kpop is destroying your brain

[@zoeunlimited]

PART 2 OUT: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jn2le5x_Z69oopY How has kpop influenced YOU?

[@azazbezt]

😭 don't even ask...

[@azazbezt]

@aelore mhmm...

[@alextralexa]

Through Kpop I rediscovered my passion for dancing and fashion, lost 15kg and finally build up the courage to start a YT channel. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@chocochuu]

It made me more open to things, and I think it changed me for the better it also made me more accepting? I think

[@goldilocksandthe3dudes263]

Somehow it hasn't affected me negatively. I work harder now, and my style has gotten a lot better. I can't say the same for others tho

[@mocha-frapppé]

K-Pop has a lot of *"be yourself"* *"I'm different than others"* *"break the rules!!!"* , but at the same time idols must follow a restrictive beauty standard and a saint-like image to protect likeeeeeeeeee

[@mistress.villaina7591]

these messages only started with the globalization of kpop, first gen did not have many of these types of lyrics or meanings. also since kpop was influenced by 90's american music/culture (mostly rnb and hip hop) those messages are also partly imported

[@devashrijoshi9079]

Agreed!

[@ennauak]

the most relatable song in kpop is ugly by 2ne1 lol

[@BELIEVER78989]

Lets be honest here the whole love myself concept started in kpop after BTS's trilogy got famous🤣🤣

[@getmenow]

it definitely is ironic. le sserafim's motto of being "fearless" is hilarious to me because they'll only be as "fearless" as much as the company allows.

[@hannahdigitals]

The rise of K-pop has been so interesting, I think it’s really cool that it’s gotten more people into learning languages and about other cultures. But the beauty standards have such a negative impact

[@KelanJ29534]

It's K-Pop

[@apurvabachute3692]

Along with beauty standards I've also seen early teenagers comparing themselves with these underage k-pop idols and going like, 'omg so-so is doing so well, working hard and earning so much money at such young age and brand deals,' this and that; while saying something degrading about themselves !?!! It's not just off-putting but also really sad. I'm 19 years old and before covid when I 14-15 years old I remember having similar feelings, I was also really depressed, struggled with anxiety and was in general not loving and living life. It's not just impractical to compare ourselves to strangers (no matter how internet famous they are ) on the internet but also harmful to our perspective towards our own life.

[@000S1-d3h]

where are the clips in the video from? the one like a movie

[@clownman9404]

Their beauty standard is delusional.

[@coralrue]

This video is quite ironic since the creator has made videos with titles like, “kpop idol 90 degree shoulders in a WEEK” and “kpop idol slim arms in 2 weeks”

[@whocares897]

The subsequent obsession with Korea should also be addressed. People have unrealistic expectations of the country and even Korean people. They look at it as a fairytale land and come to “teach English” only to be met with a rude awakening. K-pop fans walk a very thin line between appreciating and fetishizing

[@chocochuu]

My mind can't fantom that people fetishize a whole race like why ?!

[@anarecinos1590]

THIS!! I wholeheartedly agree and find it strange how most Kpop fans think Korean people look like Kpop stars and then hate people for looking like normal people instead of glamorized idols. I also think they don't see them as human and compare any Asian they meet to Kpop idols. Of course not all Kpop fans do this but it's so weird to see it happen on Tiktok and Instgram.

[@tammystiletto]

I really understand what you’re saying. It comes from Korea being sold to us like that. We are literally fed that. On a documentary piece I watched a few years back a line was said “Korea wants to do a soft takeover. They don’t want to attack the world, they want to be number 1 in everything and it starts with beauty, music..ect” with the appearance of K-pop alone I can see why people would go to Korea and expect the streets to be filled with the members of Blackpink drinking Boba and dancing through the streets.

[@elsa7594]

frrr i hate these people who are native english speakers withouth an english teacher diploma that can go and teach english in korea. All they do is be disrespectful to koreans and go to clubs. They don't learn korean, they are just koreaboo who are obssessed and delusional...

[@myBquest]

Oh yes. South Korea would be the last place for anyone to work in a first world country, honestly. Specially for women.

[@theo-h6h]

K-pop is a mixture of how levels of sanity you can to hold on

[@Voltariana]

LOOOOOOL SO TRUE

[@ThulisaVena]

THAT'S A BIG,FAT LIE Like Korean idols

[@joseph_wei]

Compare to 8 years of college and half million dollars student loan to become a lawyer or doctor, and only paying off student loan after 40, diet, exercise and cosmetic surgeries are not that bad, aren't they?

[@user-hp5cf5kf8k]

I love kpop but the normalisation of restrictive eating, plastic surgery and editing is worrying and yet barely anyone wants to acknowledge it. The hatred of any sort of imperfection can be dangerous. There are so many problems with it. Idols are looking less and less human and sometimes it really slips into the uncanny valley with how unrealistically perfect they look.

[@vixxexo6855]

Beauty standards exists everywhere and many western artists has also done plastic surgery just look at the Kardashians.

[@terra5857]

i wouldn’t say barely anyone talks about it, it’s definitely a big problem but it doesn’t go under the radar, especially you can see with kpop youtube shorts people always talk about it

[@neharoy3301]

Um I have been into K-pop since 2021. And from then I just saw people only talking about these things. There are thousands of videos and post of both K-pop fans and non fans talking about these stuff. So u can’t say that these topics are barely talked about

[@Jenskieez]

​@@vixxexo6855 we know. no need for whataboutism. we are talking about korean beauty standards

[@user-hp5cf5kf8k]

@@neharoy3301 people talk about it yes but delusional fans are also 80% of the comment section defending how ‘natural’ they are and how the video should be taken down

[@adisappointment3453]

i wanna talk about how the idols themselves can lose sense of reality. being constantly surrounded by conventionally attractive people and judgers who have untouchable standards makes even the idols themselves will start seeing normal people as obnoxiously ugly and will most definitely be loud judgers

[@rabosmalcheirosos5827]

While I do partly agree, I don't think they're constantly surrounded by just pretty people, whenever I see behind the scenes or staff on videos with idols they're always pretty normal, not not ugly but also not pretty like the idols, just normal people. On shows it might make it look like there are only very beautiful people in that world but if we look backstage there are a lot more average faces, and if we NEED to find them on stage, then not all back dancers look like celebrities

[@stellahaydon-smith8221]

That is a super interesting point, have any idols said anything about that before? I don’t really listen to K-pop so I don’t know

[@littlebluefishy]

@@stellahaydon-smith8221 A boy band jokingly fat shamed one of its member who have a completely normal and healthy face and body. However, I don’t think it’s common thing that idols judging average people

[@nia2088]

@@littlebluefishy that happened pretty often especially (when openly) in boy groups :( i thought you were talking abt someone specific but there's actually more than one incident

[@littlebluefishy]

@@nia2088 Oh really? I didn’t know that. Maybe you can give me more examples. Cause I’ve never heard of the groups I stan being loud judgers

[@t.rae.storyteller]

There's something pretty freakishly dystopian about the industry as a whole...

[@anoushkasaha16]

So true!!!

[@cupidlaya]

It’s almost as if the industry abuses their idols 😱😱

[@gayandeuropean00]

capitalism at its core

[@justanawkwardnerd]

So much of Korea's labor laws are rather recent - it's why there was so much messed up stuff found in KPop work. There were no laws made against them (yet), particularly because the industry is very new and rose VERY fast. Gender roles and high standards of beauty only compounded it.

[@anon3545]

Same....and when I share these thoughts with my friends ...they just brush it off.

[@its_jeonsa]

I honestly think it’s absurd for many people, myself included, to be OBSESSED with people who don’t even know I exist. rather than trying to spend just a fraction of my time with my parents who’ve raised me my whole life, I keep spending my time, finding ‘happiness’ and ‘hope’ in those idols, who are practically strangers.

[@TOURGRLXOXO]

Yeah but the tables turn when someone who doesnt know you cares more then ur parents (my parents neglect me soooo yeah)

[@DailyDoseOfQuran77]

​@TOURGRLXOXO Respectfully, I would suggest finding new hobbies that make you happy or making new friends. Please, please don't make the mistake of relying on people you see through your screens to fulfil your real-life interactions with people. It may seem all comforting and fun now, but it won't help you in the long run and will end up leaving a void inside. Nothing wrong with having comfort things and people, but if you solely rely on them and think you are their "best friends ", that can be very dangerous to your mental health. Just a piece of advice I wanted to give.

[@taehyungssecretagent_3098]

The exact thing I think bro I can feel u 😢😢. I love bts really but I’m afraid that I give a lot time to them and they know only one thing that is Army. They don’t even know I am a part of that fandom. I exist. It hurts.

[@elsannapunzel2413]

@@TOURGRLXOXO You perhaps may be neglected by your own family, but that doesn’t mean you should distance yourself from social life and interaction. The “idols” you are a fan of, they do not care about you. They don’t know you. They might seem really sweet and optimistic but they struggle a lot with the standards they have to fulfill. I don’t say that you should totally let go off K-pop, which is obviously your preference but you should try to get a life

[@aroundyou4eva883]

yep the parasocial relationships are so big part of kpop fanculture, it's worrying and we know it's not good for the long run. but it's true though, that kpop might be good for finding comfort and even friends online and get good meaningful things into your life.

[@jinjindiaries]

And that's why we should just treat Kpop like music.

[@dr.disiasab6760]

Yaaa so true

[@sofia-ju8pj]

but its NOT just music

[@tokyo6017]

@@sofia-ju8pj yeah that’s the issue

[@hassnaa-7]

​@@sofia-ju8pj wdy what's that

[@Yoongispaws]

​@@sofia-ju8pj it IS just music bro 😭. It ain't a movie , it ain't fiction it's music

[@wantulanankamba]

It's crazy how different parts of the world have different standards of beauty.

[@zoeunlimited]

also interesting to see how other parts of the world see our standards

[@wantulanankamba]

@@zoeunlimited exactly.

[@wantulanankamba]

What's even crazier is altering your body when a certain trend comes into play, then when the trend changes you're stuck with irreversible surgeries.

[@einhorntaschentuch9404]

@@kiki-1428 did you vomit on your keyboard? wtf were you trying to say

[@meikoluvv]

@@einhorntaschentuch9404 like oh my god

[@tinglar5432]

it’s not just kpop. it’s korean society as a whole.

[@odysseus0990]

Yea it’s a miserable society unfortunately. Obsessed with beauty, status, materialism but no counter culture or advocacy to address how fucked up it is. Korea self labeled itself “hell chosun”

[@pandak4277]

Korean society is a huge part, yes, but I feel like just human society as a whole makes it so much worse

[@thatasiangirl0_039]

@@pandak4277 Nope korean society has it worse than others. In the states, I'm sure it's not common for parents to force their kids to get plastic surgery so that it would name their career better. Companies literally won't hire you there.

[@catchingfeelings2691]

This

[@agentwrench]

@@pandak4277 Korean society is particularly disturbing in this regard. A *minimum* of 1 in 3 South Korean women has had surgery. I remember watching a Korean youtuber who moved to Mexico and she talked about how she didn't realized how brainwashed she was until she moved.

[@lavenderhaze_0]

when i first got into kpop it started to change my mindset and i wanted to look like a kpop artist and to be skinny, back then i was barely in puberty and i already was insecure but now since took a break from it and started listening to kpop again i realized i should just treat it like music

[@vizeath]

I used to work at the mall, and the mall usually played random trending music nonstop. And that was when I figured out about Blackpink. I just thought wow, the music is so cool. Everyone in the building enjoyed it everytime their songs were played.

[@paulinadarowska]

The worst thing that I can't stand about k-pop anymore is the fact that literal children are debuting into this toxic industry that chews you and throws you away. And then there are people who have the audacity to say that idols chose this life, they can leave. Yeah, as if it's that easy. I'm glad that more and more people actually leave as soon as they realize that this is not for them. Otherwise it's like selling your body and sole to the devil. And I'm not even mentioning the horrors that some go through because of "fans".

