JYP Entertainment’s NiziU recently drew significant attention and sparked a heated discussion among Korean netizens after revealing the demanding schedule they endured during their Korean debut. Formed through the survival audition program Nizi Project, a collaboration between JYP Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment, NiziU made their Japanese debut in December 2020 and entered the Korean market with a Korean album in October 2023.
During a recent appearance on Japan’s Fuji TV variety show Pokapoka, NiziU members Nina, Mako, Miihi, and Rio opened up about their intense promotional schedule in Korea. They described an exhausting daily routine, starting with waking up at 2 AM, followed by hair and makeup at a salon by 2:20 AM. They would then head to the broadcast station by 6:45 AM for preparations and a performance slated for 7:30 AM. Their packed schedule included rehearsals, dance challenge videos with other artists, a live broadcast at 6 PM, and a fan signing event before finally returning to their dorms around 10 PM. Rio noted that this rigorous routine could stretch for up to two weeks, leaving them only brief moments to catch some sleep.
These revelations, shared by Korean media outlet Sports Trends, have stirred controversy on the popular community site TheQoo. Reactions among Korean netizens have been mixed, with some expressing fatigue over stars complaining about their hectic schedules, arguing that such conditions are an unavoidable part of participating in Korea’s numerous music shows.
Netizens’ Responses:
“Korea has so many music shows; it’s inevitable to have such a schedule.”
“Did they even have such a schedule? I thought they stayed in their dorms because they weren’t popular.”
“These comments seem harsh. The demanding schedules of Korean music shows have been mentioned countless times.”
“They must cram everything into a short trip, so some sarcasm is expected.”
“Is there a need to be so sarcastic about the situation?”
“Appearing on just one Korean music show involves starting early in the morning.”
“Why are these idols so confident about their complaints?”
“This kind of schedule is standard when idols make a comeback. Why the fuss?”
“Japan doesn’t seem to have as many music shows or content when idols make a comeback.”
“It’s always like this for music show appearances. The harshness is just part of the schedule.”
NiziU’s candid discussion about their demanding schedules has highlighted the intense pressures faced by idols in Korea. While some netizens sympathize with the group’s challenges, others view their comments as an over-exaggeration of what they consider to be a standard industry practice. This debate underscores the broader conversation about the rigorous demands placed on performers in the competitive world of K-Pop.
