"I grew up listening to the 1st generation idol group (HOT, FinKL) and there was a time when I bought into the whole fantasy and allure of their existence. Now in my early 30s in the US pursuing my professional degree I feel sad what has happened to my home country.
The entire nation is basically wired to the matrix living a fantasy world. Kids are seduced with the idea of being pop stars instead of dreaming of real careers that can last them longer prosperity and genuine respect. Korea itself does not provide any infrastructure to succeed in life. Being brutally honest, becoming a pop star is a complete crap shoot competing against so many kids. Being a pop star does not pay well or stack any promising experience to contribute to a transitional career once it's done. Even if their shelf life lasts any long once they reach around my age, they're dead as Latin replaced by younger kids with no other job skills or knowledge other than dancing and singing like clowns.
Lets be honest. No one actually gives two about the artistic aspect of the music. It's about who is prettier. Quite frankly I'm amazed what passes for "masculinity" in Korea compared to what I've come to know as an American. Pale skin, skinny frame, scarves, wearing dress shoes with no socks, pink or some other neon color clothes, ridiculous hairdo, and exhibiting just about every fidgety beta male body language and traits you can imagine.
I spent the last 15 years standing shoulder to shoulder studying and growing old with just about the most brilliant kids on the planet who are now earning boat load and being praised as the shiz because they worked very hard and continue to get better. It's that dream that I continue to slog long hours myself because I know my path does not get bound down by a slave contract, needs approval of some mindless flock of people, and become obsolete once the hype washes off or I become too old and less spry looking. I am eternally grateful to my mom and dad for instilling that notion in my head and got my out of that cesspit of a country in time. K pop is practically at this point. 1/3 of the little kids want to be part of it? I see the 1st generation artists nowadays accepting every lame job invites and acting like dweebs on the internet because they have to scrounge for coins and it really is saddening.
Best wishes for the little kids and hope they got plan B and C once their contract is up. NBA players, though they fritter it away, at least get paid ton before they retire. Korean idols? It's like they party hard for 5 years without actually getting laid or chilling doing what they want. No , no money, no freedom, just living a dream before it runs out. Once it does run out, according to my mom, just literally commit suicide. That's reality people."
Comments
You must be logged in to comment.