In a vlog, Bang Minsoo (C.A.P), the former leader of TEEN TOP, exposed the hardships of K-pop idols that usually take a toll on their mental health.

C.A.P Reveals Idols' Hardships Based on Experience as Former TEEN TOP Member

On July 2, former TEEN TOP C.A.P, hereinafter Bang Minsoo posted a new video on his official YouTube channel.

In the clip, the idol-turned-YouTuber went real and revealed the hardships of a K-pop star, then corrected misconceptions about the idol culture.

"I will tell you why I think the idol culture is gradually getting sick now. There are friends who are preparing to become idols. They will be brainwashed by the company continuously, saying, 'You can't date,' 'You shouldn't smoke,' 'You shouldn't drink.'

Since the company has also invested in them, they know that if their idol acts like that, they will also be ruined, so they keep brainwashing them."

C.A.P used his personal experience as an example where he was badly criticized prior to leaving TEEN TOP after he was seen smoking during a live broadcast.

ALSO READ: CAP Reveals Real Reason He Left Teen Top

"Until I was a trainee, it was physical labor. However, when once I debuted, it becomes emotional labor. Unexpected officials come in, and unexpected people swear a lot and throw stones at me."

Regarding the misconception that it's because K-pop idols sell "fantasy" as a job, C.A.P. clearly disagreed and emphasized that idols should be called dance singers instead.

"No. Being an idol is not a fantasy-selling job. There must have been a beginning. If you look at the singers in the 80s, there are a lot of concepts that went out of the world. SHINHWA and H.O.T. did the same. The end of the century concept. Then at some point, someone would have realized that it worked well as well to sell 'fantasy.'

I fundamentally say, idols are not a fantasy-selling job. People who like the idol only make it that way. At first, the purpose was to make the stage more cool and colorful for several people to do what one dancer or singer couldn't do.

At some point, it became a fantasy sale. So the word idol itself is also wrong. You should rather say you are a dance singer."

Bang Minsoo Mentions Effects of Haters on Idol's Mental Health

Aside from the brainwashing of the company, Bang Minsoo also opened up about the effect of malicious comments and haters on an idol.

In this case, Minsoo explained how haters duplicate.

"There are a lot of fans who are 'teachers'. However, if there is one or two teachers, others around them are affected. If one or two people give me a medal, other fans around copy it."

Regardless of how painful and malicious the comments are, C.A.P confessed that all they can do is bottle it inside, which will eventually take a toll on their health.

"But idols can't talk about it. So you keep getting sick inside. I can't speak publicly, so I keep getting sick inside. So, resting because the kids are sick is not really sick. 'Because my mind hurts, my body hurts.'

READ MORE: CAP Confirmed Leaving TEEN TOP + Idol Apologizes in Handwritten Letter

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Written by Eunice Dawson.