[@janeadikwaone9647]

i felt so sad after reading this im a skz fan and chan is my bias although ive never gone to a concert i feeel im their closest friend . this video makes me wanna unstan skz😭😭😭

[@cantsay2205]

@@janeadikwaone9647 that really isn't healthy.

[@youknowimright1725]

Body and "Sole" Dumba$$

[@befaithful3671]

It not really throws away ..what about fame , name ,money , success and all those lifetime moment that got...and idols enter into industry by their will because they are greedy for fame ,money ,success etc ...why all people behave like idols are not getting anything and company get everything. They are in the industry because they want to be there and they are not that innocent like they shows on screen . And even those children are debuting their parents also have their will in their debut because they all are hungry for all those glittery fame and success that's all we can't blame company for everything.

[@Peaceful_Heaven.]

commented on one of the youtube shorts which compared k-beauty &styles from different countries in which I stated that I never saw any k-drma or idols without pale/fair skin which definitely restricts diversity and pure talents too which don't come in limelight due to such toxicity.Lots of support gained from different PPL and response but in end my comment is reported and removed 😂.Social media is helping to spread these toxic topics so we have to use social media as a defensive tool too.

[@staaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Being a kpop stan is such a weird experience. I know of the horrible things going on and I do my best to avoid partaking in all the wrong behaviours and toxicity but I feel helpless when I hear of what people go through. I like the music, the content and the artists as some of them have helped me get through a few tough times but I hate how horrible some fans can be. There's so much that's wrong and I want to stick by the idols I support but sometimes I want to leave it all behind because of how unhealthy it gets at times

[@nikahodder1886]

Personally I’ve never had an unhealthy experience from K-pop when it comes to my self image and the beauty standards. But I’ve recently seen a lot of toxicity between fandoms and within them as well. I love the music, and their voices aswell. For example one of my favourite voices is BTS Jimin. I’ve never gone out of my way to obsess over BTS “visuals” even though they are good looking, but I’ve mostly looked at the music, talent, work ethic, personality towards others, etc. It’s definitely a weird experience cuz I do appreciate it but there is definitely a dark side I highly dislike.

[@staaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

@@nikahodder1886 same here

[@mewmew6158]

I also don't want to support groups sometimes because the companies bring in children as trainees. Bang Chan from Stray Kids story for example made me worry that we as fans are allowing this exploitation of minors to continue by supporting these companies by loving the artists under them.

[@flowersun7879]

I'm a fan but I dislike social media so I haven't actually seen the toxicity of fans that people keep talking about. The most I've seen are toxic comments in articles but they're never from armys like what I keep hearing about.

[@farkhodovakamila7]

u described exactly how i feel about the kpop. could never said it better. though the love for music is probably out of this world, cuz i hella love those songs☠️

[@elecops9825]

Do you know what's sad? A lot of female K-pop idols talk about getting married and having children after their time as an idol ends. But the sad reality is that most won't be able to. Extreme diets, eating disorders, a constant cycle of losing and gaining weight, etc. Most of these girls will be left infertile and lose their periods. A lot of the time periods are lost permanently.

[@Elara-di1nw]

that's so sad...idk but alot of people need to acknowledge this!!

[@GOJOistheBESTuRAT]

Sign me up!

[@Samson16436]

Bring some sources for that because that sounds like some bulls**t. Becoming infertile because of secondary amenorrhea (absence of period) doesn't seem likely at all. "Most of these girls" smh.. the situation is already sad you don't have to make stuff up.

[@gabriellelawal5831]

​@@GOJOistheBESTuRAT you're so real for this lmao

[@lnar]

​@@GOJOistheBESTuRAT you're a fucking idiot no wonder you're a mha fan

[@eszteri.9690]

how do they have energy to even dance and work out with so little food is something I can never wrap my head around

[@abeleva_vera]

Probably because they all young 🤷 we will see all the results of this toxic industry next 20 years, when idols will be in their 40s

[@AnushkaBhattacharya710]

I actually think the way the k-pop industry is made up works against its own sustainability and likeability. Like if you treat idols as products obviously they have a shelf life and a popularity arc. But if u treat them like artists, let them make their own music, let their bodies not be the only thing to focus on and indulge their personality and creativity, they might just get a fanbase that sticks to them even after they go "out of fashion" in k-pop terms. Then you won't have to bother about trends and the next new thing all the time

[@adisappointment3453]

you actually posed an interesting topic, how kpop is one of the biggest producers of fast fashion culture and production

[@paulinemoira8442]

I think it could be the other way around too. Companies not properly paying their Idols, not letting them sleep/eat enough and forcing them to do all sorts of unpleasant stuff, keeps them in a weird twisted way relatable. Instead of rich millionaires with huge mansions, Idols live in a dorm shared with friends, eat fast food and are in a constant hurry. Fans might subconsciously think Idols have a similar life to them, are their friends and appreciate every dime fans spend on them.

[@flowersun7879]

But the biggest reason that companies want good looking artists is because fans will only pay attention to the goodlooking ones. But then if their biggest priority is the face, they will inevitably overlook a lack of talent. So here comes the harsh training to make up what is lacking basically polish a rock instead of a diamond. Companies are vile for doing this but the fans are just as guilty for it. There wouldn't be a supply if there was no demand.

[@adisappointment3453]

@@flowersun7879 fans will only look at the good looking ones because they're taught so, if it gets denormalised and companies starts focusing on skill fans will start to not care about faces

[@flowersun7879]

@@adisappointment3453 it's not even just Koreans that have harsh standards for beauty. Every asian country (western too but they're much more tolerant) is like that but Koreans take the cake in this category. Blaming kpop for the messed up beauty standards in the younger generation has some truth. But how do you explain the older generation being all too eager to point out every trivial microscopic flaw about someone's appearance? I once heard someone's elderly mother say jisoo of BP is pretty enough but her waist is too thick. Being too conscious of one's looks is taught first in the home.

[@sofi-ci5lq]

the kpop beauty standard is insane. most idols workout for hours every day while being severely underweight, not even counting the extreme physical strain from singing and dancing for hours straight. and this goes on for YEARS. predebut years are also super disturbing, where literal children are forced to stay underweight if they want a chance to debut. it’s awful.

[@brigc7755]

Not to mention the heavy rise of 13-15 y/o's debuting and making up ENTIRE groups. I'm almost certain YGE is debuting a 2010 (and maybe even 2011) liner for their new girl group-

[@alissie2609]

@@brigc7755 WTH! I was born in 2010, a group of k-pop idols my age? I don't think that's a good idea... At all.

[@yahalomren]

@@brigc7755 wth?! Let kids be kids

[@guinnmyahslaysstaymad]

@@brigc7755 It’s 2002-2009 the girls will suffer..K-pop Stan’s and I’m talking about the international fans have gotten stricter and more toxic I’m praying that their lives won’t be destroyed

[@kimkardashianlostearring5277]

Pretty sure this happened to Momo from Twice,I don’t think she was forced but she did decide to starve

[@1ia802]

i can attest to the fact that as soon as i stopped engaging in the stan culture of kpop, my self image got so much better. the body shaming and just bullying in general in the kpop community is awful.

[@Voltariana]

For me it wasnt about my body, but about my personality, because these female idols are like too girly and delicate, and dress in a way I would never, and now it is trendy to wear revealing clothing and doing suggestive dances. So I started to think that something was wrong with me for not being this way, like I didn't have anyone to look up to besides Ryujin, who has also changed a bit . Also It wasn't made for me anymore

[@1ia802]

@@Voltariana i understand. i used to be very uncomfortable showing my body and im still not very girly, and kpop kinda puts it in ur head that u HAVE to be a certain way

[@Voltariana]

@@1ia802 truee

[@gueneveve1296]

I used to be really into kpop. But then I started developing more insecurities and even mild body dysmorphia. I also became more conscious of my skin tone - which I never had a problem with, I’m not even dark I’m a light-medium to tan at best - and didn’t want to go outside as much. Once I started realizing I was having these thoughts I had to really step away. Far away. Now I like to listen occasionally, I still enjoy fun music from all sorts of groups, but I don’t follow any groups specifically and don’t really know any individual idols. I tend to only listen on Spotify too not watch MVs on youtube

[@AnaLu07]

The skin tone is very weird and real. I'm not even asian, i'm fraking latina and have a tan skin. When i started to like Kpop i got concious about It and i was like : "Would Jungkook think i'm ugly because of my tanned skin, which is seen as ugly in his culture?". And i'll never even know the answer to that 🤡

[@lovelynagrace3303]

Same, as a South East Asian lady myself, I used to see a lot of Koreans with pale skin and up till one point during my teen age yrs, I hate my yellowish skin tone and becoming tan because of the idea of dark skin is not pretty.. But now I appreciating my skin more cause it makes me look exotic pair with my curly hair

[@lunee9041]

Exactly, as a person with tanned skin I started developing this image of myself that no one would ever like me because of my skin. I have always been skinny but after getting into k pop I just never felt skinny enough, my skin never felt clear enough. I would sometimes go for days trying not to look in the mirror. I hated my features because I didn't look like an east Asian not realising that it is okay to not look like them because I am infact not one of them. I got into k pop towards the beginning of 2015, I was 13 then. At first it was fine but then as time passed by, before I knew it I was losing my teenage years hiding and hating myself. I stopped watching k pop completely in 2019 and I started again last year in a healthy dose. Now that I am older, k pop has lost the hold over me. It doesn't make me doubt myself anymore because now I know how these industries work and I've also learnt to accept myself the way I am. So I feel so much better now, I just hope the 13-14 year olds of now can avoid drowning in that sea of self hate and the feeling of not being enough.

[@queenleslie5917]

@@AnaLu07 LMAO. They are enforcing their beauty standards to themselves so don't think too much about it. Tanned skin is beautiful too.

[@allygreeceree.cohjjy]

Exactly, I got into kpop back in 2009 I wasn't a heart-core fan but loved them dearly after time around 2018 I got addicted to kpop and always felt like I wasn't good enough wether it was about my weight or looks everything I did, had was wrong, I even decided to change myself just to fit in but luckily I realized I wasn't being myself there was this voice inside me telling me " This is not you " I'm thankful I realized this earlier or I would've been among those who actually changed themselves in order to " FIT IN "

[@3_words]

Can we talk about how agencies manipulate fans with a weak heart and mind to think that they might have a romantic relationship with the idols ? It might go unnoticed but it is real and you can see that through reality show or live where the idols go like : Our fans are our girlfriends...Fan remain as a fan and artists all over the world will always look at their fans as FANS nothing more.

[@ariadnaceronorozco6095]

This I had to be in kpop fandoms (army) and every time the voting or streaming was done and you said they couldn't ask for that in such a toxic,They said in a non-ironic way that we had to do it because they loved us, that's why they released songs and run, because they loved us. Thanks to that I left the fandom because for me being a fan is admiring the artist for his music, his talent not because you think they love you that's so weird

[@3_words]

@@ariadnaceronorozco6095 exactly...thats what i mean

[@sofycolt27]

It's what companies also ask those artist to do ( I avoid the word "idol"). They created a perfect bf/gf image for their fans ,so many fans would fall for those artists and invest in them so much time and money. But then it creates obsessive fans that will think that artist is their bf/gf and got jealous if they start to date. I was so shocked when I got to know about sasaeng. It's literally obsessed stalkers who invest so much time, money and efforts just to get around their celebrity crush. It's dangerous not only tor them but for celebrities who don't have any personal space

[@3_words]

@@sofycolt27 exactly and that is very harmfull for both of them...

[@bubblethe]

this is a very serious thing and many PPL are supposed to know about this many teen age even girls my age 18-19 are so into kpop with the thought that the idols are there bf / gf or going to be it's more obsessive than we can imagine hope this topic reaches more ppl

[@Roro-ej7ke]

I was into kpop so much when younger but now I barely know any new groups. Feels like products getting pushed out into my face and the fact that these scandals are pointless and tiring (idc if a male idol looks at a female idol). Idol interaction always made kpop fun but nowadays everything feels too controlled.

[@em-jd4do]

same. it's like i'm stuck in 2017 at most.

