It was the moment that solidified the rise of “K-culture” in Britain. Four South Korean pop princesses were ecstatic after being awarded honorary MBEs by King Charles this week. The record-breaking K-Pop band Blackpink, consisting of members Jisoo, Lisa, Jennie, and Rose, captured the moment by performing at California’s Coachella Festival in April. The band also met King Charles at Buckingham Palace earlier this week. While fans of Blackpink weren’t surprised by this move, it left royal watchers scratching their heads. Blackpink became the first Korean band to headline a UK festival at BST Hyde Park in the summer, breaking YouTube records with 82million subscribers as part of the K-Wave or Hallyu movement. This movement has seen Korean culture explode into the mainstream, fueled by the TikTok generation.
The entertainment industry in Korea masks a dark underbelly, including multiple suicide cases. The man behind Blackpink’s success was last month given a suspended prison sentence for trying to cover up a drug scandal involving one of his singers. Executives have been accused of sexual exploitation, leading to the spate of celebrity suicides.
South Korea has very conservative values, leading to the country having the highest female suicide rates in the developed world. Young talent in Korea’s entertainment industry are facing strict rules and unhealthy habits, leading to problems such as mental health issues, eating disorders, and violence. Despite hope for change, South Korea is still facing issues with providing proper mental health support for its young talent.
