Winning first place on a music show used to be a dream come true for K-pop idols. These televised victories symbolized success, fan love, and industry recognition. But lately, something unsettling has crept into the world of these once joyful milestones: a growing sense of dread around encore performances.
“If You Go Off-Key, It’s Over” — The Growing “Music Show Win Phobia” Among Idols
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to achieve, but to be honest, I’m also afraid of getting first place on a music show.” This confession, echoed by several idols, signals a dramatic shift in how music show wins are perceived behind the scenes.
Encore stages, traditionally a moment of gratitude and fan service, have become high-pressure “live tests” where idols must prove their vocal ability on the spot. What used to be a celebratory bonus is now a make-or-break moment broadcast live and dissected online. In earlier years, idols would play around during encore stages, wearing funny props, switching parts, or goofing off to entertain fans. But today, social media and online forums amplify every note sung.
Clips with removed backing tracks and “exposed” live vocals flood platforms like TikTok and Twitter within minutes. One slightly off-key moment can spawn trending hashtags, memes, or worse, accusations of being a “lip-sync group.”
Cultural critic Park Song-ah explains, “Fans record and consume every moment of an idol’s career. While encore stages used to be mainly fan service, now even those are expanded into content, and perfection is demanded.” For rookie groups, the stakes are even higher. An encore stage isn’t just a performance—it’s a live audition for survival. Park adds, “In the K-pop market, a group’s fate can be decided in just a few performances. Even a single mistake is considered a risk to the entire brand.”
The “Poisoned Chalice” of a Music Show Trophy
Agencies, once excited to plan victory celebrations, now hesitate. “Before, we’d plan encore stages as a fun promise to fans. Now we just worry, ‘Can they sing it live without messing up’?” a company rep shared. With so much weight on a few seconds of live singing, the joy of winning is overshadowed by anxiety. The industry is shifting toward idols debuting as “perfect products.” From an investment perspective, teams need to be low-risk and yield fast results. This turns stage perfection into an economic asset. Idols today train longer and harder but are also expected to be flawless from day one. Yet the reality remains: no human can guarantee perfection under constant surveillance.
Despite the immense pressure, music show wins still hold value they mark achievement and popularity. But the trophy, once a dream, is now described by some as a “poisoned chalice.” Instead of a celebration, idols often brace themselves for a performance that could either elevate their image or trigger a wave of criticism. Industry insiders say, “Even the encore stage, which should be about thanking fans, becomes stressful. Everyone’s watching, ready to judge.”
K-pop Groups That Caused Encore Stage Controversies
In recent years, many K-pop groups have been embroiled in controversies regarding their live singing quality on encore stages, the performance after winning on music shows.
In contrast, groups like BLACKPINK, BTS Jungkook, and SEVENTEEN have been praised for their strong live vocals on encore stages, serving as positive examples compared to the aforementioned controversies.
- Encore stages are increasingly becoming a “test of live singing ability,” putting pressure on idols and making them easy targets for criticism if they make mistakes.
- Fourth-generation groups, especially girl groups, are most scrutinized for their live singing on encore stages.
- Some idols, such as Sakura (LE SSERAFIM) and Momo (TWICE), face repeated criticism, affecting their image and mental health.
- Public opinion is divided: some believe idols must sing well, while others think encore stages should be fun and not overly strict.
These controversies reflect the growing pressure on K-pop idols regarding live singing skills, especially in the age of social media and the rapid spread of encore stage videos.
This culture of constant evaluation, where even victories feel like tests, reflects the double-edged sword of modern K-pop. As the industry pushes for higher standards, perhaps it’s time fans and the public reconsider what we ask from idols in moments meant to be joyful. Because in K-pop today, even winning doesn’t always feel like success.
