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Analysts say they are not optimistic that the ruthless “cancellation of cancellation” surrounding the industry will change
The death of actress Kim Sae-Ron in an apparent suicide has renewed criticism of the entertainment industry in South Korea, which produces stars but also subjects them to immense pressure and exam.
Kim, 24, had been bombed with negative media coverage and online hatred after a conviction to have a drink in 2022. She became so unpopular, scenes showing her were published by shows.
The circumstances that lead to his death are depressed, according to experts. Some other celebrities who have made their career upset by cyberbullying has also ended up committing suicide.
On Wednesday, Kim was buried, analysts say that they are not optimistic, his death will lead to a significant change.
The South Korea entertainment industry benefits from massive popularity.
Today, there are more than 220 million fans of Korean entertainment worldwide – four times the population of South Korea.
But there are also growing spotlights on the less glamorous side of the entertainment industry.
South Korea is known for its hyper -competitive culture in most spheres of life – career education. It has one of the highest suicide rates among developed countries. While its overall suicide rate decreases, the deaths of those of the twenty increase.
This pressure is increased in the case of celebrities. They face immense pressure to be perfect and are subject to the requirements of obsessive “super fans” that can do or break careers.
This is why even the slightest false step perceived can be the end of the career.
“It is not enough that celebrities are punishable by law. They become targets of incessant criticism,” the critic of Korean culture Kim Hern-Sik told BBC.
He referred to the artists of K-Pop Sulli and Goo Hara, died by suicide in 2019 after long battles with the Internet trolls, even if they did not know the brushes with the law.
Sulli had offended the fans not to comply with the K-Pop mold, while an internet crowd had targeted Goo Hara about his relationship with an ex-friendly friend.
“ A real cammar game ”
Cyberintimidation has also become a concert for money for some, said Korean culture criticism, Kim Hern-Sik, told BBC.
“YouTubers gets opinions, forums get commitments, the media get traffic. I don’t think that (Kim’s death) will change the situation.
“There must be a more severe criminal sanction against leaving unpleasant comments,” he said.
Kim Sae-Ron’s father blamed a youtuber for his death, saying that the controversial videos they published caused him deep emotional distress.
Others have pointed out fingers in certain local media, which would have fueled public animosity against Kim by reporting unaccounts.
“This cycle of assassination of the characters focused on the media must stop,” the coalition for the democratic media of the civic group said on Tuesday.
Na Jong-ho, professor of psychiatry at the University of Yale, compared the series of deaths of celebrities in South Korea to a real version of Squid Game, the South Korean Blockbuster Netflix which sees the battles in death for death for A huge cash price.
“Our society abandons those who stumbles and advance as if nothing had been. He wrote on Facebook.
“Driving in a state of drunkenness is a big mistake. There would be a problem with our legal system if it remains unpunished. However, a company that buries people who make mistakes without giving them a second chance is not healthy “Added Professor Na.
Last year, the BBC reported how the “super fans” in the notorious K -Pop industry are trying to dictate the privacy of their idols – from their romantic relationships to their daily activities outside of work – and can be ruthless When things disappear.
It is not surprising that Kim Sae-Ron has chosen to withdraw from the public after her condemnation of the one, for which she was sentenced to a fine of 20 million won (£ 11,000) in April 2023.
However, it should be noted that all public figures are not subject to the same treatment. Politicians, including the head of the opposition Lee Jae -Myung, also have condemnations prior to drinking training, but were able to bounce back – the polls show that Lee is now the main presidential candidate in the country.
In South Korea, it is “extremely difficult” for artists to recover when they do something that puts a crack in their image “idol”, explains the chronicler of the K-Pop Jeff Benjamin.
It contrasts this to the entertainment industries in the West, where controversies and scandals “sometimes add” adding an advantage of Rockstar “to the reputation of celebrities.
“Although no one encourages when a Hollywood celebrity is arrested for Dui (drinking under the influence of alcohol or drugs) or sent to prison for important crimes, it is not necessarily at the end of career “He said.
Although the Korean entertainment industry has taken measures to respond to artist’s mental wealth problems, we do not know how effective they were.
A real change can only occur when there are no more financial incentives or attention to pursuing intrusive relationships, explains Mr. Benjamin.
If you have been affected by one of the problems in this story, you can find information and support on the BBC Actionline website here.
Additional Jake Kwon reports in Seoul
