K-Pop Idols Docuseries: The 10 Most Shocking Quotes
Along with the context behind them
To be honest, I started watching K-Pop Idols expecting a generic and uninteresting show, so I was pleasantly surprised by the ways it stood out from other K-pop-themed documentaries! The six-episode series covered much more ground than I had anticipated, dove into issues facing K-pop artists in substantive ways without seeming exploitative, and let artists and (a refreshingly diverse array of) fans speak for themselves. Plus, the show included a surprising number of new revelations to even the most hardcore K-pop fans. I expected a run-of-the-mill explainer of the trials and tribulations of the world of K-pop idols, but what I saw instead was much more memorable than that!
Here are just ten of the many direct quotes from K-Pop Idols that stood out to me:
#1: Jessi on PSY: “He brainwashed me!”
Jessi said this jokingly, smiling as she recalled how much PSY hyped her up prior to her signing with his label. He was persistent in saying she needed to be the first artist he signed to P NATION and implied only she could lead to its eventual success.
While Jessi sounded grateful for PSY’s confidence in her, she admitted they had a falling-out after he released “That That.” That song came out right around the time Jessi released her own new single, “ZOOM,” and the momentum behind Jessi’s song was lessened due to the buzz around PSY’s song.
Besides lingering resentment over a potentially huge chart moment being overshadowed by her boss, Jessi said she left P NATION due to a creative slump. She believed it would be easier to try new things musically if she went independent.
#2: Jessi: “People are scared of women speaking up.”
During a concert in Cambodia, Jessi told the crowd, “People are scared of women speaking up… Sometimes you have to be a b****.” Her words carried more weight by being in the final episode. After watching Jessi recall being scrutinized for her appearance, being forced to pick up the slack for everyone else while an independent artist (for a period of time), and dealing with other unfair and taxing circumstances, viewers heard her reaffirm her determination to fight for what she deserves.
More context: One of Jessi’s most surprising admissions was that she only became insecure about her appearance after getting plastic surgery, something she described going overboard with and regretting. She stressed that she doesn’t judge those who get plastic surgery; her issue is with people like her feeling forced into getting it.
#3: CRAVITY’s manager: “I honestly don’t think they’re that special yet.”
Two members of CRAVITY’s management team were asked during their interview what made CRAVITY stand out amid a sea of new K-pop groups. One of them did not have an answer, saying, “I don’t think they’re ‘extra special’ yet.” Someone who remained off-camera encouraged him to change his answer, even offering suggestions for specific responses that would paint the group in a more positive light. But he simply reiterated, “I - - I honestly don’t think they’re that special yet. I’m just saying what I really believe.” The staffer tried again to redirect the interview in a more positive direction, and his final response was, “Can’t you ask Siwon this question instead?”
More context: These thoughts were not universally shared among CRAVITY’s team members. In a different episode, Eshy Gazit spoke very highly of CRAVITY’s prospects, going so far as to say they could become just as big in America as MONSTA X did.
#4: CRAVITY’s Taeyoung on his dad’s reaction to his K-pop aspirations: “still a deep-seated grudge…”
Taeyoung acknowledged tension between him and his “realist” dad over his K-pop dreams. “He’d criticize my mom for letting me focus on dancing… it’s still a deep-seated grudge,” he admitted. However, he also said his relationship with his dad has thawed somewhat over time, and he thinks time and distance have helped.
#5: CRAVITY’s Allen on Starship Entertainment trainee Jiyong: “I have high hopes for this kid.”
If anyone knows the sacrifices that go into K-pop training, it’s Allen. He dropped out of high school, moved from Los Angeles to South Korea, and did not see his family for four years while training. His story is unsurprising; many aspiring K-pop stars leave their old lives behind for years before possibly getting the chance to debut in a group. That commitment is something Starship Entertainment trainee Jiyong clearly shares. As of filming time, Jiyong said he’d been training since March of 2019 and had a daily schedule that included going to school, taking an around-ninety-minute train ride to practice, rehearsing, and then maybe getting home by 2 AM. Allen said he is “super proud” of Jiyong for maintaining his determination to debut someday. Separately, CRAVITY member Taeyoung praised Jiyong and offered feedback on his dancing.
#6: DR Music’s CEO, aka Mr. Yoon: “Until I reach the top, the time for me to rest and sleep is when I’m dead.”
Mr. Yoon said this is his motto and one he hoped the members of BLACKSWAN would also follow. He said this in a meeting held after Leia repeatedly expressed a desire to give up. Leia cited the stigma around mental health transparency in the K-pop industry as a reason why she was hesitant to admit that her declining mental health was the reason behind her lack of motivation.
More context: The series touched on some of the contractual terms for DR Music employees, including a mandate to assist employees undergoing mental health-related hardships. Leadership did take action in this case, making sure that Leia saw a psychiatrist.
#7: Fatou’s mother, Bineta: “I’m scared of losing her.”
