A recent BBC investigation has exposed alarming allegations of sexual harassment and fraud within a K-pop training academy in Seoul, where foreign teenagers paid thousands for promised stardom but faced traumatic experiences instead. The story sheds light on the under-regulated nature of such programs, highlighting systemic risks in the global K-pop industry.
Miyu, a teenager whose name has been changed for privacy, traveled to South Korea in 2024 with dreams of becoming a K-pop idol. She paid 3 million yen (approximately $19,800) for a six-month program at a Seoul-based academy, which promised professional dance and vocal lessons along with weekly auditions at major music agencies. However, Miyu claims that the auditions never materialized, lessons were sporadic, and the training quality fell short of expectations. More distressingly, she alleged that a senior staff member sexually harassed her, including inappropriate touching and coercive behavior during private meetings.
The BBC spoke to two other foreign trainees at the same academy, who corroborated parts of Miyu’s account. One trainee, Elin, also accused the same staff member of sexual harassment, describing incidents where he touched her waist under the guise of teaching Korean and entered her dormitory room late at night. A third trainee witnessed inappropriate behavior but did not experience it firsthand. All three emphasized that the promised audition opportunities were nonexistent, contradicting the company’s claims that nearly 200 foreign trainees had participated in its programs since the late 2010s.
Regulatory gaps exacerbate these issues, as K-pop training institutes like this one are often classified as entertainment agencies rather than educational academies. This places them under the Ministry of Culture’s oversight, which has limited regulatory power compared to education departments. A local official confirmed that such programs are not subject to inspection, and an education ministry representative noted the difficulty in regulating ‘academy-type agencies’ that teach dance and language to foreign nationals on tourist visas.
The allure of K-pop fame continues to draw thousands of young people worldwide to South Korea, despite the industry’s cutthroat competition. Major agencies like Hybe and SM Entertainment report significant foreign trainee enrollments, but overall trainee numbers have halved since 2020, with only about 60% of trainees eventually debuting. Foreign trainees face additional hurdles, including language barriers, visa restrictions, and lack of industry connections, making their paths to stardom even more precarious.
Elin’s attempts to seek justice have been met with challenges; she filed a police report for sexual harassment and trespassing, but the case was dropped due to insufficient evidence. Her lawyers are appealing the decision, and she has also lodged a breach of contract lawsuit against the company. Meanwhile, the academy continues to recruit students and promote its programs on social media, prompting fury from former trainees who feel betrayed by the system.
Despite their ordeals, both Miyu and Elin cling to their dreams of becoming K-pop idols. Miyu finds solace in listening to K-pop music and remains determined to pursue her goal. Their stories underscore a growing call for accountability and safer environments in the K-pop training industry, as global fame brings increased responsibility to protect vulnerable aspirants. The incident highlights the urgent need for better regulation and transparency to prevent exploitation in South Korea’s booming cultural export.
