The tough world of rookie idols: Small agencies lose $4,000 per music show performance

Our favorite idols are often seen enjoying a luxurious life; traveling all over the world, riding fancy cars, wearing high fashion brands, buying buildings, and more. However, these successful idols are only a�select few of the bunch. Not only do you need talent but also great financial investment by an agency to reach the top.�

According to reps from entertainment agencies, producing an idol group is�like�"playing a lottery with a better chance of winning." Munhwa Ilbo�states that out of 10 idol groups, only 2 survive. Despite the low chance of "winning the lottery", many entertainment�agencies take big risks and even financial loss in the hopes of becoming the top 2 out of the 10.�

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It's revealed that rookie idols get paid about�300,000 KRW (275 USD) to 500,000 KRW (458 USD) per music show performance. However, an entertainment agency faces a financial loss of about�3,000,000 KRW (2,749 USD) to 5,000,000 (4,581 USD) per rookie idol's music show appearance after counting the costs for stage outfits, hair, makeup, food, transportation, and more.�

A CEO of a medium-sized entertainment agency explained, "You can expect to have about�10,000,000 KRW (9,162 USD) financial loss per week to have the rookie group perform on all 3 major music shows."�

With the recent news about the tragic suicide of Hero Planet's�CEO, the "dark side" of the entertainment industry is coming to light. On the other hand, idol groups from small agencies such as G-Friend�and BTS, are also gaining attention and praise for making their way up to the top from the bottom.�

Comments stated, "I hope kids don't easily dream of becoming an idol after just watching the successful ones... TT You need to meet a good agency�and survive the tough trainee days... It's a bloody competition", "It's a lottery with a better chance of winning, indeed", "BTS had trouble in the beginning when they first debuted but they really made it with their talent. You can't deny that agencies play a�huge role on rookie idols."