"I Came to South Korea Dreaming of Becoming a K-pop Idol"...Foreign Trainee Says She Feels "Cheated"

[Financial News] Stories of foreign trainees who came to South Korea determined to become K-pop stars but returned home disappointed, without achieving their dreams, have been reported by foreign media. They said they paid large sums to enroll in K-pop training academies, only to receive little actual training and, in some cases, suffer sexual harassment from academy staff.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported on the 7th (local time), "Thanks to the popularity of K-pop, South Korea has become a place where young people around the world dream of breaking into the K-pop industry. Every year, many sign up for trainee programs that promise a path to becoming K-pop stars," as it introduced the stories of two trainees.
A teenage girl from Japan, referred to under the pseudonym Miyu, came to South Korea in 2024 with the dream of becoming a K-pop idol. She paid 3 million yen (about 27 million won) to enroll in a six-month course at a K-pop training academy. In return, the academy promised professional dance and vocal lessons, as well as opportunities to audition with major entertainment agencies.
However, none of the terms of the contract were fulfilled.
Miyu told the BBC, "They said there would be auditions every week, but not a single one was held." She added that the level of dance and vocal training fell far short of what she had expected for the amount she paid.
She also pointed to the inappropriate behavior of a senior staff member. Not only did he monitor Miyu’s actions, but about three months after the program began, he started making disturbing requests.
Miyu recalled, "He said he would buy me ice cream and took me alone to a convenience store. While I was choosing, he put his hand on my waist and said, 'You have a nice body.'"
She continued, "Once, he told me to come to the office to discuss outfits for a photo shoot. When I got there, he said, 'Let’s talk about costumes,' and told me to sit on his lap. I sat on the armrest of the chair instead, and since that day, even just hearing his voice scares me."
Miyu said, "I wanted to become an idol, but I feel like I was scammed," stressing, "This is where I chased my dream, but at the same time it’s a place that brings back my trauma."
Another foreign trainee at the same company, using the pseudonym Elin, recounted a similar experience. She said the same staff member called her into a meeting room and, under the pretense of teaching her the Korean word for "buttocks," touched her waist.
Elin said, "I was so scared that I texted a friend and begged her to come quickly."
She went on, "This staff member would come into the dorm rooms at two or three in the morning, saying he was fixing the lights. Once, he came in while I was sleeping and just stood there watching me," adding, "He left the room without saying anything, but I was so terrified that I haven’t been able to sleep properly since."
Elin and Miyu also pointed out that closed-circuit (CC) cameras capable of recording both video and audio were installed throughout the dormitory.
In the end, Elin filed a police complaint against the staff member on charges of sexual harassment and trespassing. However, the case was closed due to insufficient evidence. She also filed a separate complaint against the company.
The staff member and the company are currently denying all of the allegations made by the two trainees.

The company’s legal representative told the BBC, "Under our internal regulations, it is strictly forbidden to enter female trainees’ dormitories without being accompanied by a female staff member," and argued, "The installation of CCTV was announced in advance and was entirely for the purpose of protecting the trainees."
An industry insider told the BBC, "Their training programs are not subject to regulation or oversight." A Ministry of Education official also noted that, under current rules, it is difficult to regulate such "academy-style agencies" because entertainment companies are not restricted from teaching foreign trainees language and dance.
After leaving South Korea, Elin said, "K-pop has gained worldwide fame, and that comes with responsibility," adding, "At the very least, I hope the kids who chase this dream can live in a safer environment."
y27k@fnnews.com Reporter Seo Yoon-kyung Reporter