The glitz and glamour of the Korean entertainment industry - particularly the K-pop industry - have captivated the world through the phenomenon known as the "Hallyu Wave," leading many young people to aspire to become K-pop idols.

However, a darker truth is gradually coming to light behind the scenes. Influencer Bianca Zhou, who shares her insights with a sizable online social media following, recently shed light on the hidden struggles faced by aspiring K-pop trainees. 

Bianca Zhou is an influencer/ TikToker, and she predominately uses her platform to talk about being a K-pop trainee and some of the insider secrets.

In one of her videos, she spoke about some of the idols who are unable to debut despite having the talent and ability. In the video titled "5 reasons why some trainees never debut," the influencer explained, "A person with a lot of sponsorship money comes in and takes their spot. This is the worst because it's largely random. But if a really rich trainee comes in who's generally talented and kind of good-looking, then the company might take that trainee over another trainee who has been at the company for a long time just because that person has the funds to back up their debut."

She added in the caption, "The entertainment industry is about connections, and if that trainee is involved in a powerful social circle, then the company will notice." 

While there has been more global attention to the K-pop industry, bringing young aspiring artists to Korea, there are testimonies that expose the dark side of the industry that dishearten these young talents.

Meanwhile, former GWSN member Miya also shared her experiences being a K-pop idol. She claimed it felt like being in jail while training with the Korean entertainment company. She told a Japanese newspaper that the agency had taken her money, free time, and even her cell phone. She elaborated that she was barely able to contact her family and was unable to eat properly due to the heavy dieting requirements.