K-Pop Ex-Idol Hyogyeong Exposes Shocking ‘Sugar Daddy’ Culture: What You Need to Know

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[YouTube ‘HYOKEY’ capture][YouTube ‘HYOKEY’ capture]

Hyokyung, a former member of the girl group Ariaz, said the K-pop industry includes so-called “sugar daddies”—individuals who provide financial support in exchange for relationships. She emphasized that she was not speaking from personal experience and that her former agency was not implicated.Last month, Hyokyung uploaded a video to her YouTube channel “HYOKEY” titled “As a former K-pop idol, I’ll talk about sugar daddies.” She said she agonized over whether to speak publicly but decided to do so to help prevent similar harm to others.Hyokyung alleged that at one company a member was dating the company’s much older CEO. Despite what Hyokyung described as limited talent, that member reportedly received the most parts and was consistently placed at center. Rumors about the relationship, she said, circulated throughout the industry and eventually reached her.She warned that these dynamics are not limited to established idols; trainees and novice actors are also vulnerable. Hyokyung recounted a friend who was distraught after failing to make a trainee roster. A few days later, a senior company official asked to meet with her. According to Hyokyung, the man ordered drinks and began acting inappropriately, prompting the friend to call her parents and leave. After that incident, the friend abandoned her pursuit of becoming an idol.Hyokyung also described an experience from her own transition to acting after her group disbanded. As a rookie, she said she was cast in a lead role whose script included a shower scene showing a tattoo on her back. She refused, telling producers she had not pursued acting to perform such a scene.She argued that exploitation is enabled by the precarious financial position of unknown idols and trainees, who often lack stable income and are therefore susceptible to coercion.After the video spread and generated controversy, Hyokyung posted an additional clarification, saying the “sugar daddy” comment was only a brief part of the video and that her former agency was not involved.Hyokyung first gained attention when she finished eighth on JTBC’s 2018 audition program Mix Nine. She later debuted with the six-member group Ariaz, which ended activities after three years.#sugardaddy #Kpop #idol #HyokyungYonhap News TV inquiries and tips: KakaoTalk/LINE jebo23, Lee Junheum (humi@yna.co.kr)