Behind the spotlight: Korean stars, mental health struggles and the industry's dark underbelly

Manila: South Korea’s entertainment industry is celebrated worldwide for its glossy K-pop idols, gripping K-dramas, and meticulously-curated celebrity personas. 

But beneath the surface of glamour and global stardom lies a pattern of mental health crises, breakdowns, and even suicides.

This raises urgent questions: are the pressures placed on Korean celebrities too much to bear?

Near perfection in the spotlight?

Yes, stardom is awesome.

But at what cost?

In recent years, the industry has been rocked by the tragic deaths of several young stars: Some of the prominent ones:

#1. Sulli: She is a former member of the girl group f(x), died by suicide in October 2019 at the age of 25. Her passing came after years of online harassment and intense scrutiny over her personal life and feminist views. 

#2. Goo Hara: Just a few weeks later, in November 2019, fellow K-pop singer Goo Hara — formerly of the girl group Kara — also died by suicide. She had publicly struggled with cyberbullying and a violent legal battle with an ex-boyfriend who threatened to release intimate videos of her.

#3. Kim Jonghyun: Known simply as Jonghyun, the lead singer of the K-pop group SHINee, died by suicide on December 18, 2017, after being found unconscious in his apartment in Seoul. In a heartbreaking suicide note later released by his close friend, he wrote: “I’m broken from the inside... The depression that slowly gnawed at me has finally consumed me.” Jonghyun was just 27.

#4. Lee Sun-kyun: The actor, known internationally for his role in the Oscar-winning film “Parasite”, died by suicide in December 2023 while under investigation for alleged drug use. He was 48. 

#5. Choi Jin-sil: She died in 2008, followed, five years later, by her former baseball star husband, Cho Sung-min.

#6. Cho Sung-min: The ex-husband of late actress Choi Jin-sil and a former star baseball player, was found dead in 2013 morning in an apparent suicide, according to police. Though the investigation had not concluded, the intense media coverage and public pressure appeared to have taken a toll on the actor. His death renewed discussions about privacy, due process, and the treatment of public figures in South Korea.

The pressures of fame

Experts point to a toxic mix of factors driving stars to the edge: relentless schedules, the burden of perfection, harsh online criticism, and a hyper-competitive industry where mistakes are rarely forgiven.

Korean celebrities often face enormous expectations from both fans and management companies.

They are expected to look perfect, act perfectly, and always be available for the public — while sacrificing normal personal development and privacy.

Training regimen

Idols are often scouted at a young age and undergo years of strict training under contracts that often limit their freedom. 

Schedules can stretch 16–20 hours a day, with limited time for rest or personal relationships. 

Stars commodified?

Meanwhile, the pressure to maintain a spotless image — fuelled by the ever-watchful eyes of social media — leaves little room for error or vulnerability.

While mental health awareness is slowly growing in South Korea, the stigma remains high. Public figures who openly admit to struggling with depression or anxiety often face backlash rather than support.

There’s still a deeply rooted belief that seeking psychological help is a sign of weakness.

This stigma not only prevents celebrities from accessing care but also discourages companies from providing adequate support systems.

A 2022 survey by the Korea Creative Content Agency found that 68% of entertainers reported experiencing anxiety or depression, but only 13% had sought professional help.

JYP’s mental health advice

K-pop icon and JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin-young, aka JYP, has stirred the pot with a piece of mental health advice that’s got people raising eyebrows — and others nodding in agreement.

So, what’s the deal?
During a recent sit-down on the YouTube show Psick University, the 51-year-old mogul revealed the pep talk he often gives to his artists — and it’s not your usual “self-care first” mantra.

Instead, he encourages idols to power through their gloomy days for the sake of others.

“That’s why I tell my artists like Stray Kids, TWICE. I say ‘OK there can be a bad day, but if you look depressed, blue and sad you’re gonna make everybody uncomfortable. So that’s who we are, even in our toughest days we have to go make a joke, make sure you make everybody comfortable around you,’” JYP shared.

The Internet: instantly divided

Some fans are calling the advice outdated and emotionally exhausting. They argue that K-pop stars already carry an immense burden of perfection.

Others say it’s a realistic take on showbiz — the “smile through the storm” mindset that’s long been baked into the entertainment industry.

Whether you think it’s tough love or just plain tough, one thing’s for sure — JYP’s comment has sparked a conversation about how we treat emotions, both onstage and off.

In response to mounting criticism, some entertainment agencies have begun to implement mental health policies.

Even JYP Entertainment acknowledged the issue and announced that it would offer regular psychiatric consultations and allow idols more personal time. 

Other agencies have followed suit, but reforms remain inconsistent across the board.

In 2020, the South Korean government passed the so-called “Sulli Act”, named after the late star, to crack down on cyberbullying and strengthen penalties for online defamation. 

Yet critics argue the laws are difficult to enforce, and toxic online behavior continues largely unchecked.

Wake-up call

As the K-wave (Hallyu) continues to spread globally, fans and mental health advocates are calling for deeper change — not just in policies but in attitudes.

The K-Pop and K-drama industries are substantial, with K-Pop becoming a global phenomenon and K-dramas driving cultural exchange and generating significant export revenue.

Artists like BTS and Blackpink have led the growth of the K-pop industry. As of 2019, Korean popular music was ranked sixth among the top 10 music markets worldwide. The top 100 K-Pop artists had a combined 90.4 billion Total On Demand (audio and video) streams globally in 2023, a +42.2% spike over the Top 100 K-Pop artists of 2022 through the same time period. 

In 2022, $561.3 million of Korean TV content was sold abroad, a 29.6% increase from the previous year. 

K-dramas have played a key role in expanding cultural understanding and influence between Korea and other nations. 

Fact: Netflix is investing $2.5 billion in Korean dramas and movies over the next four years. 

Closer to home, my two teenage boys and another 11-year-old boy, are all fans of K-idols, and spend an inordinate amount of time watching their videos.

It makes me wonder: Given the global influence of K-idols, how are they taking all these in?

Perhaps it’s time for us to reframe how we view the stars — not as flawless creatures but as human beings.

Otherwise, we’ll keep seeing their bright lights burn out far too soon.