[@ClubPuguin]

I like the music but the standards are too much in general

[@aphrodizzyact]

I am stuck in 2009😂

[@myvvrong9207]

This so danger. I work at IT. My team that fans of kpop always comment about my body and compare to some idol. Why? I work at IT only need a brain. But this society today so sick. I am at Indonesia fyi

[@meology8510]

tbh ur right, the body's just something to move the brain. (we should also keep it healthy so we're able to move)

[@theinsecthashira]

Real... This also happened to me in school (most girl classmates of mine are kpop fans, well good thing I am an anime fan and only care about husbandos lmaoo, and some anime characters have realistic body feature tho and very diverse)... Always say I am ugly cuz I don't fit fcking standards (they are not that pretty too for me).

[@LordTevleaf]

according to korean standards, a walking skeleton is more attractive than a genetically bulky muscular guy

[@chiaborealis]

i have a pretty cousin, and sometimes i get compared because she's pretty, pale skin and skinny while I'm fat and "hitam manis" because of my sawo matang skin. my mom and grandma told me last year (i lost some weight) that I'm pretty now. like... wth?

[@tatjana7008]

I work in IT too, and seeing pretty person wouldn't hurt tbh. What is wrong in being attractive inside and outside, although for you its not the case

[@kokiiaa]

i watched the le sserafim documentary about their trainee days before debut, and there was a moment in the documentary where some staff from hybe brought the members into a room and basically alluded to one or a few of the members needing to lose weight. sakura instantly stood up for her members and said that they shouldn't have to worry about that because they've already been working so hard. and yunjin, also from le sserafim, wrote a song about the beauty standard among idols in south korea and how harmful it was because they were also human. although the kpop industry still has a long way to go when it comes to health, i'm glad to see that there are some changes happening among certain groups that are starting to pop up.

[@sarabeatriz5569]

They're such queens

[@kimss7299]

the thing here is they are not protesting anymore, they just adhered to that toxic standard and shut up. Of course what they did was a good start but there’s definitely more to be done

[@kokiiaa]

@@kimss7299 i didn’t say that there was absolutely no more progress to be made. i said that i was glad groups have started speaking up about the beauty standards.

[@nia2088]

yes queen yunjin let's always support her!

[@valemedina4473]

There is a high chance that was a scripted moment, but Who knows lol

[@carolinatorres7575]

I've been skinny my whole life (currently about 112lbs) and only until I consumed kpop content did I start noticing that my tummy wasnt completely flat, I was flat chested and I didn't have curves (had hip dips).I would stop wearing certain clothes believing I wasnt skinny enough so I dont deserve to wear them. Even if you dont believe their beauty standards get to you, it can happen at a subconscious level.

[@UniChimma]

Same, I am also skinny, and my sister started listening to K-pop I noticed I wasn’t that skinny

[@ennauak]

@@UniChimma you mean you weren't underweight*

[@UniChimma]

@@ennauak yes

[@65smalls88]

i agree, i do believe it has got to me on a subconscious level also but they thing that i think is good is that we catch it immediately and recognize that these thoughts are wrong. i feel like as long as i stop and analyze my thoughts and feelings i can keep myself from walking down a dangerous road. even though i’m skinny but in k-pop standards i would be considered fat. but then i remember that I’m a 21-year-old woman supposed to have sleep curves and divots to my body. also that i’m not supposed to be that same weight that i was during the age of 12 because not only is that unhealthy, it can be the cause of my death.

[@gamma00crucis]

hip dips aren't strictly a skinny thing...

[@wang_xian]

Always remembering jonghyun, sulli,…all these deaths, that unfortunately did not cause the industry to change and the fans’ behaviors to improve

[@SanSuSP]

Their deaths was what struck me most because of how I somehow predicted them before they actually happened. In retrospect also how unsurprised I was after they happened. When Jjong died I thought “so it did end up happening” rather than why? Because having been suicidal myself I saw lots of thoughts that I had in things that he kept talking about. Or passions like radiohosting that got taken away from him, gave me the impression of “sooner or later” to me. Just like when Sulli dropped an album all of a sudden. The first thing I thought after was that I felt like this isn’t “just an MV or just an album”. The whole album sounded like a goodbye to me, even talked about it with a friend. So I hoped nothing bad happens to her and months later same shit went down. Ever since I kept thinking that listening to K-pop is such a twisted thing. One obviously wants to support an artist as a creative individual but not all the stress that runs after them. Who likes what they’re actually doing and who’s just playing and giving into the mess because they don’t know how to get out of this misery? I’m still conflicted on it because I do still listen to K-pop even tho it’s not as much as I used too. But I do keep up with SHINee, Epik High or Suju the most. Probably because I feel like the older they are now the more they know how to defend themselves or choose to do what they want

[@MySingleLogBridge]

I was addicted to kpop when I was a teen. I suddenly started to compare their lives to my life and, I felt like I'm a loser.No money, no friends, no freedom, and my dark skin was a huge problem.At that time, I really had suicide thoughts. Kpop really can influence teens very badly.

[@Kavitha2324]

How you overcome kpop additional

[@Kavitha2324]

Same thoughts😢

[@Kavitha2324]

@@luv.beckette thanks buddy

[@ela01921]

This is somewhat really accurate.

[@ThePeacePlant]

I'll tell you the truth. You don't need friends or have a lot of money to be a worthy human being.

[@lilyomein]

the kpop industry is probably the most toxic and demanding entertainment industry out there. and the fact they mass produce idols and can force all these children to sign these slave contracts is so depressing. also the fans... obsessive stalker fans are so common it's scary. not to mention how brutal and disgusting the fandom can be. multiple times fans have defended literal sex offenders or bashed a fem idol for her looks to the point of breaking is why I started consuming less kpop over the years. (which is sad bc ive been a fan for 10+ years)

[@JuliaShalomJordan]

Yes

[@theuscivicsnerd7070]

I'd agree although I can't think of a single entertainment industry that isn't toxic. Even video game developers are now more vocal about how toxic their work environment is.

[@scarlett9750]

@@theuscivicsnerd7070 this world system def needs to change

[@theuscivicsnerd7070]

@@scarlett9750 Agreed. I think more education and more unionization, artist owned institutions can alleviate some of this.

[@JustMe-12345]

Like a comment above already said.... it is bad, but not better or worse than most other entertainment industries. Some parts are better/worse, but sadly there is none that is "good"

[@jo7433]

Climate change hypocrisy is another topic that seems very interesting to me when it comes to K-pop, especially after watching Blackpink (no hate, I love them) with UNICEF and other idols preaching about how we should care about the world when their whole career involves around consumerism and luxury brands collaborations like... Edit: Just to clarify, this is comment is mostly towards the companies, I know the artists have no say in the decisions they make

[@imethd90]

lol company controll them

[@lunar686]

I think virtue signalling is pretty stock-standard in the entertainment industry no matter where on the globe it is.

[@abbyc9924]

The worst case was Dreamcatcher releasing Maison, a song about climate change, then their company immediately releasing an NFT collection, which are very harmful to the environment…It’s like they didn’t even try to pretend to care

[@sarabeatriz5569]

@@abbyc9924 wait they did release NFTs? Wtf that's so disappointing

[@abbyc9924]

@@sarabeatriz5569 Oh at least I thought they did. Did the company end up changing their minds after the backlash?

[@konata-umaru5769]

Zoe Education should be her new username bc she only educates and show us real new no fake News and thats what every KZbin needs!

[@iiitsnaomiii]

she should have a class 😂

[@justcrisss]

Miss Zoe

[@Sweet_Like_A_Jack_Rose]

Fr! I was like awakened in so many things since I started following her 😂. Most of her topics is such mind openers

[@T_Cup]

Fr, I'd take Zoe-Ed if it was an online class

[@Kitty-JuneOhSixJanTwentyFour]

Only if you do not have self control, common logic, self respect and in summary a functioning brain. It is possibly destroying its idols brains, not mine. I just love the colorful stages, mostly clean lyrics and music. Can't care less about its culture. If you ever start to slide into its toxic culture, slap yourself really hard a few times and come back to your senses.

[@whitneyogbonna]

THIS RIGHT HERE👏🏾👏🏾

[@mutelarsorhougbe4606]

But the fact it is destroying THEIR brains and we watch and pretend it’s okay is Infact, the slow descent of our own brains regarding immoral and ABnormal things as ‘normal.’

[@sarahb8073]

Considering at the height of my disordered eating (where I was truly in bad shape health-wise), I was 10lbs over a "kpop target weight" for my height, I'm pretty sure getting to that point would have actually killed me 😳 This really feels like the new Victoria's Angels

[@em-jd4do]

good point. but it's worse, because it's not 1 yearly runway, it's year-round display.

[@sarahb8073]

@@em-jd4do it's true. But you could always rely on Victoria Beckham to be running around screaming her measurements from the rooftops. And if that failed, Tyra was off calling some poor contestant on ANTM "a whale" (that last example was the actual catalyst of my disorder eating because I was the same weight as that girl and shorter)

[@liyenong2017]

If you ever seen an East Asian female model standing next to a white model in a shoot you can literally see the difference in bone structure, even at the same height the East Asian model looks way skinner have thinner bones compared to the white female model. It's crazy but there are some girls who are naturally very skinny and struggle to put on weight, the target weight is still livable but just not healthy ( further health issues may arise)

[@devanshyadav2516]

Dude, even by that formula I am 2 kgs underweight and yeah, I am a guy who is everyone's crush in my school. But I am trying to get healthier

[@Gabby-kb9vv]

Very similar case for me :( and I was also barely getting by

[@shestargirl8479]

"You don't have eurocentric features as an Asian!?" That said it all Zoe!

[@hibeautym]

"kpop is destroying your brain" 100% true.

[@ramiiibm]

No

[@ramlam6481]

Yya i also think so 😂

[@user-gjjjndi]

Yes this is true

[@user-gjjjndi]

You can't even try to make your future while you u just use your phone watching kdrama and k-pop and pass you time but dude let me know you you will stop not time will stop let me know u guys is this really k-pop idol always there for you in future too you just can't imagine how your parents hard work for u but can u even feel this fan moments for ur parents too this is soo embarrassed dude tem me know u these k-pop idols do this all mess for becouse they make money they do what they make us fool and attract us to them but what we can for our future watching k-pop funny video k-pop handsome boy oppa etc .... Blaah blaah blaah sorry if u feel that I say something wrong but please try to understand and best of luck for ur future... Remember jis din ye bhoot utrega na kpop wala uss din sayad tum relize v krne k liye kaafi der ho chuke hoge aasuu nii rukenge aankhoo se .

[@Minimoaaaa]

@@user-gjjjndi that made hardly any sense but ok bro

[@katinaina2066]

one thing i don't understand in kpop , they don't let idols eat well and force them to go on strict diets and expect them to perform well at the same time , i mean u serious????

[@JetmiraSpaho]

To call others " idols " is the first wrong step. You can't worship humans and pretend they to be perfect.!. They shouldn't call and be opsesed with them.

[@nadashamz]

the funny thing about this is that it's not just kpop, it's the korean society and standards.

[@uglymolecule]

And Chinese and Japan. Asian beauty standard itself

[@jj.104]

Is that wrong? Even Koreans don't understand the standards of Western beauty.

[@jj.104]

Big hips look fat, and when you tan your skin, your skin ages quickly and you get freckles.

[@December932]

Your pfp😭

[@urhypeboy]

Mf be shamelessly racist. Touch grass.

[@MBlto]

An issue that is becoming more and more concerning is companies debuting literal children. I know it happened in the past too, but it's being normalized too much these days and i hate how nobody is battling an eye. Hybe is promoting this behaviour the most with newjeans; i don't care if their music is popular, if they have a more "childish" concept etc. they are KIDS, they should be in school and not doing fanmeetings with gross adults, plus the woman managing them has pedophilia allegations but nobody says a thing bc hybe is the good company who debuted bts and changed kpop right? wake up. they are as bad as the other companies, if anything they are worse! And notice how fans are picking and dropping groups after a comeback or two, always looking for the newest, youngest, most fresh groups. Like in the past two years alone the general public went from itzy, to stayc, to aespa, to ive and now to newjeans. As soon as the viral hit song wave ends they start to get haters and less interest for their comebacks, and this mostly happens to female groups. idk. it's so fucked up

[@ongakira]

boa debuted when she was 13. where were you ?

