On February 10th, an old report from a North Korean media outlet criticizing the treatment of South Korean idol groups like BTS and BLACKPINK resurfaced and caught Korean netizens' attention. 

Originally published by North Korean media Arirang Meahri in 2021, the report claimed BTS and BLACKPINK are treated like "slaves" by their management companies in South Korea. The report further claimed that these K-pop groups are subjected to exploitation and mistreatment, painting a distorted picture of the reality faced by the internationally acclaimed artists. 

"Many teenage singers, including BTS and BLACKPINK, are being trained to become pop singers at a young age from elementary and middle school by signing exclusive contracts with SM Entertainment and other big corporates."

The report also alleged that the companies are forcing idol singers to undergo grueling training by shutting them off from the outside world, only letting them sleep for two to three hours a night, and taking most of their earnings to pay for their training.

"As a result of the harsh training process, where they are subjected to severe humiliation and suffering, they are basically like living in a prison without bars. In the case of young female singers, they are forced to perform for politicians and businessmen so many of them have committed suicide, leaving suicide notes that they no longer want to live." 

Korean netizens have responded with disbelief to North Korea's claims about idol groups including BTS and BLACKPINK. Some of the comments are: 

"What kind of slave earns hundreds and billions of dollars?"

"Don't 'slave artists' only exist in North Korea?"

"Well, if they are the slaves, I want to be a slave too lmao"

"The impact and influence of K-pop must be great if they now have to fabricate lies for their propaganda."

"I think the combined wealth of BTS and BLACKPINK may be greater than the whole GDP of North Korea."

"If they are slaves, am I... am I the livestock? What am I lol"

"BTS and BLACKPINK must be also well known in North Korea lol"

"Can I also be a slave who earns billions of dollars?"

"lol nowadays celebrities are the new royalties. Tf do you mean."

"Maybe North Koreans do believe this because all their artists and athletes are under the government's control."

"Please, I want to be a slave so I can buy a house with cash."