VICE Investigates' 'K-POP Machine' will go beyond glamorous facade to look at the struggle and drug-trafficking in Korean music industry
The Hulu original titled 'Vice Investigates' is a collection of "stories told through a distinct reporting lens, immersive narratives and fresh perspectives on the important — and sometimes controversial — issues defining today’s culture." These stories are told by award-winning producers and correspondents at VICE News and the latest episode delves into the Korean music industry or as it is popularly referred to today, K-Pop.
2019 has been the year that saw the Korean entertainment industry receive huge global admiration and attention. From BTS winning at the Billboard Music Awards to shows such as 'Memories of Alhambra', 'Romance is a Bonus Book' and 'Kingdom' getting huge admiration, things looked great.
However, it is not all about the art and glamor and that is exactly what this Hulu exclusive will shed light on. The promo of the episode features different people reveal different sides of the Korean pop industry.
One of them explains how, "All you see is smiling on-stage, it's really not what it seems." We see how many young people in the country are interested in becoming an idol in their country.
The hard work that they put in, the hours of work that goes into making a singer who he or she is, to the kind of preparation one has to make to even enter the scene is a struggle. It is this struggle that the episode will concentrate on.
There is also the question of pressure to be a part of the K-Pop system and possibly a trainee says in the promo, "There is this perception that K-pop artistes are perfect." However, if we dig a little deeper, there are a lot of problems within the industry and this year saw one of the biggest scandals break out in the country called the 'Burning Sun Scandal'.
The reportage also delves into this aspect of the industry where "There is embezzlement. There is possible prostitution and drug trafficking." When all of this began to gain the attention of global audiences as well, and the truth behind the perception of perfection started to surface, the fantasy did come apart and the promo indicates that the theme of the episode is this coming apart.
The other episodes are about how Russia's crackdown on hip-hop backfired, the Middle East’s ever-changing geopolitical landscape, and the reality behind the Amazon fire. The episode titled 'K-POP Machine' drops on Hulu December 6.