[@grane1850]

@@ongakira literally the comment said "it happened past too but now it normalised". In the past, one or two members of a group debut as underage. Now, with the fact that, kpop is bigger, they debut more groups, the competition is worse etc so yes this age issue is getting more and more problem.

[@ongakira]

@@grane1850 it was normalized long ago. let people pursue their dreams for gods sake😭

[@grane1850]

@@ongakira encouraging them to pursue their dreams and using kids for adult entertainment is two different things. There are many actors, idols talk about how being a part of the industry at an early age affect them badly. Many of young actresses, idols get abused by their parents or the CEOs. If they can provide underage idols a safe environment, yea go on and encourage them but it is so obvious that the industry is cruel and they will be exploited.

[@ongakira]

@@grane1850 the korean school system is actually so much worse than you think it is, i understand why so many people are becoming idols. like would you rather them become slaves and go to school for 14 hours or just sing and dance and pursue their dreams

[@The_grand_potato]

I got into kpop when I was only 13 and it honestly shaped the way I would view myself even up to this day, I was never pretty enough, my skin wasn't smooth and clear, and I was convinced that I was too fat even though I was just normal for my build. I stopped eating, I started exercising more, and long story short, it landed me in the hospital. Mentally, I haven't recovered and I still get into the habit of comparing myself to these super thin performers. But now, I have learned that everything in life needs balance, too much of something can be dangerous and now I only view kpop content when I know I'm in the right space mentally. I go on "kpop cleanses" where I take a break from everything kpop related and when I feel that I'm safe to go back again, I do.

[@ruum9]

Me too! At some point kpop was my only interest and it just felt so unhealthy like I was disconnecting from life and indulging in this weird fantasy of perfect idols. I decided to stop for a while and go back to my older interests that connect me more to the world and to people. It felt so much better and now I prefer to enjoy kpop less. I have my faves of course and I've decided to only tune in for when they release something new, but other than that I enjoy the freshness of going back to my other interests between kpop every once in a while. It gives me a feeling of balance.

[@monotzukokuureshii]

LOL THATS UP TO THE PERSON ITSELF I GOT INTO KPOP WHEN I WAS ONLY 8 YEAR OLD AND KPOP MAKE ME BECOME OPEN MINDED AND I HAVE SO MANY MEMORIES OF MY CHILDHOOD WITH SO MANY KPOP GROUPS AND SO MANY KPOP SONGS BUT 4TH GEN IS THE WORST ERA FOR SURE PEOPLE ONLY POINT OUT PROBLEMS WITH ASIAN BUT WHEN ITS COME TO THEM I DONT SEE ANYTHING CHANGING

[@The_grand_potato]

@@monotzukokuureshii yeah, and I was already insecure so it didn’t help. I’m doing better now, and 4th gen has been really frustrating.

[@monotzukokuureshii]

@@The_grand_potato i gonna be really honest 4th especially inter fan and k fan are praising and defending kpop idols like wonyoung （she used to be my bias in izone but wonyoung now is not the wonyoung i know for sure ）for being pretty and good center when center has to be strong at everything especially dancing one of the perfect center i know are taeyong and jaejoong . fans are the one that making industry worse. as an kpoper for 17 years 1st and 2gen were full of talented people just look at dbsk/snsd/big bang etc... start from 3gen kpop （expect for nct,bts, b.a.p and mostly goupsthat are known for being so talented） is becoming all about beauty and fan are making it worse by praising idol who are only about pretty lol and they making it harder for kpop idols since the amount of kpop idols get for every mistake even they cant give second chance to idols for what they did in the past when they were young also older idols have to sing live even with hard dance moves dbsk/tvxq is the best example they can match or beat so called best western singers and newer fans lowering the standard of talent and adding more pressure to beauty standard by only supporting idols who are pretty lol

[@nightappleispoisonapple1775]

the first part sounds dangerously familiar oh gosh but it's like im now finally understanding how toxic the industry is and how detrimental it can be to young minds. im glad that you're now okay and taking care of yourself :( and honestly same recently ive taken a break from watching kpop it's like the industry enforces the idea that if you're not "perfect" you're nothing and it sucks honestly :((

[@flyhigh3489]

Kpop influence is so high ij India. They will literally break their friendships and abandon parents for korea and koreans

[@ericsohn5084]

No way lol

[@user-kj8tt2ob7i]

Colorism, ageism, and favoritism are also Kpop topics that should get more attention. Also the fact that idols get “dating scandals” when even looking at another idol is out of control. Many people compare 4th gen idol interactions with 3rd gen interactions. The 4th gen idols can’t even be friends with another person (god forbid the opposite gender!), and on award shows, they have to be as stoic as possible to avoid any scandal.

[@MissSpiderRider]

This ideal weight formula would leave me at 37kg... wtf? I'm not a 10 yo child?!

[@gigis4221]

Mine is 32 I think my 9yr old cousin weighs that (im 20). Yk it’s bad when I thought i miscalculated cuz the number was so low😭

[@MissSpiderRider]

@@gigis4221 I also calculated it twice haha These numbers are so ridiculously low, that I thought I misunderstood something. It's really messed up

[@barkforcottontail]

My "ideal" weight should be at 38kg. Actually, one year ago I had it and even go to the doctor, but she said I'm fine, I don't need to gain any more kilograms. =) I was 26 btw.

[@MissSpiderRider]

@@barkforcottontail Wow really? Did the doctor do a blood test with you to make sure you were actually fine? I also can't imagine your period being regular at such a low weight.... 🙈

[@romycullen17]

I had no period at 37kg when I was super ill. I weigh 42 now and I'm in the healthy range for my build. 37 is too low.

[@Anastasiabruno]

As a 6 years kpop fan this video needs to be watched especially by new kpop fans Glad I’ve always followed kpop in a healthy and mature way

[@samanthakim5035]

Been a fan for 4 years now and same, super thankful for that.

[@abiisaqib7816]

been a fan of some groups for 8 yrs now and I'm glad that I know what's right and what's wrong!

[@stopppppppppp33]

me too

[@Mysty1919]

Umm, can you tell me what do you mean by "healthy & mature " way when you wrote that ?

[@blessedsoul14]

Omg i thought you were 6 years old😭

[@alexandradonnelly6904]

I used to follow a blackpink fan page on instagram. Then they started posting side by side comparisons with a circle around the stomach or thighs of the celebs. That was terrifying.

[@Hyper-milkshake]

Stop lying

[@misanancymenja]

I am personally really into kpop and I just got in recently, what amazed me was actually how fast I got addicted and how fast it changed my perception of things. The scariest part is that I'm having now a very hard time connecting to reality and started to feel like a total failure, I mean I've always been confident and satisfied with what I was but now I can't even watch myself in the mirror without wanting to cry from disappointment. Just a very friendly warning, before going deep into the thing, never forget that perfection is an illusion and don't blame yourself for being human.

[@UniChimma]

It catches your attention very quickly, I am not a huge fan of K-pop, I rarely listen to it, I was not interested on it, I used to like other types of music were the body image wasn’t the most important thing, but It was because of my sister I started being interested on K-pop things, and now I am obsessed even if I don’t listen to it

[@sofycolt27]

I think it's because they have clever marketing strategy. They make those kpop idols look like boyfriend/girlfriend materials ,but than people start to compare themselves with their standards. On side note-is it your photo? You are very pretty! Please don't forget it and don't compare yourself to noone, because you are unique

[@theaudjob3267]

I was really into early Kpop and seeing the monster it is now is kinda scary

[@whocares897]

Same! I started listening in 2007 and half of those groups don’t even exist anymore lol I thought it was a bit toxic even back then! To see what it’s become is scary. These people have truly just becomes products

[@thal08emd97]

exactly! i stopped keeping up with kpop when jonghyun died. that was the sign for me that the industry had become (or always has been) unsustainable and unethical.

[@logw.7190]

it was already a monster back then it was even worse but most ppl are only seeing it more now

[@theaudjob3267]

@@logw.7190 oh it absolutely was a monster but it’s also gotten a lot worse

[@Xituyu]

@@thal08emd97same jonghyun, sulli, hara…I have friends who only got into K-pop 4-5 years ago and I try to explain why I don’t enjoy it like that anymore and they don’t understand ??? Do we have to wait until our faves die to see it for what it is…

[@svenskaela1234561]

I’m 25 and I have never in my life struggled with my body image I simply didn’t care until I got into Kpop at 20 and developed adult acne. Years of actuate and other treatments did nothing and the more I became consumed with the Korean beauty standards. I started hating my body for being curvy my skin for not being perfect my hair for being frizzy my face for not being perfectly symmetrical. Then I took a step back I stopped following every female Kpop group and only listening to the music I still only keep up with NCT and it has helped. Seeing these Wonyoung Stan’s do extreme diets and make TikTok’s about how they plan to improve themselves in harmful ways makes me worry about the future generation and I really hope they realize they don’t need to look like her to be beautiful.

[@Peaceful_Heaven.]

commented on one of the youtube shorts which compared k-beauty &styles from different countries in which I stated that I never saw any k-drma or idols without pale/fair skin which definitely restricts diversity and pure talents too which don't come in limelight due to such toxicity.Lots of support gained from different PPL and response but in end my comment is reported and removed 😂.Social media is helping to spread these toxic topics so we have to use social media as a defensive tool too.

[@mariahcolby3559]

i never felt like that due to k-pop but after i moved to korea, i definitely feel it from just living in korean society. especially when i go to buy clothes and they don’t always fit because i’m not in the very small range of “korean size”. in the US i rarely compared myself to others. it has recently helped a bit with encouraging me to be more healthy, but i wish it wasn’t this high pressure society that had encouraged that.

[@nicolemora4393]

Thats quite upsetting that you compared yourself to female idols when you know they have worked hard their entire lives or where simply born that way. So your telling me you stopped listening to girl groups cus they make you feel bad? thats kinda stupid hopefully you can find self love

[@SamuraiSx19]

Healthy life will lead to good skin and healthy body - nothing more and nothing less. K-pop doesn't have anything to do with it and your obsession. The problem is how you youngsters can't maintain REAL life and DIGITAL life - not knowing how to separate it. Bringing some exampke is ok, but to blindly follow it and neglect own organism - it;s absurd. Also can't see how k-pop as music style should inflict such severe outcomes - having proper body is ok, being fat isn't ok nor healthy and that is not wrong. Another case is that ARTISTS should preserve proper image for their artistic means (thou nowadays in k-pop really do wrong with extremes all due commercialization and making stereotypes under western influence). If you say that k-pop as music is guilty for your own missunderstanding of that entertainment act, so what should we say about other forms of art? So if BALLERINA is slim, and has many diets so she can actually dance properly on the stage - should you do as ballerina? No of course, you watch ballet, enjoy performance and that ballerina but people before never ''wanted'' to be ballerina in body. So what went wrong nowadays with just slightly different form of art? What went wrong with perception of it in the eyes of public? We should ask ourselves. K-pop is just a music, form of artistic speach and entertainment, it can set some models and be example but NOT RULE. And obsessed fans are forgetting nowadays that, especially with wrong use of social media. So don't blame k-pop, it has beautiful music. Just think with your head, separate reality from performance and that's all.

[@abe1323]

​@@nicolemora4393Awww, are you upset?

[@DestineeSpivey]

This was an amazing video. I am thankful that since I have been a fan of kpop it has not affected me in a negative way it has actually helped me by boosting my confidence I have never wanted to look like them or felt like I should lose weight or anything.

[@idilicosmica]

We really needed you to talk about this topic. Kpop is a whole and huge (psycho)logical manipulation and people (including me) need to wake up and see things how they really are. And we need to start to actually living our lives in an actual healthy, free and natural way. Thank you, Zoe.

