Unstable incomes, short careers, and uncertain futures are prompting some young artists to pursue new paths beyond the K-pop industry.
A growing number of K-pop idols are making the difficult decision to retire in their 20s. Unstable incomes, uncertain career trajectories, and significant mental strain are compelling many lesser-known artists to exit the highly competitive K-pop industry earlier than anticipated.
Kwon Eun-bin, a prominent member of the girl group CLC, officially announced her retirement on Tuesday. She confirmed that CLC’s 11th-anniversary concert in Taipei this July would mark her final activity as a singer.
At 26 years old, Kwon Eun-bin first rose to public attention through the popular survival audition program “Produce 101” before making her official debut with CLC in 2016. She later expanded her career by pursuing acting alongside her music endeavors.
In a heartfelt social media post, Kwon candidly shared the emotional struggles that ultimately led to her pivotal decision.
“Looking back, I spent more time suffering from emptiness and anxiety about my present and future than truly feeling affection and love for my work,” she wrote. “I’ve decided to leave behind all those negative experiences and emotions to pursue a better and happier future.” This statement resonates with many former K-pop idols facing similar challenges.
Kwon Eun-bin’s experience is far from unique. An increasing number of former K-pop idols have recently come forward, sharing their stories of life after K-pop. These accounts often reveal the profound economic and psychological challenges that frequently follow unsuccessful or short-lived careers in the intensely demanding K-pop scene.
Jung Eun-woo, 27, formerly a member of the girl group Pristin, announced via social media on June 5 that she has embarked on a new career path as a manager at a plastic surgery clinic.
In a separate interview with local media outlets, Jung Eun-woo disclosed that she had taken on various jobs to support herself financially after her K-pop idol career stalled.
“I’ve done other jobs too. I worked part-time at convenience stores, at clothing stores selling fur products, and even briefly at a marketing company,” she shared. “Even while I was active as an idol, I kept working in between music activities before eventually settling into the medical field.” Her journey highlights the diverse career transitions many former K-pop stars undertake.
Former idol Song Chae-ah also spoke candidly about her post-industry experiences in an interview uploaded on May 30 to the popular YouTube channel “Iamsazangnim.”
Song Chae-ah, who performed under the stage name Harin as a member of the girl group Lusty, which debuted in 2019, revealed that the group’s active career lasted only approximately six months before the COVID-19 pandemic brought their activities to a standstill.
“Lusty is listed as having been active until 2021, but in reality, we were only able to work for about half a year in 2019,” she explained. “Everything came to a stop because of COVID.” This abrupt halt significantly impacted their nascent K-pop careers.
Song Chae-ah further elaborated that most members received minimal or no income from their idol activities, underscoring the financial struggles within the K-pop industry.
While financial difficulties were a persistent concern, Song emphasized that the greater challenge was the profound impact on her self-esteem and overall mental health.
“The biggest issue was the loss of self-esteem,” she stated. “My mental health suffered a lot because of it. During group activities, I only saw my family three times a year — on New Year’s Day, Lunar New Year, and Chuseok.” These personal sacrifices are common among K-pop idols.
Such stories vividly reflect the harsh realities faced by countless young singers outside the exclusive circle of top-tier acts that dominate the global K-pop market.
While debuting as a K-pop idol remains a coveted dream for many trainees, the economic structure of the industry often makes it incredibly difficult to achieve a stable income. Industry estimates suggest that launching a new K-pop group can cost anywhere from 1 billion won ($653,300) to 2 billion won for smaller agencies. Major entertainment companies, on the other hand, may invest between 5 billion won and 10 billion won or even more. Because agencies typically prioritize recouping these substantial investments, many singers receive little to no settlement income during the initial stages of their K-pop careers.
“People see the success stories, but they’re the exception rather than the rule,” a K-pop agency official remarked. “Most groups never reach the point where members can rely on idol activities alone for a stable income, so it’s not unusual for them to start looking for other career options.” This insight sheds light on the economic pressures leading to former idols seeking second careers.
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