Why K-Pop Legend Hyori Lee Feels Bad for Young Idol Groups
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![Carl Samson](https://nextshark.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/CARLSAMSON_NEXTSHARK.jpg?width=128&auto_optimize=medium&quality=85)
By Carl Samson
Hyori Lee, who just returned after a long hiatus, has openly expressed that she feels bad for today’s K-Pop groups.
Hyori, dubbed as the “Queen of K-Pop” and the “Nation’s Fairy,” belongs to the so-called first generation of idols—artists recognized as essentially the beginning of K-Pop, debuting in the 90s. She launched her career as part of the girl group Fin.K.L, which debuted in 1998 under DSP Media.
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In a June 29 appearance on JTBC Newsroom, Hyori explained (via allkpop):
“I feel bad when I see junior idol groups. The competition wasn’t as fierce back in our day. Since the internet and social media wasn’t as developed back then, there was a lot more freedom. Idols nowadays don’t have a place to hide, people see every little thing that they do, and the competition is a lot fiercer.”
Anyone who witnessed the evolution of K-Pop—those who hopped on the bandwagon early and are still riding it—would agree.
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Hyori went on:
“For example, when I go to the hair salon the idols’ faces look very dark compared to their bright happy faces on broadcast, and they often appear down and lack energy… They also train for a very long time and get criticized and then they receive even more criticism after they debut so I feel bad for the idol groups.”
Needless to say, the Queen has every right to feel this way.
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Hyori will release “Black,” her 6th studio album, next month. In the meantime, patient fans can listen to her new track “Seoul”:
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