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Under Attack K-pop singer Goo Ha-ra, the target of online bullying, was found dead on Nov. 24. String of Suicides Points Up Cost of Fame in South Korea

Young entertainers are feeling increasingly desperate yet been ruled a suicide, but it was the third in the face of social media misogyny, rigorous demands unexpected demise of a Korean celebrity in less than two months. Actor and K-pop star and the stigma against seeking psychiatric help By JAE-HA KIM Sulli, 25, took her own life Oct. 14. Experts say a number of factors in South Korea are contributing to a sense of desper-

less than two weeks after 28-year-old only did Kang, 22, announce that he was tak- ation felt by many young entertainers: the VARIETY.COM K-pop singer Goo Ha-ra — known profession- ing an indefinite break for his own well-be- demand that they present a perfect pub- ally as Hara — was found dead in her home ing; he went a step further, telling fans he lic image, their rigorous training schedule — on Nov. 24 in a suspected suicide, South Kore- was being treated for his anxiety with psy- especially for musical performers — and a an pop star Kang Daniel posted a series of chotherapy and medication. It was a bold culture of online bullying that especially tar- troubling messages on his fan portal. “Some- move in a country that attaches shame to gets outspoken women like Sulli and Hara. one please save me,” he wrote on Dec. 3. seeking psychiatric help. “Koreans have a strict moral code for

“Everything is really too difficult.” Tragically, the same day Kang posted his their celebrities,” says Jeeheng Lee, a cul- DECEMBER 12, 2019 But the former Wanna One singer then plea for help, Korean actor Cha In-ha, 27, was ture expert at Chung-Ang University in

TKTKTKTKTKTK did something novel for a K-pop idol. Not found dead in his home. His death hasn’t Seoul. “Demonizing the K-pop industry alone 19 TOP BILLING | NEWS

In the Public Eye K-pop star Kang Daniel (top) took doesn’t solve the problem. Sulli and Hara suf- the bold step of informing fans fered more from misogynistic attacks than he was being treated for his anxiety; actor and K-pop star Sulli from K-pop fans.” (left) took her own life on Oct. 14 The entertainment industry has taken after being verbally attacked by steps to help artists deal with the pressures misogynistic fans. of fame. The Korea Creative Content Agency started a support center in 2011 for enter- tainers seeking help. Counseling sessions at the center have risen from 40 in 2011 to 164 in the first 10 months of 2019. In 2014, South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission add- ed a provision on supporting performers’ health to its Standard Exclusive Contract for suicide note, [which] eventually became my Popular Culture and Arts. song ‘The Light.’ My friends and family were “When you add in the pressures a train- able to help me survive. The glory of becom- ee has in trying to become successful, ing a K-pop idol is so enticing. But the penal- their lives can be exponentially more diffi- ty can be hell.” cult than regular teens’ — whose lives are Some stars are speaking out about their already difficult during that age,” says Peter struggles. Last year, 2NE1’s Minzy revealed Chun, co-founder of K-pop content aggrega- that she left the girl group in part because tion app theQoos and a former U.S. director she was battling depression and suicid- for YG Entertainment. ist for the trio Royal Pirates, Lee lost his abil- al thoughts. She has since embarked on a Most of the bigger agencies operate pro- ity to play the guitar. Just two weeks after smaller solo career. grams that help artists deal with the stress the first of numerous surgeries, his manag- Kim Tae-yeon of Girls’ Generation opened of being in the public eye. But the fear of ers sent him to audition for a Korean dra- up about her bouts of depression on her Ins- being viewed as mentally unstable can be a ma, telling him that the visibility would help tagram account this past summer. And last deterrent for those who might benefit from the band. month, singer Kim Hyun-ah revealed that such treatments. “It had been so conditioned in me to she suffers from depression, panic disorder “All cultures have a stigma against mental work through pain and never give up that I and vasovagal syncope, a disorder that caus- illness. It’s not uniquely Korean,” says Royce felt I had to go to the audition,” says Lee, who es fainting when triggered by emotional dis- Lee, an associate professor of psychiatry and has since returned to his native Los Ange- tress. “I’m going to keep trying to be well, behavioral neuroscience at the University of les to launch a solo career. “When I didn’t but people can’t be perfect,” she wrote. “It’s

VARIETY.COM Chicago. “But when talking about celebrities, get the role, I felt like a failure. … I wrote my not too late and I’m going to love myself and the intersection of culture and psychology take care of myself.” becomes very important. The idea that one But individual responsibility isn’t enough. must please everybody is both a very Kore- “Talking about celebrities, the There needs to be social change, says the an idea and a very common problem with intersection of culture and psychology University of Chicago’s Lee. “The audience, fame. So it is a double whammy.” becomes very important. The idea that media and culture need to shift into accep- James Lee understands that anguish all one must please everybody is both a tance rather than demanding artists con-

DECEMBER 12, 2019 too well. His K-pop dreams ended after a very Korean idea and a very common form to meet our expectations,” he says. “Oth- freak accident at a Seoul restaurant near- problem with fame.” erwise, these stars are caught in a loop of

20 ly severed his left hand in 2015. Then a bass- Royce Lee, associate professor, University of Chicago abuse that will never end.” TKTKTKTKTK