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Foreign trainees allege exploitation at Seoul K-pop academy
Young aspiring stars from abroad say they paid thousands for training programs that failed to deliver promised opportunities, while facing alleged harassment and surveillance.
Broken promises and alleged abuse
Miyu, a teenager whose identity is protected, arrived in South Korea in 2024 with high hopes of becoming a K-pop idol. She paid 3 million yen ($19,800; £14,500) for a six-month program at a Seoul training academy, expecting professional dance and vocal lessons along with weekly auditions for major music agencies.
Instead, she told the BBC, the auditions never materialized. Lessons were infrequent, and she alleges she was sexually harassed by a senior staff member. The company, which remains unnamed for legal reasons, has denied all allegations.
"I dreamed of becoming an idol-but what I went through felt more like a scam. This is where I pursued my dream, but it also brings back my trauma."
Miyu, former trainee
Under-regulated industry attracts global hopefuls
The BBC spoke with two other trainees from the same academy. One also alleged sexual harassment by the same staff member, while the third said she witnessed inappropriate behavior toward others. All three claimed the program failed to provide promised audition opportunities.
The company denied these claims, stating that auditions were offered and that nearly 200 foreign trainees had participated in its programs since the late 2010s.
K-pop training institutes in South Korea fall into two categories: hagwon (private academies regulated by the education department) or entertainment agencies, which operate under the Ministry of Culture with far less oversight. The academy Miyu attended is registered as the latter, exempt from education laws and inspections.
Surveillance and fear in the dorms
Miyu described a senior staff member monitoring her movements and making unwanted advances, including an incident at a convenience store where he allegedly touched her waist and commented on her body. Another trainee, Elin (also a pseudonym), accused the same staff member of inappropriate touching during a private meeting.
Both women, along with a third trainee, claimed the staff member entered their dormitory unannounced, sometimes in the middle of the night. Elin said he once stood over her while she slept before leaving without explanation.
The company denied these allegations, stating that male staff were prohibited from entering female trainees' dormitories without a female chaperone. It also denied installing CCTV cameras in private spaces, though Miyu and Elin claimed cameras recorded video and audio 24/7 in practice rooms and dorms.
"The CCTV was live 24/7. They were picking up the audio as well... I didn't sign any consent to being filmed."
Elin, former trainee
Slim odds and systemic barriers
The K-pop industry is notoriously competitive, with a handful of powerful agencies controlling debut opportunities. Hybe, home to global acts like BTS, does not disclose its trainee numbers but told the Korea Herald in 2023 that nearly one-third of its trainees were foreign nationals. SM Entertainment, another industry giant, reports most of its academy students come from overseas.
However, the number of trainees has declined sharply, from 1,895 in 2020 to 963 in 2024, according to an industry report. Foreign trainees remain a small fraction-just 42 in 2024, up from 21 in 2022. Language barriers, visa restrictions, and industry connections further reduce their chances of debuting.
Miyu and the other trainees said their academy catered almost exclusively to foreigners, with no Korean students enrolled. Many arrive on tourist visas, making it difficult to track how many enroll in such programs.
Legal hurdles and unfulfilled justice
Elin filed a police report accusing the staff member of sexual harassment and trespassing, but the case was dropped due to lack of evidence. She is appealing the decision and has also sued the company for breach of contract, citing the alleged harassment, unauthorized dormitory entries, and CCTV surveillance.
The company continues to recruit students and promote its programs on social media. Elin expressed outrage at the lack of accountability.
"K-pop has gained worldwide fame-and with that comes responsibility. At the very least, I hope the children who chase this dream can do so in a safer environment."
Elin, former trainee
A dream deferred, but not abandoned
Despite her experiences, Miyu still hopes to become an idol. "Whenever things were hard, I held on by listening to K-pop," she said. "I still want to become an idol, no matter what."
The allure of K-pop stardom continues to draw young people from around the world, but for some, the journey has exposed the industry's darker side.
