'Dated the CEO to become central star?' Ex-K-pop idol Hyogyeong lifts lid on industry’s dark side

Hyogyeong / Captured from YouTube

A former K-pop idol is drawing attention online after sharing allegations about favoritism, dating scandals and financial struggles behind the scenes — sparking renewed debate about how the industry treats young artists.

Hyogyeong, who previously performed with the girl group ARIAZ, posted a video on her YouTube channel “HYOKEY,” April 9, detailing what she described as troubling experiences and observations from her time in the entertainment industry.

“I saw situations that were really messy while promoting an idol,” she said. “This didn’t happen at a major agency that everyone would recognize. Those companies invest heavily before debuts.”

She then made a striking claim about another company, saying, “A member of a different group was dating the agency’s CEO despite a large age gap. Even though she lacked skill and popularity, she always stood in the center or got the ‘killing parts.’”

Hyogyeong / Captured from YouTube

Hyogyeong said such practices are not limited to idols. “This happens not only to idols but also to trainees and rookie actors,” she said, adding that fans may have been confused about why certain members were consistently pushed to the forefront.

The former idol also spoke about financial realities that contrast sharply with the glamorous image of K-pop. “After about two-and-a-half years of activities, I received my first settlement statement — and there was no income, only debt,” she said.

According to Hyogyeong, expenses ranging from pre-debut training to styling, housing and meals were all counted as personal debt. This practice, often referred to as the “trainee debt system,” has long been criticized but remains a recurring topic in discussions about the industry.

Hyogyeong also shared an experience from when she attempted to transition into acting under a new agency. After two years of lessons and numerous auditions, she said she was cast as the lead in a film — only to encounter unexpected demands.

“The company said the script was ready, but when I checked it, the first scene had me taking a shower,” she said. “It even specified that I would be covered in tattoos. I still don’t understand why that was necessary.”

She added, “I didn’t spend years training just to film something like that. I respect actors who take on such roles, but I don’t think I have a ‘sexy’ body, and I didn’t want to become that kind of star.”

Hyogyeong said she hesitated for a long time before speaking out but ultimately decided to share her story. “I didn’t know whether I should talk about this, but I wanted to prevent others from going through the same thing,” she said.

Born in 1999, Hyogyeong gained attention after placing eighth on the JTBC audition show “Mix Nine.” She debuted in October 2019 as part of ARIAZ under Rising Entertainment, a subsidiary of Star Empire. The group later disbanded in April 2022 following controversies, including school bullying allegations involving a member.

This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.