The Dark Side of K-Pop Dreams: Trainees Share Their Harrowing Experiences

Sat Feb 07 2026 07:21:32 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

An increasing number of young hopefuls are drawn to South Korea in pursuit of K-pop stardom, but many are facing unregulated training environments and allegations of abuse and exploitation.

As K-pop's global appeal skyrockets, numerous young talents flock to South Korea, eager to secure a spot in the fiercely competitive music industry. However, reports reveal that many trainees fall victim to exploitative practices in unregulated training institutions, facing harassment and broken promises of opportunities. Personal accounts from several foreign trainees illustrate a troubling pattern of misconduct, raising concerns about the industry's oversight and the psychological impact on these aspiring artists.

As K-pop's popularity soars, South Korea has become a destination for young people around the world hoping to break into the industry.

And many take that chance each year to enroll in programmes promising a path to stardom.

That hope brought Miyu to South Korea in 2024. Her name has been changed to protect her identity.

Armed with big dreams, the teen paid 3m yen ($19,800; £14,500) to join a six-month programme at a K-pop training academy in Seoul. In return, she was to receive professional dance and vocal lessons and the opportunity to audition for major music agencies.

There were supposed to be weekly auditions, but that never happened, Miyu recounted on a street in Hongdae, a neighbourhood in Seoul known for its music scene. Lessons were sporadic, and she alleged she experienced sexual harassment from a senior staff member. The company has denied all allegations.

Miyu's claims uncover a troubling facet of an unregulated industry where the allure of opportunity can obscure significant risks. The BBC reported similar allegations from other trainees at the academy regarding harassment and unmet promises regarding auditions.

The company stated it provided opportunities for auditions and claimed that nearly 200 foreign trainees had participated in its programmes since its inception.

K-pop training institutes can either be classified as Hagwon, regulated by the education department, or as entertainment agencies. The latter, including the one Miyu attended, operates under the oversight of the Ministry of Culture, which has limited regulatory powers.

Because training programmes aren’t subject to inspection, it allows less accountability for practices in the institutions. A local official explained that current regulations do not prevent entertainment agencies from providing training to foreign nationals, making oversight difficult.

I dreamed of becoming an idol - but what I went through felt more like a scam, Miyu added, emphasizing the trauma that followed her dream. She remains determined, however, insisting, I still want to become an idol, no matter what.

Another trainee, Elin (also a pseudonym) shared similar experiences, alleging inappropriate touching by the same staff member. She later reported the case, but police cited a lack of evidence for dropping it.

Both Miyu and Elin faced challenges immediately upon arrival due to language barriers and the daunting task of navigating the South Korean legal system, which prevented them from speaking out sooner.

As organizations continue to recruit trainees, their struggles highlight the urgent need for increased scrutiny and safer environments within the K-pop training industry. Elin expressed a wish for future generations pursuing this dream to have a protected space, resonating the responsibility the industry holds given the global attention K-pop receives.