[@ongakira]

maybe that’s your fault ? manipulation ? who is manipulating you ? like maybe y’all are crazy not me tho !

[@ongakira]

@@randomhuman6116 that’s literally your fault😭 bts told you to fail your exam ? you are just mentally unstable at that time and bts was a coping mechanism

[@felmargego2534]

​@@ongakira what the fuck

[@damatically]

When hwasa was asked by a fan what's her diet she just said "EAT" 😭 i love that. Edit: ya'll....dont fight in the replies pls omf 💀 Here's the piece of my mind abt them losing weight tho. They can gain and lose it and gain it again if they want, its their body. Also if there is a reason why hwasa and the others would lose weight it can their own choice. Also they are working??? We just dont see it. They have improved so much in their choreography in their recent releases (you can say its not a groundbreaking improvement but still its a work) so that might be another factor to consider. I mean other than the diets in kpop industry the rehersals for idol groups in majority are very difficult for your average person. Ofc thats just what i think if they do suffer in their body image i wouldnt still blame them. Its just so wrong to condemned them when they are the ones that are obviously a victim.

[@lifesucks-xb2ip]

She's a legend!

[@heedwiig]

Well that was a lot of time ago, now Hwasa seems to have lost lots of weight

[@Brittney336]

Legend that doesn't care about K-beauty standards cus she is her own standard! 💅👑

[@hafshss]

@@heedwiig still never stick thin as these other idols who feel like thinning is the only way ... MAMAMOO members hv very good maintained bodies but none of them look skeletons n they look natural healthy human beings

[@heedwiig]

@@hafshss I don't agree with you, expect Moon, the other three don't have a good relationship with food and their bodies, not even Hwasa, and I might add they in fact are extremely thin anyway especially if you compare them to actual normal weight people (comparing them to other kpop idols it's pointless)

[@Evenstar9092]

I would actually say that finding kpop has been mostly beneficial to me. I learned to push past my fears to achieve things I wanted. It reawakened my love for dancing. And it showed me that success, beauty etc, are the the products of discipline and hard work. Those are lessons I sorely needed.

[@dance4ever940]

seriously I totally agree. I'd be so bored w/out the shows and watching choreo/RPD's. I always loved dance so kpop choreos are the best!

[@ftuyujdgu]

Agreed

[@prunejuice22]

EXACTLY! Kpop actually made me more confident about myself

[@pie_koo8382]

Totally agreed. I can write an entire paragraph how kpop specially BTS helped me and made me metanlly strong and confident. I saw ppl being more empathetic, understanding and confident by following them. Everything has pros and cons. You just have to know what is needed to be avoided, avoid the cons. This is for all things like Netflix drama, anime, music, screen time, any sports, any culture, anything. Just take the good thing and leave the rest and stop blaming.

[@hysh9483]

This! We need more people like you who ACTUALLY took the positive sides of kpop for your own self improvement!

[@myra3718]

Honestly, kpop opened me up to an entirely different culture and has helped me in a lot of ways. Being an immigrant and growing up in America I only knew American culture without even realizing it. Kpop brought me back to my roots and actually made me feel comfortable with my skin. Because in America everyone wants to be tan and in Korea everyone wants to be pale. It was a culture shock to me and made me feel better about my look. At the same time I delved more into Asian history and learned a lot about my home country and others. While there are many toxic things about the kpop industry I don't let that get to me. And I hope younger kpop stans can differentiate between industry and reality.

[@katec.4361]

I’m Korean American, too. To be honest, I feel the popularization of Korean culture helped make existing in the States a bit easier. I’m older so growing up, I faced a lot of racism on a near daily basis. 😐 It wasn’t until k-pop, Korean food, and k-beauty became more popular that people would ask if I’m Korean and make positive comments towards me. I was also exposed to the Korean style of makeup which also helped me better accept the facial features that I used to be harassed for. To a certain extent, I always accepted I was different and didn’t try to copy my friends’ American style but it wasn’t until this time that I wasn’t judged so harshly for not fully assimilating. That’s my experience. I could go on and on about the negatives but that’s what Zoe’s video essays on this topic are covering.

[@_CL]

"Kpop brought me back to my roots and actually made me feel comfortable with my skin. Because in America everyone wants to be tan and in Korea everyone wants to be pale." Wait but both sides are wrong? The whitewashing in K-pop and the tanning in America both go against "what is natural." Burning your skin to achieve a certain look or using whitening creams are both bad. Maybe I misunderstood your comment?

[@myra3718]

@@_CL Yes. I understand that both are bad. I just didn't want to make a too lengthy reply explaining my feelings. If I were to explain, I would have said that these contrasting beauty standards made me rethink how I viewed my own skin compared to how the culture I was raised in made me see myself. I don't strive to achieve either standard but rather take care of my skin and make it as healthy as it can be. It's the culture shock that made me think this way, without it I would probably still be trying to get tan in the summer without thinking about my skin health. Hope this clears things up.

[@_CL]

@@myra3718 Yeah your first message made it seem like you related more to the whitewashing side of SK media, thank you it makes more sense now for sure. I'm glad you're valuing your health! I think that there's been a (very slow) shift in America where you see people talk more about sunscreen and how it's important. A lot of people still use tanning oils, though. I do think SK media plays a positive role when it comes to that for younger people here (I saw a lot of people talk about good sunscreens to buy from SK).

[@devashrijoshi9079]

Living in Asia, it's rare not to find someone who wants fair skin since whitewashing is so common here to fit into the Eurocentric beauty standards, also that being of south asian descent, our whole history revolves around the hate for dark skin, to the point our own people can be colorist so it's really hard to be comfortable in your own skin. Kinda understand your comment but our circumstances are so different (almost 180°) it's a bit intriguing haha

[@ClayMastah344]

This was a brave video to make because most K-pop fans are aware of these things but will NOT face it head on. They SERIOUSLY buy into the world of illusions. I have see fans defend people with thigh tendon and bone showing through the skin.

[@SUGAs_Shadow85]

😱

[@WhitneyDahlin]

‼️Just so everyone knows average does not mean most common. And it irritates me and it's a common confusion and that's why everyone thinks Americans are fat. If there is a significant minority at one extreme it's going to sway the average. Median would be is the most common weight and common size worn. The median is a size 10 in the United States. But if you go by averages it's a size 14 or 15. That's a huge difference and it's causing a lot of problems because people get so confused. Average does not mean most common. Average it's basically useless when you're talking about what size weight and height MOST people are. You have to go buy median. Just completely ignore averages because they're completely useless when you have such a large sample size and a significant minority way above the most common size. Because having just one person wear a size 25 drags the average up by A LOT. It's completely inaccurate and average is do not give you a good picture of what most women look like.

[@gabe_ed]

The sad thing is that this is not going to change. When an idol takes their life or something like that happen, the industry says they care, but they don't. K-pop fans say they care but they don't. They don't do nothing about. I've heard so many times "things have to change! we demand better treatment for the artists!" followed up by the same behavior. I used to be part of the K-pop community but... it's so tiring, so superficial. And that's because of the idol system, it's flawed from its inception. It was never about the music, it's all about image. If you expect things to change, you gotta stop consuming what these awful corporations put out. Even if it's nice to look at and sounds "good". Maybe give more attention to indie artists. Though I'm sure they don't have it a lot better, every "indie" south korean musician I know is signed to big corporations anyway. To be honest, I have little faith. This situation really sucks and it has been like this since... Ever. The industry will keep saying they care, the bands will keep saying they care and the fans will keep saying they care... but no one really does, they just say it and move on to the next new group of "cute and cool girls/boys".

[@michelleh.5225]

The first South Korean artist I knew was indie (Peggy Gou), but no one I've talked to has ever heard of her or wanted to give her music a chance. People don't care. They are shallow and stupid.

[@Julia-lk8jn]

I would say the industry isn't flawed at all. It's running perfectly and doing exactly what it's meant to be: make tons of money for those in the industry by keeping fans involved / addicted enough to keep buying. Some of the idols day? Well fine, that's a head-line and clicks and drama. And there's thousands out there willing to do anything to take their place. I would say if you want independent artists, look on patron and on youtube. I've found some really great stuff there, and I wasn't even actively looking.

[@runera]

Exactly why I’m not into Kpop anymore. Really messed with my insecurities and I’m better off without it. The music has nothing to do with it ofc but with the music comes the idols and when I start comparing myself to them and start wanting to be like them the whole industry including the music just doesn’t feel right anymore.

[@kylvesm]

i feel u

[@Her844]

Same girl

[@jyotika5579]

I take kpop as just a way of entertainment.

[@AshishKhetwal]

the songs are cringe af tbh. I don't think one can even get entertained listening to some sh!t like that

[@AUGHHHHHBBG]

@@AshishKhetwalit depends on what songs we talking about. Like a lot of the popular songs are mid but get more views then songs that are really good. I realized the groups with the best vocals and really good talent end up being in the shadows of groups like BTS and blackpink and don’t get attention

[@3h33_xy]

I mean yeah cuz it is

[@Veralidainai]

I'd like to go one step further and argue that it's kpop fan culture that has rotted the brains of so many. Kpop in itself could have been so enjoyable if it wasn't for the rise of the extreme fan culture and stanning that we see nowadays.

[@idongesitx1873]

Kpop thrives on such fans

[@Roro-ej7ke]

Definitely. It's limiting the idols not only in terms of standards but they can't even interact without fans crying and causing stampedes

[@daydream7761]

I mean I agree but in my opinion the industry also plays a part. Especially with working hours or beauty standarts for idols they create environments that can be very dangerous. For idols and also fans because you will start comparing yourself to idols and how pretty they are, how flat their stomach is, how cute their smile looks even after a full day of work and a 10h flight. Idols acting as unattainable, perfect angels that still are marketed towards fan in a very personal matter (not being allowed to date or have strong opinions, only be there for fans, filming large aspects of your life, etc) to gain more money because fans will be more willing to spend if they feel a personal connection to their star. That plays in my opinion also a part in developing toxic fan cultures to begin with

[@em-jd4do]

how can you blame that on the fans, especially when so many of them are teenagers (13 to 19 yrs old) when you have companies that are predatory like this. how can you blame them. all children look for someone, a real person or a character, to look up to. kpop companies have provided "real people" to look up to, that are respectable, intelligent, talented, and beautiful, that are "perfect" and you blame children and teenagers for falling prey to it ? the companies are predatory.

[@nanao7412]

@@em-jd4do You are so right about this. They always put blame on kpop fans when this process happens all the time. The korean Industry is heavily inspired by the marketing of the big music's industry from the west. Boyband was/is a thing in the West and it was created there. Korean music industry just take their inspiration from those big company and create their own model that is to say Kpop. They understand the processing and did the same with their own twist. The problem here is not the young audience but the adult who are leading this industry because they are profiting/making money from the idealization coming from this young audience. They even encourage it by forbidding Kpop Idols for dating because the leaders of those kpop industry understand that if their idols are dating then it would break the idealization and fantasy of their audience so for not loosing money they forbid Idols to date. Sadly, Kpop idols are seen as products for young audience. The dehumanization comes first from those leaders who see and encourage kpop idols as an idealization/a product for young people. People who blame fans as the OP point their fingers the wrong way. It's only a part of the problem. The heart of the problem here is not the fans who are taken advantage of... but adult who takes advantage of their idealization/fantasm to make money from it. Truly I am fed up of seeing people blaming the fans when they are, in a way, victim of predatory companies.

[@scottietrademark]

It's kinda crazy that the body "trends" changed so quickly in kpop. It wasn't that long ago that "honey thighs" and toned bodies were huge in the industry. It's very scary how this stuff changes and how people are affected by it. I feel like it helped that I was 24 when I got into kpop. I'm not as (on average) easily influenced as the targeted audience. I try not to pay mind to the conversation about bodies in the industry. I also think it's weird how young idols are becoming?? It's to the point that I (try) to avoid groups with really young members. It just feels wrong that they're working more than I am, at 30.

