I believe in K-pop. Who wouldn’t fall for it when it delivers such powerful and positive messages? Beneath its catchy beats and awe-inspiring dance routines, K-pop lyrics often promote gender equality, challenge traditional norms, and advocate for a more inclusive society. For instance, groups like BTS and Mamamoo have songs that encourage self-love and acceptance, transcending gender boundaries.

Furthermore, K-pop artists frequently address the importance of fighting for one’s rights. Songs like BTS’s “Not Today” and Dreamcatcher’s “Scream” are anthems of resistance and empowerment, urging fans to stand up against injustice. Through these themes, K-pop not only entertains but also inspires and empowers a global audience to advocate for positive change.

 

Despite its global popularity and positive messages, K-pop has faced significant scandals that have exposed troubling issues within the industry. One major concern is the exploitation of young talents. Trainees, often recruited at a very young age, endure grueling schedules, intense training, and severe dietary restrictions. These aspiring idols sign long-term contracts, sometimes referred to as “slave contracts,” which often lead to physical and mental exhaustion. The pressure to succeed and maintain a flawless image can have severe consequences.

One of the most notorious scandals that rocked the K-pop world is the Burning Sun case. This scandal emerged in early 2019, involving a nightclub in Seoul co-owned by Seungri, a former member of the popular group BIGBANG. The investigation uncovered a web of criminal activities, including drug distribution, sexual assault, prostitution, police corruption, and the sharing of non-consensual sex videos in group chats that included K-pop singers.

High-profile scandals like the Burning Sun case have tarnished the image of K-pop, making its positive messages seem like a façade.

Some argue that these issues reveal a disturbing contradiction within the industry, where the drive for perfection and commercial success often comes at the expense of artists’ health, safety, and integrity. Although what happened in that nightclub may have no direct bearing on the K-pop industry itself, it is hard to ignore the common element of young people, mainly females, falling victim to exploitation by those with power.

As fans and observers demand greater transparency and reform, it is clear that the K-pop industry needs to devote efforts to change. However, this does not mean that the positive messages promoted by K-pop should be dismissed as false and nonsensical. On the contrary, K-pop can still be a source of inspiration, wisdom, and encouragement. How is this possible? K-pop is no longer just a 3-minute candy for the ears, fed by industry moguls to passive listeners. K-pop moves in a much wider context, connected with players in fields such as films, social media content, academia, activism, and fandom. Through these points of connection, K-pop transforms into a message of hope and resilience, while also sparking debates, controversies, and warnings against inequality. K-pop is hardly a social movement, but it certainly is a social phenomenon.

In the film Ballerina (2023), Ok-joo, a bodyguard by profession, discovers that her close friend committed suicide because she was involved in an illicit sex video, and embarks on a lethal journey to find the man responsible and avenge her death. The plot’s premise is terrifyingly close to real-life incidents, making it nag at the back of the mind that this movie might capitalize on a tragic accident to create stylish action scenes for the main character, Ok-joo. Does this story of sex video and revenge trivialize the real criminal cases of sex videos? In the film’s ending, Ok-joo knocks the man down on the beach. It is dark. The gentle beating sound of Gray’s “Coda” drips into the scene like night dew slowly wetting the sands of the beach. A glimmer of light flickers on the farthest horizon. The man begs for his life but is not repentant. Then Ok-joo blows a giant stream of fire from her flamethrower at him. She seems sad but determined. Yes, determined, as in BTS’s “Not Today,” to survive against all odds in a world rife with treacherous men. After all, she was not cheapening the victims of the real incident but remembering them.

I hope K-pop can also endure and overcome the challenges posed by these scandals. Despite the shadows cast by such controversies, the essence of K-pop — its powerful messages, inspiration, and global impact — can continue to thrive and inspire.