After BLACKSWAN’s first concert, Bineta got emotional when a crowd chanted Fatou’s name as she hurried into a vehicle to leave the venue. When asked why that scared her, Bineta said, “I think it’s because I’m scared of sharing [Fatou] with the world… I’m scared of losing her.” The closeness of Bineta and Fatou’s bond was on full display throughout the show, helping viewers understand both why Bineta looked overwhelmed when watching her daughter perform and why Leia’s behavior during a visit with Bineta provoked a strong reaction from Fatou (“Leia said some things that were really disrespectful towards my family. It made me see a whole new side of her… I will never forgive her for that.”).
More context: Fatou actually did forgive Leia eventually, and the series spent a lot of time unpacking the emotions and thoughts that led up to their infamous, fandom-splitting feud.
#8: BLACKSWAN’s Judy: “I think it would be better if they were more talented.”
Judy candidly shared her impression of DR Music’s two new trainees when there was just one week left to go before their final evaluations. If these trainees impressed DR Music’s management, they were set to become BLACKSWAN’s newest members, something about which multiple current members admitted to being unenthusiastic.
More context: The BLACKSWAN members who shared concerns with adding new members did not indicate any personal issues with the trainees themselves; the addition of new members in general is what seemed to worry them. They appeared apprehensive at the thought of their now-established group dynamic being disrupted. Additionally, Youngheun said she thought DR Music was “rushing” their debut; it had been only six months since the new trainees had moved to South Korea and started preparing. For comparison’s sake, Fatou recalled having a year-long training period.
#9: BLACKSWAN’s Youngheun: “I’m done with the K-pop industry.”
In one of their apartments, Judy and Youngheun talked about their experiences both during and after leaving BLACKSWAN (they had both “graduated”). They reflected on all the restrictions they faced while in the group: a 10 PM curfew, bans on dating and drinking, and a requirement to always keep staff updated on their whereabouts. They both seemed relieved about their post-BLACKSWAN freedom and expressed no desire to go back to the entertainment industry at all.
More context: Youngheun did express interest in a YouTube career in the show, something she eventually did pursue.
#10: Mr. Yoon when asked if he approved of his son becoming his successor: “Well, I guess I have to, don’t I?!”
As of filming time, Mr. Yoon’s son, Philip, had been working at DR Music for seven years and hoping to inherit the company from his soon-to-retire dad. He said his dad did not initially want him to take over and hoped he would pursue a career unrelated to entertainment, but Philip followed in Mr. Yoon’s footsteps because he desperately wanted to spend more time with his ultra-busy dad. He also stressed throughout his interview segments how much he wanted his dad to be proud of him.
When Mr. Yoon gave the docuseries team a tour of his home, he showed off tons of framed photographs. When asked if he had any there of Philip that he could show them, he scanned the rows of pictures and admitted there were none.
More context: Philip and his sister separately shared the same views of Mr. Yoon as a relatively absent dad while they were growing up but now a very doting grandfather. Mr. Yoon said as much, saying he felt a need to overcompensate for his absence from his own kids’ childhood years by spending lots of time with his grandchildren.
More Surprising Moments
When asked about his parents’ reactions to him dropping out of high school to pursue his K-pop dreams, Allen said they were “completely supportive of that”!
Jessi’s dad said his biggest fear is that she will give up on her desire to get married and have kids someday.
Philip said he had expected DR Music trainee Gabi to give up after ten days, and her tenacity impressed him.
When Leia was expressing her wish to be let out of her contract early, Mr. Yoon revealed (without Leia present) that she had technically violated it already many times, implying the contract could be considered void, but he “never pointed it out to her.”
Taeyoung gushed about being told “Good job” by the higher-ups at Starship Entertainment after CRAVITY’s KCON LA performance. He said they hardly ever get compliments like that, because the staff tries to ensure their artists do not get complacent.
Jessi expressed interest in releasing more R&B-focused music in the future, as well as more “raunchy” stuff (her word choice)!
Watch K-Pop Idols to…
Learn the career backstories of Jessi, members of BLACKSWAN, and members of CRAVITY
Find out the strange dream job CRAVITY’s Hyeongjun initially had!
See lots of emotional family reunions and childhood photos
Watch Jessi’s mom’s reaction to meeting Jay Park
Learn the full story behind the video of Jessi crying when left hotel-less in Paris
Hear Mr. Yoon lay out his long-term vision for BLACKSWAN
See an unexpected cameo from a Starship Entertainment senior!
And MUCH more!
Final Thoughts
While K-Pop Idols was much more illuminating than expected, it did have room for improvement, particularly with its formatting. The soundtrack throughout the episodes seemed thematically random, and certain topics were not unpacked as much as I would have liked (for example, the struggle of debuting during the COVID pandemic’s early days). Overall, though, the pros outweigh the cons and definitely make K-Pop Idols worthy of watching and discussing with fellow K-pop fans.
K-Pop Idols premieres on Apple TV+ August 30!