Despite their millions of followers, sold-out concerts, and global influence, many K-pop idols continue to suffer from mistreatment and company sabotage. The shiny façade of the K-pop world often hides a darker reality where fame doesn’t always equal fair treatment—even for top-tier idols like EXO’s Sehun, Suzy, and Hyuna.
Sehun: The Idol with the Least Lines and the Most Silence
Since debuting with EXO on April 8, 2012, Sehun has consistently received the least lines in group songs, despite his popularity and visuals. It's not due to a lack of talent—Sehun is widely recognized as one of the most handsome male idols in K-pop . Yet, he has been sidelined for over a decade by SM Entertainment, which has refused to give him a solo album, even as other EXO members launched successful solo careers .
On top of that, Sehun has repeatedly been excluded from SM Town concerts, further limiting his visibility and growth as a performer (example coverage here). Fans have long pointed out these discrepancies, questioning why an idol with such potential continues to be overlooked.
According to a report at NetEase In May 2025, Song Yuqi was originally scheduled to appear in multiple episodes of the Chinese variety show Keep Running, but due to last-minute changes by CUBE Entertainment prioritizing (G)I-DLE group activities, she was limited to just one episode. This isn’t the first time Yuqi’s solo opportunities have been cut short—fans have long accused CUBE of restricting her individual exposure under the excuse of group commitments. Despite being the most popular member in both Chinese and Korean markets, Yuqi receives significantly fewer solo promotions and variety appearances compared to her teammates. Many believe CUBE is intentionally holding her back to prevent her from outshining the group.
The “Suzy/Hyuna Effect” and Industry Favoritism
The K-pop industry is also guilty of sabotaging members who shine “too brightly.” Entertainment agencies often fear the “Suzy or Hyuna effect”—when one member becomes significantly more famous than the rest. Rather than celebrating their success, companies tend to suppress it to avoid imbalances in group popularity.
In some cases, companies pick favorites and push certain members forward while sidelining others. These internal power plays reflect a toxic culture of control, where idols are not just performers, but strategic assets manipulated to fit the company’s desired image.
The Bigger Issue: What This Says About Society
The mistreatment of idols isn't just a problem within the entertainment industry—it reflects larger issues in society, such as worker exploitation if they have a comeback they will only sleep for 2-3 hour per day even per week due to heavy schedule , gender inequality, and the obsession with image over well-being. In a world where we talk about mental health and empowerment, how can we allow our favorite stars to be overworked, silenced, or sabotaged?
Final Thoughts: It’s Time for Accountability
Fans today are more aware than ever. Hashtags trend, petitions gain signatures, and companies are being called out. But lasting change will only happen when entertainment companies begin to treat idols as humans, not products.
If we truly love and support our favorite idols, we need to speak up when we see injustice—and demand a K-pop industry that prioritizes fair treatment, mental health, and creative freedom.
Yue Leng Chong is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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