Jo Kwon's Shocking Revelation: The Hidden Struggles Behind K-pop's Glittering Facade"

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Jo Kwon, a member of the group 2AM, made a shocking revelation that he received only 210,000 won (approximately $175) as his first settlement after debuting, following three years of hard work. This revelation has reminded many of the dark side of the K-pop idol industry.

In a recent video on the YouTube channel 'Studio Maeilmaeil,' Jo Kwon shared the difficult times he faced, contrasting with his current glamorous life. In the video titled "17 years since debut! How much is the apartment of a CEO-level celebrity? | Samsung-dong Hillstate," Jo Kwon showcased his luxury apartment in Samsung-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and candidly spoke about the hardships from his trainee days to his early debut.

Jo Kwon expressed that when he sees younger idols now, he thinks, "It's just the beginning." He emphasized that the glamorous moment of debut is only the start of a long journey. He said, "It's very new and happy at the moment, but if I were to go back to that time, I wouldn't be able to do it," indirectly highlighting the hardship of his trainee days.

In a conversation with BTOB's Seo Eunkwang, Jo Kwon admitted that his trainee days were harder than after debut. "The trainee period was tougher. I had nothing and could do nothing," he said, adding that "Once you start earning money, you can eat delicious food and do what you want, but as a trainee, you have no money." This starkly reveals the reality many idol hopefuls face.

When Seo Eunkwang shared that he received a monthly advance of 500,000 won from his company before his first settlement, Jo Kwon revealed he didn't even receive such an advance. This shows the varied treatment trainees receive within the same industry.

The most shocking revelation was Jo Kwon's first settlement experience. He said, "After three years, my first settlement, after deducting all the trainee expenses, was just 210,000 won." This means that after three years of effort and dedication, he was rewarded with only 210,000 won. Reflecting on this moment, Jo Kwon said, "I cried so much. I hugged my mom and cried," vividly conveying the despair he felt.

Moreover, even that 210,000 won did not bring real benefits. Jo Kwon said, "That money went to pay the phone bill." The fact that his three years of effort only covered his phone bill is heart-wrenching.

Jo Kwon's revelation clearly exposes the harsh realities of the K-pop idol industry. Behind the glamorous stage appearances, there are financial difficulties and unstable income structures that many idols face. Especially in the early stages of their careers, idols often take a long time to repay the debts accumulated during their trainee days before they can earn a substantial income.

This reality provides important insights for aspiring idols and their families. Recognizing the financial and mental challenges behind the seemingly glamorous idol life and preparing for them is crucial. Simultaneously, there is a growing call within the entertainment industry to improve the treatment and fair compensation for trainees and new artists.

Although Jo Kwon's case is from the past, it is likely that many aspiring and new artists are currently in similar situations. As the K-pop industry continues to grow globally, addressing these issues is crucial. Creating a healthy industry ecosystem where artists' talents and efforts are fairly evaluated and rewarded is essential for the future development of K-pop.