Ageism is a deep-rooted issue in our society in general; however, it is a severe problem in the entertainment industries, especially the South Korean one. And the unfortunate part is that it is often female idols who fall victim to it. Recently, SAY MY NAME’s member Hitomi sparked conversation about ageism in K-pop after making a candid and heartbreaking comment about age and beauty in the industry. Read on to know more.
Japanese idol Hitomi is a well-known name in the K-pop industry. She first debuted as a singer in Japan at the age of 12. Later, she joined the famous J-pop group AKB48. The idol then went on to participate in a K-pop survival show through which she debuted in the popular group IZ*ONE. Currently, Hitomi is a member of the girl group SAY MY NAME.
Hitomi’s Confession About Ageism In K-Pop
With such an illustrious career, it is clear that Hitomi has had multiple first-hand experiences of how the K-pop industry treats idols of different age groups. In a recent video with popular YouTuber Kian84, viewers got a behind-the-scenes look at the group’s busy schedule during promotions. While the video was lighthearted and fun, one particular moment from it stood out. It was Hitomi’s raw and real confession.
Hitomi acknowledged that she used to think that celebrities had an expiry date and that she should pursue her career when she was at her most beautiful. Her statements implied that she believed that a K-pop idol’s success depended on their youth, a view influenced by the unwritten norms of the K-pop industry.
Some fans were disappointed by Hitomi’s remark, but others felt sorry for her, pointing out that she was just expressing a truth that many celebrities deal with. Unfortunately, this is not a new discussion. Ageism in K-pop has long been a controversial topic, with many talented idols facing reduced opportunities simply because of their age.