A new law has been created to protect young people who are training to be idols, as well as those who decide to stop their training. This law recognizes that being an idol trainee can come with unique challenges.

The Seoul Metropolitan Council shared on January 11 that Counselor Kim Gyu Nam proposed the 'Ordinance on the Protection and Support of the Rights of Youth Cultural and Artistic Persons in Seoul.' This proposal was approved during their 321st regular session in December 2023.

The city council noted that as of September 2023, 82.3% (3,930 out of 4,774) of entertainment agencies in Korea are based in Seoul. This makes Seoul a major hub for discovering, training, and managing idols. However, there hasn't been enough legal support to protect the rights of idol trainees in this environment.

The new law aims to prevent physical and mental health issues among young trainees, like being forced to lose weight or undergo cosmetic procedures. It includes measures like psychological exams and counseling to help with these issues.

For trainees who don't debut or whose contracts end, the law also offers career counseling to help them find new career paths.

Historically, there have been instances where agencies and relevant stakeholders led initiatives related to weight management for idol trainees and debut groups.

In 2015, AOA member Seolhyun appeared on KBS 2TV's 'Happy Together 3' and opened up about the pressures she faced in the entertainment industry. Despite being 167cm (5'6") tall, her agency insisted she maintain a weight of 48kg (105.6 lbs). Born in 1995, Seolhyun debuted in an idol group in 2012. She spoke candidly about the challenges of following a strict diet, even considering quitting the entertainment industry at one point.

Additionally, many young idol singers have come forward about their struggles with depression caused by extreme dieting. This includes taking drastic steps like avoiding water to manage their weight.

An entertainment industry insider addressed these issues, stating that for idol groups, visual appeal is just as important as singing talent. This means that weight management is a common practice across the industry and is not limited to girl groups or certain agencies. Some agencies even set specific weight targets for their idols' debut.

Despite this, the insider acknowledged the complex nature of these issues from the agencies' perspective. They pointed out that some agencies are deeply committed to their idols' success and enforce these control policies with the best intentions.

In light of this ordinance, Councilor Kim Gyu-nam emphasized, "While Korean cultural content gains global recognition through the K-pop phenomenon, the challenges and uncertainties faced by young trainees until they become prominent figures in the idol industry are fundamentally the responsibility of the individual trainees." He added, "To ensure the protection of the rights of teenage idol trainees, the city of Seoul will continue various support projects at the municipal level, facilitating a stable growth period for these trainees."