The Death Of Ladies' Code EunB Draws Attention To The Humanity Of K-Pop Idols [Opinion]

(Photo : Yonhap News Agency)

Ladies' Code and the world of K-Pop suffered a loss this week with the death of EunB in a motor vehicle accident on September 3.

Media outlets throughout the world have been following her death and the events surrounding the accident, while fans have shown support for the group by leading their 2013 release “I'm Fine Thank You” to the top of Korean charts including Olleh and Melon.

As of print, Ladies' Code “Kiss Kiss” placed at the number nine spot on the “M Countdown” chart, following a tribute to the group on the September 4 episode.

EunB memorialized on 'M Countdown.'

K-Pop fans on the forum OneHallyu expressed their gratitude to the "M Countdown" tribute. Forum user thatsvicchan stated, "This is so sad.... but I am glad M!CD [M Countdown] did this. EunBi would be proud."

The posthumous attention that EunB has received by Korean media and Western mainstream press is unfortunate, given the fact that Ladies' Code did not receive the same degree of attention prior to the September 3 accident.

EunB is one of the first members of an idol group to die since K-Pop began to have a more global impact in 2012. News of her death was a trending topic on Facebook and Twitter, which caused many fans and the media to search for information about her career.

EunB also became the focus on a trending story for the New York City based media outlet MTV.com. It should be noted that MTV.com rarely runs stories regarding K-Pop.

In many unfortunate ways, EunB's death is like a morose version of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. How many celebrities and fans of those celebrities actually paid attention to ALS or knew what it was prior to the ice bucket challenge? In death, EunB has become a trending topic and has drawn worldwide attention.

The death of EunB also draws attention to the humanity of K-Pop idols.  

Beyond being rookie K-Pop idols, the members of Ladies' Code are young women, with families and friends. As condolences began to pour out from Korean celebrities, it is clear who is friends with the members of Ladies' Code and who wanted to offer comfort, without knowing the women.

Members of the Korean entertainment industry and their fans have not been this distraught since the SEWOL Ferry tragedy in April 2014.

In recent months, news surrounding Korean entertainment has been heavily focused on scandals. EunB's death serves as a virtual refresh button for both fans and the media. Scandals may bring in readers and viewership, but the sheer salaciousness of the details help to create situations in which K-Pop idols are dehumanized.

It is easy to embrace the image of idols which provides nicknames, stage personalities, an overabundance of aegyo or cuteness. K-Pop idols rarely cry on television or before an audience. When they do, it is either scripted as part of their K-Drama role or appears to be staged.

For fans and the media, the death of a twenty-one year old (22 in Korean years) entertainer is unimaginable. Polaris Entertainment, the agency representing Ladies' Code, has provided timely information regarding the funeral plans for EunB and the status of the remaining members of the group. Rather than being exploitative, Polaris Entertainment has been dignified in their handling of the event.

The story is even more distressing considering that the last media accounts from Korea on September 4 stated that Sojung and RiSe, who allegedly remains unconcious, have no knowledge of the death of their group mate.

We will mourn the death of EunB, while awaiting news surrounding the recovery of her group mates RiSe and Sojung. As we do this, we should consider the music of Ladies' Code and other rookie groups which may be flying under our radar.

Tags
LADIES CODE
EunB
polaris entertainment
sojung
RiSe
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