[@mistress.villaina7591]

that's true. young idols put in an insane amount of time and effort for fame, not fully understanding their own identity and powerless to fight abuses in their working conditions at the very least. even worse is that their company makes profits many more times than the idols' incomes. seems like we can't seriously encourage kids to follow their dreams without feeding them to the crazy economic machine. wouldn't want to be them.

[@awiisl]

There’s legit a 13 year old idol. It’s crazy.

[@IndianRailways_ITS]

The title is telling the truth🗿

[@geolex4560]

i was a kpop fan around the 2010s era and man, it really was a huge player in the beginning of my eating disorder and the ridiculous beauty standards i have towards myself, even as a non-korean, non-asian person. even though i stopped listening to kpop so many years ago (mostly because i felt like i was supporting an immoral industry as a lot of things started coming to light like forced plastic surgeries, bullying scandals, slave contracts/company abuse, and it literally did feel like it was poisoning my brain), i still struggle. it's a sad reality where a lot of the idols are also struggling themselves

[@Omar_ToxicBanana1701]

Not that Hollywood is any different...the Korean ways are the American ways ,bro...

[@DieWundeBliebt]

I was also a kpop fan around that time and left bc of the exact same reasons you listed. ngl, bts brought me back these last two years and I will say, the same issues with the industry still exist. Everything just feels so disingenuous.

[@quenchtv5436]

Same i like kpop when i was 17 that's where kpop industry is getting big in my country now im 33 i realize i always fan of western music and local music as well as i get older ive seen the darkest side of korean entertainment industry and the korean society thats why i stopped listening and watching related to korean entertainment

[@tg-dp8hr]

I'm not going to lie but kpop did have an effect on teenage me and is one of the reasons why I struggle with body image now.

[@crxybaby1730]

I hope you overcome it and become more positive of yourself 💕

[@tg-dp8hr]

@@crxybaby1730 thank you sm 💓 that's very sweet of you!!! I'm slow but surely working on it!!

[@kimkardashianlostearring5277]

True I’m also slowly starting to struggle with it but I’m trying to not focus on my body image

[@jessica3218]

I don’t even care about my body. I just enjoy their music and have fun.

[@devashrijoshi9079]

Now I feel like it was good that I discovered Kpop quite late (at around 17-18, when i was mature enough, also that I have already heard of nasty rumors surrounding around Kpop)

[@khrystyna2706]

I'm far from Korean culture and Kpop (I'm Ukrainian), but I started listening to various genres made by Korean artists, including Kpop. Not long ago I started noticing unhealthy thoughts in my mind, like "if they lost so much weight, why can't I?", or perceiving idols as beauty standards. At that point I decided to stop watching variety shows, or in general to stop following idols' lives, how they train and eat. Now I'm only listening to some of the music on Spotify and dance to it, nothing more. And I feel much better!

[@moonlight_ju]

Чесно кажучи, рано чи пізно к-поп культура дійсно починає впливати на тебе... Особливо ЇХ стандарти краси, які неможливо досягти. Інколи, навіть, забуваєш, що ти представник іншої нації та раси, і деякі особливості зовнішності є абсолютно інакшими та їх не можна порівнювати з виглядом к-поп айдолів. Дуже радію, що в один момент вирішила вилізти з цього "болота". Дійсно, просто слухати музику - найкраще рішення😌

[@tobeflyhigh]

Це вже наче хвороба якась...а дійсно, потім починаєш порівнювати себе непідсвідомо з айдолами. Я ніколи не цікавилась цією культурою, але іноді ловила себе на думці на кшталт "вона така струнка, аж заздрісно". Просто треба асбтрагуватися від к-поп та соц.мереж вцілому...

[@bubblethe]

you have made it to the safe place

[@oleksandrarom635]

Аналогічно, я лише недавно почала усвідомлювати корінь одного комплексу, який от лише недавно зародився... І було дуже дивно це зрозуміти, адже, здавалося, що шкідливого може бути в тому, що ти слідкуєш за життям відомої групи, яка тебе захоплює? Досі слухаю їхню музику, але стараюся менше "жити" їхнім життям, та звертати більше уваги на реальність

[@noneedtoknow2731]

Bro you safe?

[@rackyshak]

I’m surprised we don’t hear much about any heart attacks or cardiovascular issues amongst idols, though I’m sure they exist and are just hushed.

[@Jenncya]

Your honesty on the K-pop industry (and K-beauty) is refreshing. I have tried to tell friends that the K-pop stars they love have been trained, starved, and gone under the knife to be who they are today. It’s really sad that no (other than you) has brought up the toll this has on mental health. Please make a part 2!

[@seabreeze667]

Show them the Korean artists who commit suicide or being commit suicide

[@abiisaqib7816]

ok and??we are still allowed to like them and their music...some of them always talk about the strict routine and how fans shouldn't do that at all!

[@seabreeze667]

@@abiisaqib7816 ok and?? This is toxic support. By liking and supporting K-artists, no matter wat, will just further encourage and provide resources to toxic cultivation even torture for K-stars. One Hollyweird is toxic and evil enuff.

[@abiisaqib7816]

@@seabreeze667 this isn't toxic support..what are you on??the idols work hard and should be supported...it's the same everywhere...idols didn't do anything wrong...

[@seabreeze667]

@@abiisaqib7816 the idols project and promote the image of "this is all hard work" when, in fact, many succumbed to rape, torture and inhumane treatments. They snap, sing and dance sexually and provocatively coz sex sells. They live up to the "beauty standards" that influenced(or inspired) youngsters to follow. So many youngsters don't let themselves grow naturally, and get plastic surgery asap. Pop idols are toxic and caused depression than inspiration. Do u want me to go into so many female K-celebrities looked so similar??

[@thefuckisgoingon]

The kpop industry has always seemed so dystopian to me

[@makesmewannadie647]

Exactly. Your username suits it rewlly well like the fuck is going on in the kpop industry

[@tokyo6017]

Literally lol Work hard asf from like age 9 to get accepted to a label, work day and night , pass out during rehearsals, get full eating disorders, abstain from relationships for the most part, having ur fans infantilise u and the fans drgaf about the conditions they’re in

[@cantsay2205]

Exactly. Hollyweird may be bad, but the J-pop and K-pop industries are SO MUCH WORSE. I've never heard of an American singer having to SHAVE HER HEAD AND APOLOGIZE ON CAMERA for having the audacity to have a boyfriend.

[@tokyo6017]

@@cantsay2205 like that’s so humiliating ??

[@harithdanial141]

Their whole country is like that lmao. Look Samsung dominant

[@mewmew6158]

I'm so glad you brought up the dehumanization of idols! People don't usually mention it outside of them being products for their company to sell.

[@ariennalamb4806]

Sometimes I feel guilty for liking kpop. I'm well aware of all the bad things that go on behind closed doors yet I still really enjoy it. I guess I mostly follow for the music and the fun personalities of the idols, but sometimes i feel like none of that is real either. I don't know. I feel stuck when it comes to liking kpop because I know its not all good, but I can't help how happy it makes me from time to time.

[@UniChimma]

I also think that not even their personalities are real, what if they are forced to be cute on camera but they are totally different outside?

[@ennauak]

Same here. I don't even own any kpop merch or album. It feels like a fun distraction but sometimes I realize how much time I'm wasting on it lol

[@erinnmackie3507]

Don't feel bad! Some of the music is fun and makes you wanna dance! Just try not to compare yourself to these idols (I know it's hard. 32 and I'm still not ok with my appearance). Keep a level head and appreciate the music. Even my ancient, millennial butt likes kpop.

[@xiao364]

There's no reason to feel guilt for liking kpop. It is supposed to be entertainment you enjoy, even if there are bad things happening it's to none of your control and feeling guilt and stop enjoying the entertainment affects no one but your own happiness. if ur talking about the personalities of the idols, I mean that shit happens everywhere and not just kpop. reality shows anywhere are barely any truth, if u say some are legit, who says the same can't go for kpop? Kpop, if you solely focus on the music, idols (the good ones and I'm not hinting any specific idol that isn't good), and their shows, it's definitely a pleasant experience. why feel guilt for seeing someone/something else you cant control being a douchebag?

[@samanthakim5035]

@@xiao364 Well said.

[@Bgtan_466]

As a K-pop stan yes I never compared them with my life nor wished to look like other idols whatever if I want to be pretty as them, sing like them or dance like them but I have another disadvantages let's say a K-pop idol that you really love got married, dated, dead or anything that can happen to them that you'll dislike first of all you'll feel bad, you'll have depression and you won't feel happy anymore also if your idol is hurt you feel hurt too, if your idol is sad so you are sad too and if your idol is happy so you are you because even if you're not obsessed with your idol so this idol or this band become a part of your life and now they're a part of your family so they'll emotionally controls you even if it was in a good way as for example BTS and army has a really special relationship between a idol and their fans so they literally can make you easily can make you feel happy, sad, overwhelmed, positive, depressed, motivated or they can make you feel bad too and as an army when Bangtan members feel happy I feel happy, if they feel sad so I am sad, if they smile I smile, if they cry I cry too and tbh its not just about K-pop but the whole Korean culture.. I see that some people act like them, eat like them, wear like them, talk like them and literally live their life style (and those are Korea boos) those kind of people will literally do anything just to look like them but AS FOR ME I yes sometimes write my daily list in Korean to prove my writing skills, I try some of their food but tbh I am not a Korean food lover, I watch K-dramas and love them a lot, I stan BTS and treat them like my family (but not an obsessed army that'll die over them) and I learn Korean because I love their language and their culture so I wish everyone do the same KPOP is JUST a music and K-dramas are JUST some entertainments and Koreans are also humans they're not perfect they're just like you and Korea isn't the HEAVEN so I wish everyone understand that...

[@idolsairx6234]

I am happy that you are being super honest and finally started talking about this

[@vulnicura7839]

WE NEED THE PART 2. Ive been in love with KPOP since 2014 and even though I was aware of all the surgery and retouching, at some point you forget and all the MV's you watch make you believe that body/skin type is attainable when it isn't reality. I desperately need a part 2, thank you so much for this video.

[@esnecastroribeiro]

K-pop was one of the reasons I started dieting. I was a really big army and seeing the toned and lean bodies made me determined to lose weight. At a certain point in my extreme weight loss journey, I only ate one meal every 10 days, because I saw Jimin do it. I've almost lost my life about 3 times because of the severe bulimia I had developed. It took 3 years to recover, and in the meantime, I started to learn more about the darker side of kpop. I stopped listening to and consuming kpop, just because I no longer want to actively support the industry. I've been in a much better place mentally since I did this. Your video is really informative, and I hope it will help people realize that it's too beautiful to be true and has a really bad effect on us. Thank you for posting this!!!

[@estherrani9838]

Please don't put your life on risk, just for of some artist, they work they get money and fame.

[@WhitneyDahlin]

‼️Just so everyone knows average does not mean most common. And it irritates me and it's a common confusion and that's why everyone thinks Americans are fat. If there is a significant minority at one extreme it's going to sway the average. Median would be is the most common weight and common size worn. The median is a size 10 in the United States. But if you go by averages it's a size 14 or 15. That's a huge difference and it's causing a lot of problems because people get so confused. Average does not mean most common. Average it's basically useless when you're talking about what size weight and height MOST people are. You have to go buy median. Just completely ignore averages because they're completely useless when you have such a large sample size and a significant minority way above the most common size. Because having just one person wear a size 25 drags the average up by A LOT. It's completely inaccurate and average is do not give you a good picture of what most women look like.

[@makesmewannadie647]

Oh God thats so dangerous i hate how influental these kpop singers are

[@whyshoulditellyou1194]

jimin ain't doing that on purpose I think man was hated for his cute cheeks...he may wanted to shut the mouths of these toxic fans or haters Or entertainment is somehow asking him to do it so he may not wanted to to disappoint his fans. please don't copy and don't go on diets watching idols He's idol and he seems to be forced to fit in I can make certain assumption that he goes on diets because he feels like doing it or he feels satisfied after maintaining a good weight His BMI is also great. I still remember when he said "you still look pretty even if you gain weight" don't hate on him because he gave his best just for us

[@whyshoulditellyou1194]

@@Introvertedpoet what do you think I said? i said the same thing that don't copy the idols.....I know that no idols will ever ask their fans for going on diets. idk why some fans tries their best to copy their idol's life even when their lives are different and they have brains to think about it but still they don't. Our brain knows what is right to copy and what can be dangerous but still they keep on doing that sh!t.

