K-pop idols try to maintain a perfect image by hiding their emotions, but sometimes they break down during a live stream, indicating something serious. Their companies often restrain them from acting out of character, but this isn't always possible. The industry's unfair practices and harsh conditions often lead to emotional distress, which is difficult to hide. Fans appreciate transparency and desire to see the human side of their idols, but this can be difficult given the industry's rigorous standards. K-pop culture needs to address this problem, or else the mental health of its artists will continue to suffer. Let's take a look at some idols who broke down during live streaming events!
1. Jeon Jungkook
BTS’s Jungkook teared up during a Weverse Live stream on March 14, but he explained his condition to fans. By the end of his live stream, he went quiet and sat there looking at the screen, presumably reading ARMYs’ comments. Jungkook maybe is a sensitive person, he also felt lonely without the other BTS members.
So, when some of his fans noticed that he appeared to be tearing up, they started posting comments reassuring him and asking him, "Why are you crying?". Jungkook rapidly explained that he wasn't crying but reading comments, when he noticed that ARMYs started writing and asking him about the reason behind his sadness.
"Why am I crying all of a sudden??"
"I'm fine I said"
"Why are you telling me not to cry? I was just reading the comments."
He then added that because of his rhinitis, he gets a runny nose when he drinks alcohol, which is why he appeared to be crying.
"It's because I get a runny nose when I get drunk. Because I have rhinitis."
2. Kim Taehyung
BTS member Taehyung spoke emotionally about his siblings, almost breaking down when mentioning his younger brother.
“Siblings don't talk?
The last time my younger brother contacted me was…
Never mind
Taehyung expressed his love for his siblings and how they are his greatest source of strength and support. The touching moment left fans in awe of his heartfelt confession and relatable family struggles.
3. BTS's Jin
During a live stream in 2019, BTS member Jin revealed that his cherished sugar glider Odeng had passed away. The singer was visibly emotional when talking about Odeng and struggled to speak without breaking down in tears. The news of Odeng's death saddened many BTS fans, who had grown fond of the adorable pet through Jin's social media posts.
4. Jeongyeon (Twice)
Overwhelmed by their hectic work schedule and the dedication of her Twice bandmates, Jeongyeon found herself shedding tears. It was a sobering reminder of the immense effort and sacrifice that goes into being an idol. The grueling hours of practice, countless performances, and constant pressure to deliver the best performance possible can take a toll on anyone. Still, amidst the exhaustion and tears, she knew that it was all worth it in the end, knowing that they were doing what they loved and bringing joy to their fans.
“They all worked really hard, and they’re the ones who gave me strength.
We’re in the middle of a Japanese arena tour, but when we go back to Korea, we have to film a Korean comeback music video, take album photos, as well as many other things.
I want to give them strength, but I’m not able to, which I’m sorry about, and I want to always smile in front of our fans, but it’s hard to hide my hardship, and I’m sorry about that as well.
When we were filming a music video, I proposed filming a choreography video for our fans, but that gave my fellow members a hard time, and I’m really sorry about that.”
5. Sulli
Sulli, who debuted as a member of the K-pop group f(x) in 2009, returned as a solo artist in June with the single “Goblin”, her Instagram Live vids surfaced after her death!
In June 2018, fans worried when Sulli did a shocking live stream of herself showing up silent and also cried for 10 minutes on an Instagram Live video. Sulli, whose real name is Choi Jin Ri, was set up dead in her home afternoon on Monday. After that, the police suspect that she killed herself. The videos and live broadcasts on Instagram showed her depression and grief before her death.
Here's what she said her before her death:
“Why are you saying bad things about me?” she then asks. “What did I do to deserve this?”
- Sulli
“I’m not a bad person. I’m sorry,”
- Sulli
6. Goo Hara
Following the tragic passing of Sulli, Goo Hara took to Instagram Live to express her sorrow and regret. The emotional video shows Goo Hara crying as she apologizes for not being there to say goodbye to her friend. She spoke about the pain that comes with losing someone and the importance of always being there for each other. The heart-wrenching video is a powerful reminder of the bond that exists between friends and the impact that loss can have on those left behind.
Sulli, I’m sorry I can’t go (to your funeral) because I am in Japan.
I’m sorry that I had no other choice but to greet you like this.
Live well up there and do everything that you wanted to do.
I will live hard and work hard for you.
Everyone, Sulli and I were really close, we lived like a real set of sisters.
In return, I wanted to say something to Sulli, so I turned on this live broadcast.
I’m sorry. I’m sorry.
Everyone, please don’t worry. Goodbye, Sulli.
- Goo Hara
She kept on apologizing to Sulli during her broadcast.
A month later, Goo Hara, was also found dead in her home. Both deaths have raised concerns about the intense pressures placed on South Korean celebrities, as well as the online harassment and cyberbullying many of them face. The tragedies have sparked renewed calls for mental health support for K-pop artists.
7. Sunmi (Soloist)
On February 11, Sunmi did a live broadcast on Naver’s V Live where she started the broadcast with a tired voice saying, “I just came back from practice”, then chatted with her fans, by sharing how she had been spending her days and asked how her fans were doing.
She suddenly started crying and didn’t explain the reason for her tear, but she confessed, “I don’t cry very often” as she tried very hard to hold back her tears and sadness. It was clear that she didn’t want to worry her fans with her sudden breakdown.
At the end of her live broadcast, Sunmi tried very hard to smile with her swollen eyes and ended her broadcast.
What especially worried her fans is the fact that she uploaded a photo of a handful of pills in an Instagram post just a few days earlier.
So what do you guys think about the emotions going through these idols? What do you think we as fans can help them feel better and be more positive? Let us know in the comments below!
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