K-Pop music brings joy to millions of fans around the world, but not all that glitters is gold. Over the years, many idols, trainees, and staff members have spoken out about their disturbing experiences in the Korean entertainment industry.
One of these ex-trainees is 31-year-old Vivian Jo Hyeon Gi, who left the K-Pop world to start an entirely different life. 12 years after she began training to be an idol, Vivian is now a content creator and co-owner of Jo Ju Bang, a restaurant. The other owner is his husband, Lawrence (also known as XL), a former Mandopop singer.
During an interview about Jo Ju Bang, Vivian shared details about her past with the Singaporean online magazine 8days. After studying dancing, singing, and theatre, Vivian became a K-Pop trainee at 19. She stayed at her unnamed company for over a year before an unsavory experience soured her idol dreams.
Vivian said was “forcefully asked” to have a romantic relationship with a producer to advance her career.
The industry had a dark side and certain expectations that didn’t align with my values. I was forcefully asked to have a relationship with a producer, so that I would have a better chance in the entertainment scene.
— Vivian
After refusing to do so, Vivian enrolled in university and took on a managerial role at a Korean aesthetic clinic in Singapore before eventually starting her current business. Now she is a happily married mother of two who still sings for fun with her husband.
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Sadly, Vivian’s experience with the Korean entertainment industry is not unique. Read more about K-Pop’s dark side here:
The Internet-Famous High School Girl Who Survived K-Pop’s Dark Side
