suffered from online bullying for a long time and that her death raised the voice of tougher punishment for online crimes and malicious comments in Korea."

They added, "K-pop stars are usually selected by agencies in their early to mid-teens and then live under strict control and receive rigorous music and dance training."

The BBC then conveyed the news of Moonbin's obituary and memorial and stated, "Korea, which is infamous for it's intense competitive culture, has the highest youth suicide rate among developed countries. Although the overall suicide rate is falling, the number of deaths among people in their 20s is increasing. Korea's suicide rate ranks first among member countries of he Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)." 

They added, "Actress Jung Jae-yul (26) was also found dead at her home earlier this month and actress Yoo Ju-eun (27) died in August last year."

Rob Schwartz, an Asian correspondent for Billboard Magazine stated, "K-pop idols are being asked for successive hit songs by record producers and fans are pressuring them to look and sound perfect. They have no life. They begin practicing at a young age and do not attend school. It's really hard to have a life outside of the K-pop world."

Moonbin was discovered at his home in Gangnam-gu, Seoul at around 8:10pm on the 21st. Police believe that he made an extreme choice because were no signs of a crime such as traces of a murder.

Moonbin told fans in a live broadcast last month, "I wasn't feeling well but I'm fine now. If I had to confess, it was a little hard. I think it was a bit obvious. Sorry, I'm trying to get better. I will recover one by one and make Aroha happy."

1. [+3,658, -76] Eh.. why are they talking as if American singers don't commit suic*de or abuse drugs? Is there a career or job in this world without its own stresses? Why is it a 'passion' on one side of the world and 'abuse' on the other?? They're acting as if they know why he died or what was so hard for him that he chose to k*ll himself. How can they be so sure he committed suic*de because the intense dance and pressure of being a K-pop idol was too difficult?
2. [+1,407, -17] Yes, our industry has its own problems but I really hate it when foreign media pull this out every time a Korean singer dies. Do they seriously believe celebs in their country are living their happily ever afters right now? 
3. [+740, -39] If the training and strict management is really that intense that they'd rather k*ll themselves then all Korean soldiers would be in their graves right now. 
4. [+633, -17] The 'dark side' of K-pop is no longer in the 'dark' now is it? No one goes into this industry without knowledge of what it is and what it takes to endure. Instead of cursing the idol trainee process, we should invest more resources for artists mental health.
5. [+217, -11] This is an industry where even if you work yourself to death, only 0.1% will attain success and fame. The other 99.9% will work themselves to death and disappear.
6. [+120, -4] Do they seriously think these idol kids are dropping dead because of the intense music and dance practice?? It's because of the media and reporters who keep writing articles with false claims to raise views and the people in the comments writing malicious accusations ridiculing them with "criticisms." The intense practice is to improve their skills but what's the purpose of malicious comments?? We all know what the real issue is but are just dancing around it. Celebrities aren't dolls you can play with and throw away at will, they're people who get hurt just like you. If you're going to write something, do proper research first!
7. [+93, -2] This is the typical headline the media in the West put out to criticize our K-pop. It's the same whether its an idol or athlete, we all put in an intense amount of work to achieve our best and reach a certain level. Foreign countries have the same intense training just like anyone else.
8. [+74, -2] They're talking as if America doesn't have a bunch of rock singers who haven't committed suic*de or died from being druggies.
9. [+67, -3] Druggies, pedos, s*x addicts are dying off too and they aren't being controlled.. it's easy for anyone to get caught up.
10. [+66, -6] I think this is more the dark side of Korea than K-pop. We've become accustomed to a lifestyle of infinite competition and societal stress that our first reaction to news like this is.. "we're all stressed.." and "you knew the risks when you chose to become an idol.." Actually, the truth is you're sick, I'm sick, we're all sick and stressed.
11. [+12, -5] No one is forcing them to become idols.. 
12. [+10, -0] It's a job Moonbin put all his dreams into but committed suic*de under the weight of it all because he couldn't bear it.. stop interpreting it as a societal issue!