Actress Kim Sae-ron’s death in an apparent suicide has renewed criticism of South Korea’s entertainment industry, which churns out stars but also subjects them to immense pressure and scrutiny.
Kim - who was found dead aged 24 at her home in Seoul on Sunday - had been bombarded with negative press coverage and hate online after a drink-driving conviction in 2022. Police have not provided further details about her death.
Experts found the circumstances leading to it depressingly familiar. Other celebrities also ended up taking their lives after careers upended by cyberbullying.
As Kim was laid to rest on Wednesday, analysts say they are not optimistic her death will lead to meaningful change.
A friend of mine has been following Kpop groups for a long while now, and he endlessly describes what happens in that industry as “extremely dark cyberpunk.” He has gone as far as loosely basing Cyberpunk campaigns based on the stuff he has read about what’s been happening in the Kpop industry.
This sadly feels very indicative of the world of Korean stars.
I’ve visited the country a couple times; fantastic food, friendly people, but holy fuck SK has SUPER aggressive late-stage capitalism disease. It’s just insane levels of consumerism, constantly. And this is coming from an American.
Yeah, literally cyberpunk 2077
Anybody who even remotely knows about Korean pop-idol culture should’ve already figured this out by now. My teenage daughter is super into kpop. It wasn’t hard to figure out.
Similar issue in Japan, Taiwan, China, and more. I remember reading about an idol fanbase going ballistic when their favourite weather girl got a boyfriend.
The whole idol industry is incredibly toxic. It turns parasocialization into a ruthlessly monetized business.
Excuse me, but I had nothing whatsoever to do with this.
Hadn’t thought to suspect you, but thou dost protest too much
I don’t play games.
Okay, I do play games, but this was not one of mine!
Literally cyberpunk 2077