[@Scilixx]

As an older fan (45; who's only been into Kpop music since about 2018, and the fandoms only more recently since 2023) I suppose I was lucky to have found it later. Had I found this in my high school years or late teens, I could definitely see how it would have affected me much more. Now, I enjoy the music, and support the artists that I enjoy, but thankfully never to an unhealthy, obsessive level. If anything, I wish I could protect the idols more. But, some of the good that has come out of my love for Kpop, it has made me want to learn more about Korea and Korean culture. I'm currently learning Korean so that I can better understand things I watch or read, and it will benefit me at work as well, as we have offices in Korea. And lastly, as I had some early childhood trauma, video games helped me make it through some of the hardest times in my life, but I have always had really bad anxiety, depression, and PTSD. For 30+ years I struggled, and even though medications could help, I still felt like a part of me was always hurting. But I began to feel happier, even like I was healing those deep scars, since I found groups like Ateez and Stray Kids. I know there are a lot of dark parts of Kpop, but as long as you keep yourself grounded and accept that reality, I think you can avoid getting sucked into the darker parts. Just my 2 cents.

[@worshipthecomedygodseoeunk4010]

I am adopted from korea. kpop made me learn about my heritage, dig deeper into my adoption, learn my birth language, got me out of my racial self hatred, gave me confidence in my physical features, helped me learn makeup that suits me, and was my comfort from social anxiety my entire adolescent life. It also became my only source of music which has been a love of my life since forever. One of the proudest moments was when i learned how to say the name on my birth certificate properly in Korean, all because memorizing kpop idols names became super easy. My white parents never taught me anything, and kept my culture from me because it felt like "betrayal". But if it wasnt for kpop and having that first taste of Korean culture, I would have never found myself the way I have today. If they only knew. Pretty much anything I know about Korea now is because kpop encouraged me to step deeper into the water rather than just dip my toes. I'm huge into Korean cooking, I work at a Korean language school, I studied in Korea, I watch Korean movies, and I plan to look for my birth parents. All because of kpop. All that being said, the industry is not the same as when I first fell in love at all. I am definitely not a fan of how it is currently being run. And its not just the idols but the music. Which has honestly affected me a lot. I felt that pang of lost identity again that I hadn't experienced since before kpop 12 years ago. The music is always what drew me first. Sounds cheesy but, its what made me "feel korean". For most fans, they get into dancing but I was never a dancer so the first thing I did when I got into it was learn lyrics and sing. Music has once again, always been apart of my life and it being in Korean just amped up the magic. I felt whole, like a missing puzzle piece being found, and to this day, waves of euphoria rush over me when I sing in Korean. Thats why I loveeeeeee noraebang so much and could spend an entire day in there. If anything were to change in kpop, it would be the music. Over the years, the visual aspect has just become overblown and I feel like I'm stanning models who can sing more often than actual musicians like I used to. The standards were always crazy, but I was fine with it because it didnt affect the music. And now it is. Worse nightmare came true. The actual music of a music industry being an afterthought makes you wonder wtf is going on.

[@mehrowumer9365]

Hey, very heartwarming to know how you got back in touch with your roots. All the best for your endeavours ahead, may they bring you peace and joy ♥️

[@lifeisbeautifuldarlinimlovinit]

This was so beautifully written! And you're right. It has become more about looks than the music

[@sharkchisha]

You should watch All of Us. A main character has a story similar to yours.

[@violetblossom7]

This is just a beautiful story thank you for sharing it 💜 I hope the kpop industry becomes better one day.

[@RiRi-ku6xz]

I think it had gotten alot better for trainees & idols in 4th gen vs 2nd gen

[@Eponine_Sandon]

I used to be a big kpop fan years ago my favorite groups were f(x) and Shinee and after the loss of Sulli and Jonghyun I had to look at kpop and think “something is not right”

[@btsarmy8390]

I'm I the only person who got influenced by the kpop and starved my self ended up with tons of diseases, looking back at myself at the time, I feel that is the most stupidest decision I've ever made, I had to drop out ever sports I've participated, I even failed one of my important exam because I couldn't focus on anything, I've been very social with anyone and allways had straight A s, know I'm left with social anxiety and depression because of my health, it been too years but I'm still facing to the consequences. I still can't believe it took me over 2 years to realise how toxic that is, even though I have realised it now I still don't feel like going out when I feel a little too big.

[@em-jd4do]

hang on and don't give up. the human body is quite resilient, i hope you can get better!

[@user-wl5iu7pj6u]

I totally get where you are coming from. I completely destroyed myself the past two years. Just now really trying to change that. Listen to em, you'll be quite surprised what the human body is capable of. Don't give up! You got this.

[@Faythe98]

Kpop definitely made my eating disorder worse. You are not the only one.

[@makesmewannadie647]

Im sorry for yall but pls also dont insult other peoples bodies. Ive seen many anore*ic kpop fans on Twitter bodyshaming other people thats Not nice

[@Daebakchingu]

This is literally a documentary video. Loved it. Very good educative

[@shirelbendayan8603]

in part two can you also talk abt sexuallizing idols that are minors. thank you for this video we all enjoyed it very much!!!

[@incognito__00]

Ewww who does that?!

[@shirelbendayan8603]

@@incognito__00 kpop industry and companies

[@sltx5678]

That's Japanese culture

[@LadsTalkTime]

It would be awesome if you can also talk about how this perfect k-pop idol image is used to exploit fans (especially vulnerable ones, e.g., youths, obsessed fans, etc) of all their money. Few examples: - Idols "not dating" so fans can romanticize a relationship with them (and spend so much money getting all sorts of merch, concert tickets, etc, to feel one step closer to them). - Idols losing all sense of personal identity (they are like a cardboard cut-out), so fans can project whatever they want onto them, which only makes the obsession worse. Some can say idols do have distinct personalities, but the truth is even those personalities that "we get to see" are HEAVILY CURATED! - Idols themselves fan servicing and the whole "Saranghae" shtick. Also making themselves extremely "available," e.g., vlives, the many many shows they put out, etc. Making vulnerable fans think they are literally friends, close with, or loved ones of the idols. It's creepy. Watched an interview with RM and Pharrell recently where he said, "he doesn't see individual faces when he performs, he just feels energy." Imagine being obsessed with someone so much so that you spend all your money on them just for them to call you energy. P.S., I understand what RM means there, it's just absurd how they (k-pop idols) intentionally or unintentionally coerce fans into thinking they are so close, but the reality is that they don't really know them or genuinely care for them, they are just thankful for the support.

[@epitome_importance5804]

This!!!!!

[@amblinky630]

exactly, i also remember that once a fan asked RM how to stick to diet, and he said its unhealthy don't do. then he himself lost weight for his recent album to look slim in the mvs and the fact he was just perfectly fine and healthy before losing weight is so contradictory. i m not hating on RM but what i mean is just that no matter who the idol is even if its a memeber from ur fav group, they will try their best to keep u attached to them so that they can earn. they definitely don't care about us like how most fan think.

[@katgreer6113]

@@amblinky630 yuppp

[@kodzukenma5]

LOUDER!!!! PREACH!!!

[@Euxiphipops77]

This comment deserves more likes.

[@rose3212]

Maybe that’s why we need to stop calling Korean artists, IDOLS. We idolize people who are just humans like us . Put them pressure and we like you said we are chasing an idea of perfection

[@SierraSl]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. I was just thinking about this. I been in kpop since I was 14 (I’m 22 now) after all these years I realize there are peoples just like the rest of us. Theyre dealing with mental issue just like everyone else . Fan put them on high pedestal but in reality theyre depressed. Just bc someone smiling on camera doesn’t mean there happy.

[@ongakira]

there’s a difference between idol music and korean music. korean ppl call people who do idol music idols bc idol music is different then actual korean music. y’all don’t seem to realize that

[@Once-qf3uj]

I quit listening to K-pop for about half a year! I really glad I watched this video! Thanks so much!

[@littlebodybigheart2528]

I totally feel you on this. By the way I never understood why everyone put it as a goal to be pretty like why just not care and be us? It would be way less tyring and injust for the one that dont correspond to the beauty standard. And even for the one who does. Beauty dont last for ever.

[@Everythingz127]

Because like to receive beautiful comments, human beings like when you flatter their ego, that's all

[@ThisUserPassedAway]

As someone who had a huge glow up, beautiful people are treated better, beauty privilege IS convenient. As you become more attractive, you also mysteriously develop a set of new qualities in the eyes of your surroundings. Being beautiful makes lots of aspects of your life easier, making friends, love life, manipulating people, hiring etc

[@savesoil3133]

Have you heard of the #SaveSoil #ConsciousPlanet movement before?🌍🌎🌏

[@Risalingisa]

Bc some people would like to look good for themselves because looking good will make you feel better feeling better will give you less mental problems and less mental problems means living a more positive and happy life

[@ruum9]

Society pushes it down your throat that to live a good life you have to be pretty. You'll get more opportunities and likability if people found you pleasing to look at.

[@margauxhaiart]

Super hot take about K-pop as a person who follows it from afar : they are using this image of toxicity idols experience as a marketing argument. And this is a major issue. Let me explain, yes Asia and South Korea have different point of view on working and body image/standard but not to this extent. One of the first stuff you know about K-pop is how toxic it is for idols, like literally. Quick story, one of my friend who was a fan of BTS got me to take a look à it. Ok they dance pretty well (dancing in K-pop is very good nowadays) and as a ex ballerina and student to become a dance teacher I went on KZbin for something like “BTS best live dances”. One of the first video being proposed was “bts exhausted, overworked, collapsing” blabla with a ton of footages of them backstage being sick, collapsing etc. And those videos were filmed and released by their company since it was backstage one. Especially one of them in which a member collapses so hardly that he pees himself. And all of that being filmed and released by his company. I was like WTF. All the comments in this video were supportive and even protective bu also very often thankful like “look at how bad they’re getting for us fan”. It sounds even more like wtf in my head. My friend presented me BTS since I liked South Korea and was planning on going there (went there since btw) and even though I am not this much into K-pop I follow some video about South Korea and end up having KZbin shorts related to K-pop a lot (and watch them sometimes because it is cool, sometimes as if I was giving a look at car crash while driving). And there is a LOT of shorts like that : idoles collapsing, not doing well, crying, even wearing outfits that they are clearly uncomfortable wearing etc… with always the same type of supportive/ protective comments and some form of pride getting people suffering this much for their audience by this same audience. Story time is over. I went from student to become a dance teacher to working in marketing and K-pop is something I look at and think about (at what it is, not for the content itself). And there is few obvious conclusions : First one yes before K-pop being more targeted to Asia some issue might not have been seen or adressed. but now that is becoming worldwide for few years, even to the extent that some companies and group are marketed more for western audiences than Korean one and it seems that it is getting even worst and worst for people living it. And fandom and people are communicating a lot about it. Si obviously companies know about it, and they obviously don’t want to change anything about it and even seem to make it more and more happening (it = display of idols being/feeling bad. I even saw some comments on some videos saying “oh yes, he often got this type of outfit even if he said he is uncomfortable with it” or “yes she is the main dancer and often collapsed there is many video of her being bad” etc). And I really do think it is done purposely by companies because not only they are exploiting their employees but it is also a wonderful marketing argument for them. It generates pity, compassion, and just some content in fandoms, reaction, support etc… and that is good for their idols to have this kind of empathetic and deeply involve public. Especially in K-pop where people are really close to their fan (live, meetings etc) , and image of them going way to far in this way. All of this gives fan this impression that they are “protecting” “supporting” their friends/lovers and that is good for business. Where all of this is becoming even more toxic is in this aspect : “look at what they are doing for fans” that comes from all side : companies, fan and idols. And this model is promoting toxic as F stuffs. It really is an opened door to toxicity, messed up relation ship. Like look how far they are willing to go, collapsing, putting their health at risk, for us, like this is LOVE. And no, no no no no no no. It is not and never ok to linked extreme behaviours to love. But to their audience it is working so well and often being a young audience it is promoting extreme and toxics behaviours. That obviously are display in return from audience. But anyway this “look how far they are going for you, have some empathy, be concerned, buy more” really is f up. So yes, even though I like listening to K-pop time to time and recognise that they’re great if not amazing dancers this all industry makes me feel like a car crash I take a look at. Sorry for some mistakes or maybe unclear points, English is not my first language. Yes I want a part 2 about other stuff about this car crash I am looking at. And it seems that you are currently in France (or was) I hope you enjoyed my country haha

[@pailines5274]

I often noticed these comments and much of that unfortunately shaped me in a way (thinking I have to go to my absolute limit until I collapse otherwise I haven’t made enough effort to be praised) but never thought about the industry doing that on purpose. Interesting take really.

