Seoul has enacted a new law aimed at protecting minor K-pop idols and trainees from various forms of harm in the industry
According to TenAsia (via Daum), Seoul has enacted a new law to protect minor K-pop idols from various forms of harm in the entertainment industry, including sexual harassment, forced plastic surgery, mental health issues, and so on.
In particular, this is an ordinance proposed by Seoul Metropolitan Council member Kim Gyu-nam, which focused on safeguarding the physical and mental well-being of youth involved in the K-pop industry. It was finally passed in December last year.
K-pop has grown into a global content. The sales volume of the domestic pop culture and arts industry is 7.8594 trillion Korean won (approximately 5.9 billion USD, as of 2020), and the economic effect is also increasing. However, it was pointed out that there was a lack of institutional grounds for protecting the rights and interests of trainees.
Accordingly, starting this year, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to prevent physical and mental health damage of youth trainees due to sexual harassment, sexual violence, weight loss, and forced plastic surgery, and support psychological tests and counseling for youth idol trainees, aiming for early intervention in case of similar risks.
Kim Gyu-nam stated that despite the global recognition of Korean cultural content, the risks and uncertainties faced by minor K-pop idol trainees are often overlooked. Therefore, the new ordinance seeks to establish a legal foundation for the protection of underage idol trainees, ensuring a stable growth period regardless of their debut status. Seoul City pledges various support initiatives to achieve this goal.
In the past years, K-pop idols have increasingly emphasized the importance of mental health. Psychological counseling and care provided by entertainment agencies during the trainee period are believed to have positive effects on future celebrity activities.
Back in November, BLACKPINK’s Rosé spoke about her mental health experience at the APEC summit in November, highlighting the need to pay attention to both physical and mental well-being.
As a matter of fact, various voices, bills, and amendments for underage idols are being proposed. In 2023, a bill called the “Lee Seung-gi Act” was discussed in the parliament last year. Although not passed, the bill aimed to limit the working hours of entertainers aged 15 and above to 35 hours per week, 30 hours per week for those aged 12 to 15, and 25 hours per week for those under 12.
Now, attention is being paid to the results that the new law will bring. If a positive influence is achieved, then the K-pop industry as a whole will be able to enjoy a healthier culture, moving away from appearance-focused and highly competitive atmospheres.
Source: Daum
