'Real life Squid Game': Kim Sae-ron's death exposes Korea's celebrity culture
Actress Kim Sae-ron's death in an apparent suicide has renewed criticism of South Korea's entertainment industry, which churns out stars but also subjects them to immense pressure and scrutiny.
Kim - who was found dead aged 24 at her home in Seoul on Sunday - had been bombarded with negative press coverage and hate online after a drink-driving conviction in 2022. Police have not provided further details about her death.
Experts found the circumstances leading to it depressingly familiar. Other celebrities also ended up taking their lives after careers upended by cyberbullying.
As Kim was laid to rest on Wednesday, analysts say they are not optimistic her death will lead to meaningful change.
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17 replies
A friend of mine has been following Kpop groups for a long while now, and he endlessly describes what happens in that industry as "extremely dark cyberpunk." He has gone as far as loosely basing Cyberpunk campaigns based on the stuff he has read about what's been happening in the Kpop industry.
This sadly feels very indicative of the world of Korean stars.
I’ve visited the country a couple times; fantastic food, friendly people, but holy fuck SK has SUPER aggressive late-stage capitalism disease. It’s just insane levels of consumerism, constantly. And this is coming from an American.
Yeah, literally cyberpunk 2077
Hey, I’m currently writing a cyber/solar punk novel. Can you tell me more? Do you have any links to the more Korean-cyberpunk stories you’ve heard?
"Hey chief, what do we know about Korea?"
Squid. Game.
Lmao ikr. This literally has nothing to do with Squid Game except maybe capitalism.
Ah yes, capitalism. The greatest squid game of them all. Too bad this checks notes 24 year old couldn't hack it.
Sorry, this came out a bit bleaker than intended, but maybe that's where we're going.
Anybody who even remotely knows about Korean pop-idol culture should've already figured this out by now. My teenage daughter is super into kpop. It wasn't hard to figure out.
Similar issue in Japan, Taiwan, China, and more. I remember reading about an idol fanbase going ballistic when their favourite weather girl got a boyfriend.
The whole idol industry is incredibly toxic. It turns parasocialization into a ruthlessly monetized business.
Perfect Blue gave a great insight into the kinds of creeps that pour money into this industry.
I think we made a wrong turn when we stopped thinking less of grown men who are obsessed with drawings of little girls.
Excuse me, but I had nothing whatsoever to do with this.
Hadn’t thought to suspect you, but thou dost protest too much
I don't play games.
Okay, I do play games, but this was not one of mine!
Literally cyberpunk 2077
Maybe I didn't understand the game but I don't see the relation?
Basically just a late stage capitalist hellscape where people and corps are insanely invasive and disgustingly tapped in at all times, I’m assuming?
Can someone explain the cyberpunk 2077 angle for me? Ive never played.
It sounds like the entertainment industry over there doesn't have social media managers who manage the accounts of their stars?