[@Parthivigupta]

An extremely unique perspective and take

[@littlebluefishy]

THIS. 👏🏻

[@littlebluefishy]

I have always notice that ‘hard-working’ and ‘caring for fans’ is a big selling point of Kpop. Tho it’s not fake at all, but it’s definitely over glamorised. Kpop idols are taught to treat fans like lovers. Publicly addressing fans as girlfriends/boyfriends whenever being asked a dating question, fans buying a ton of albums to win a ticket for fan meetings, holding hands with fans at fan meeting, doing aegyo to please fans, taking valentines photoshoots for fans, fans purchasing ‘bubbles’ to have direct chat with idols, etc…

[@margauxhaiart]

@@littlebluefishy yes and associate extreme and dangerous behaviours with love. Like « look at what they are doing for you and your love, you have to love them ». It is the exact same rhetoric as toxic relationship and displaying this kind of behaviours as a proof of love is so f up. Like for real is a relationship takes you to such extrem RUN AWAY

[@darkhclme]

Is it weird that I'm struggling with body image from kpop now that I'm 22, but not when I was 16? getting back into kpop at an older age was just so different... and idk why :')

[@tubiexoxo]

It's cause you don't feel like a teenager anymore, at that time everything was fun and stuff but now you get judged by how you look rather than who you are (which is finally changing). It's all a little serious at this young age as you're the new adult but believe me from what I have seen it's just something in our mind. We just need someone to tell us just how amazing we are and we should all try our best to be that someone for ourselves.

[@darkhclme]

@@tubiexoxo yes I love this 🙏🫶

[@Spermsoupp]

@@tubiexoxo i think many teenagers believe they will get a "glowup" when they become an adult (including myself) so you get disappointed when it hasn't happened yet

[@samarakatap]

especially about the fact that FALLING IN LOVE is a crime in Kpop now. Like, netizens think it's ok to bash an idol if they fell in love?? God, give all these singers a break.

[@georgeoust]

For me, personally, K-pop initially had a very good effect. I am a male, on the way skinnier side, and I have more interest in “feminine” stuff like make up, beauty and I like feminine/androgynous clothing too. So, for the younger me, seeing this side of masculinity was not only an eye opener but also a way to feel “accepted” and “beautiful” since I definitely didn’t fit the western male beauty standards and matched much more to Korean. It also thought me important things abt toxic masculinity and gender roles, etc. However, in the recent few years it had started taking a toll on me. I started gaining weight on the pandemic and was not happy abt it. Tho I didn’t obsess over weight, i definitely didn’t feel happy and felt the need to loose it. Mind you as I said i already was on the skinnier side, so you can’t say I “became fat”, if anything I was more normal (76kg 189cm) and the weight gained was barely JUST 10kg. There were times where I’d excuse me not eating for long hours (just didn’t feel too hungry, I didn’t purposefully starve myself) as “it’s fine, maybe I’ll finally loose some weight”. I was even ecstatic when I lost like 2kg after going through Covid! I also became much more self conscious of my face, it was too asymmetrical, the eyes were too hooded, the lips not even enough, the nose too big. I was willing to spend thousands in plastic surgery if I had the money just for that. I am now aware of how K-pop influenced me into such unrealistic standards, and especially bcz when I discovered it it made me feel more attractive, suddenly seeing all these “imperfections” felt like I needed to do more to get back to where I felt like, an addiction almost. I’d literally think I need to be more beautiful cuz then more people will love me. Currently I am ok with my “not perfect face”. I am still pro plastic surgery, I don’t think it’s anything bad as long as you do it for yourself but personally I’m too scared to do it and I don’t think it’s worth all the money for me. I am much more confident with my body now, but I want to “change it”, this time not just for beauty, but mainly for health. Like you said, weight loss should come as a bi product of a healthy lifestyle, which admittedly I am not doing and I’d like to. Be careful people, cuz what we see online isn’t real, and often requires too much sacrifice that’s not worth it. I’d rather have that 10kg extra than fear that I won’t wake up in the morning like momo (poor soul, I’m glad things are much better now). I’ve noticed a change in kpop towards being more healthy, and extreme diets are in decline, but things are far from perfect. I’m just happy things are going to the right direction, while be it (very) slowly. Overall I feel happy with K-pop, it has definitely benefited way more than damaged me and I’m very grateful for the lessons it taught me (self love, not caring what others have to say, fashion, breaking gender norms are just some) and it was one of the main driving forces of getting over chronic insecurities thanks to the mass love yourself movement (despite colliding with idol body expectations). I’m just happy I caught me falling for the toxic beauty standards before things got too deep (and the delulu thing, but that’s a whole other topic). Just make sure you’re aware of these two as a K-pop fan (I’m still one btw) Sidenote: get other hobbies. Don’t let K-pop consume you. Life is abt balance. It definitely helped me

[@PrimarisAngelusMortis]

"Masculinity" lmao sorry to say but it's all gay and lame, no offences.

[@LiliiaRodionova]

Maybe because I became a k-pop fan not as a teenager, but older, I notice not only a beautiful picture and nice dols. I notice how much work and effort idols put into their work and that this work brings not only happiness and money but sometimes suffering and negativity. Also kpop affected me positively. I finally realized that my face is an Asian type and I stopped drawing cheekbones when I do make up. And I found workouts that I like and do not enrage. It became easier for me to be physically active.

[@unnati6281]

Yes. I’m into txt and all they inspire me to do is workout and eat a lot. Plus be a huge anime fan

[@Riayoun]

Face is an ‘Asian type’ 💀 🚩

[@LiliiaRodionova]

@@Riayoun what's wrong?

[@Riayoun]

@@LiliiaRodionovawhat makes the face ‘Asian type’? It just seems a bit of a stereotype.

[@LiliiaRodionova]

@@Riayoun I'm a Tatar. My nation has both European and Asian genes. I have round and flat face without visible cheekbones. I think I can say that my face is Asian type.

[@Yo15k]

“And u are just a part of that plan” gurlll…!!👏

[@rekuus]

I really loved this video, it's kind of eye opening for a lot of people. This viewpoint is so so much healthier for both the fans and the idols! I got into kpop when I was about 13 years old and never really thought about why I hate myself so much. Like the only thing I could say that I like about myself is my eye color and my hair because it's pretty strong, but that's it. I'm about to turn 20 and my view on kpop has changed so hopefully I can start to view myself differently aswell. I started noticing how staged everything was that the idols do (until this point I didn't even think of these things), every selfie has filters, even their shows and interviews aren't showing their real skin and etc. So now when I see an idol with their real skin, not being all perfect, it honestly comforts me. I still listen to kpop but I only follow a few bands closely(BTS and Ateez). To me it looks like BTS are changing and showing much more their real side than what they used to show fans. They are more openly speaking their minds and actually kinda draw a line for fans? I'm not sure if I worded this right, I was thinking about Namjoon and what he said on his recent lives. I really appreciate that they do this, it's giving me hope that maybe the industry could change and be a bit healthier. Of course because BTS members said things it doesn't mean that it will change, but it's giving me some hope.

[@pxmens9430]

In all honesty, as a K-Pop fan who started out around the golden era (2010 and up), these days, K-Pop doesn't feel genuine any more. It may have always been cash-grabbing and exploiting, but it seems to have gotten worse over the years, which a lot of new fans don't see. The industry itself is a scam at this point. Not only for the fans but most especially for idols and trainees alike. Edit: This is only for those two comments calling out the golden era. Even though those things happened - which those two mentioned - this doesn't change the fact that it's more prevalent now. With how widespread K-Pop is nowadays, it literally got worse. Do you think direct body shaming isn't so bad when it's done over online platforms? Do you believe suicide rates went down over the years? The K-Pop industry isn't transparent. It's not even K-Pop only, it's the Korean entertainment industry itself. We don't even know how many suicide cases there are because a lot of people who go down before even leaving a mark in the industry. Antis harming idols indirectly is just as bad as harming then directly. Body shaming still goes on left, right, up and down. It never stopped. People just use different methods these days. The golden era was never perfect. But it didn't reach heights of ridiculous standards like the current generation.

[@BhaktManomandirVihariniUma]

Idols in Golden era had it worse lol.. there used be direct bodyshaming on national telivision and antis used to directly harm idols

[@Bang...9900]

Your "gOlden eRa" has several suiside cases 💀

[@lilmeowmeow9283]

omg so true idols nowadays don't seem so passionate about music and just debut to get fame and such. We rarely see any self-producing groups now. All the companies care less about the music and more about brand deals etc

[@mooingcows]

I got into KPop in 2016 so basically a few years before it got really big and I very quickly realised how toxic this industry is. When KPop got big and until now I feel like the whole industry has gotten a lot worse due to the fact that they do not want to fail as they "finally made it" to the west. It is ridiculous how many fans have starved themselves to be "pretty" and I am so glad you made that video!

[@ladyhae9858]

That 9muses documentary is so brutal. A must watch for every kpop fan. Don't see the industry with rose-colored glasses

[@sajmoonsun]

I think I actually needed this...thank you

[@hellostarshine8583]

K-pop beauty standards is very toxic. I've seen my own cousins who are 13 talking about how they should look like this particular idol to be beautiful. Messing up the minds of kids. Thanks for talking about this topic.

[@anitawaris3850]

Thank you for making this video This video is spot on. It took me years to get out of my depression because of heavily following kpop industry. I'm still working on myself to get over my insecurities that were formed because of my obsession with kpop. I hope and pray that people stop idolizing them so much. It only destroys your peace and health.

[@audreymeaplayz7201]

Same to me too

[@totouchgrass]

i just hope the idols are okay. they work so hard

[@alenyaus]

i'm honestly shocked anyone is anything even close to ok in the entertainment industry (whether korea or the west)

[@idilicosmica]

I seriously need the second part for this video. You make me feel comfortable with... my own body, when social media's pretty faces and pretty bodies hit so hurt, you are like that angel that takes me and makes me to look at myself as pretty as I'm really am. Thank you so much, Zoe.

[@Rp-wt7uz]

I got into kpop in 2016, it seemed wholesome and beautiful at first but it slowly distorts you. I started to obsess over fashion, beauty, external appearance, being better than others etc. It’s so toxic, so bad for you and will destroy you if you don’t escape it. It’s like those ‘ugly to pretty’ videos that we watched as kids, all of it perpetuates fake damaging standards and turns us against each other. Pls escape while u can!

[@suzanarodrigues9491]

Vc falou tudo

[@inspirethinkdifferent7271]

I can honestly say that subconsciously we have been affected by kpop culture...even if we think otherwise

[@Umaima_Faheem]

Your video has helped me to look at this culture in a different light. Thanks for all your hard work!

[@vicstorms2427]

I've never been more self conscious about my skin, after seeing how pore less and perfect k-pop idols' skin are. It almost seems like they have a permanent skin blur filter on 24/7. I can't take a picture without filters now.