EN brief: 7년 동안 정산 0원…청춘 다 바친 무명 남자 아이돌 "데뷔하면 끝일 줄" (culture) + 1 glossary term.
Summary
A recent video from the YouTube channel 'Human Story' has sparked discussion regarding the financial struggles of lesser-known K-pop groups. Members of the boy group DKB shared that despite being active for seven years, they have received zero settlement income.
The leader, D1, noted that the group debuted at a relatively late age compared to industry giants like BTS. While they have dedicated their entire youth to the dream of being idols, the financial return has been non-existent, highlighting the stark divide between top-tier stars and 'nugu' (unknown) groups.
Despite the lack of pay, the members continue to work hard, with some members like E-Chan producing over 20 songs to earn small incentives through royalties. However, as they reach their 30s, the fear of an uncertain future and the responsibility of supporting themselves and their families weigh heavily on them.
The members expressed that their fans are the primary reason they haven't given up. They described the thrill of standing on stage and hearing cheers as a unique pride that keeps them going through years of financial hardship.
In the context of the K-pop industry, 정산 (jeongsan) refers to the financial settlement or calculation of earnings. For most idols, this happens periodically after the agency deducts all promotional and training expenses. If the expenses exceed the revenue, the idol receives 0 won, which is a common occurrence for groups that haven't had a major hit.
The members of DKB recently appeared on 'Human Story' in an episode titled "7 Idols Living Hard for a Dream with 0 Won Income for 7 Years." During the interview, they opened up about the grueling reality of the idol industry. Junseo, born in 2001, remarked that he sacrificed his entire youth, spending half of his 20s as an idol. He mentioned that while he loves the job and the adrenaline of the stage, the financial side is a different story.
Leader D1 shared his journey from Sokcho, where he practiced dancing in front of glass windows at night because there were no proper academies or mirrors. He admitted that he once believed debuting was the finish line, only to realize it was actually just the beginning of a much harder struggle. Their debut coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning they performed for years without a live audience, making their first encounter with fans even more unforgettable.
Regarding their income, the members explained that their main potential source is performances, but the only direct money they see comes from copyright royalties. E-Chan, who is heavily involved in songwriting and production, revealed he has worked on about 23 tracks. While these provide small incentives, they are not enough to constitute a living wage.
E-Chan confessed to feeling deep anxiety about the future now that he has turned 30. He explained that while he ran toward music in his 20s out of pure passion, the 30s bring a sense of duty to protect his family and himself. He described the years of waiting for a breakthrough as "fearful" but emphasized that he continues to work desperately because of the fans who support him.
Context
The K-pop 'Settlement' (Jeongsan) system usually requires idols to pay back trainee debts (housing, lessons, food) before they receive any profit.
DKB is managed by Brave Entertainment, the agency founded by famous producer Brave Brothers, known for hits by Sistar and Brave Girls.
The term 'nugu' is often used by international fans to describe groups that have not yet achieved mainstream domestic success in Korea.
jeongsan
이번 달에 드디어 첫 정산을 받았어요.ibeon dare deudieo cheot jeongsaneul badasseoyo. — I finally received my first financial settlement this month.
7년 동안 활동했지만 정산은 0원이었대요.7nyeon doan hwaldonghaetjiman jeongsaneun 0wonieotdaeyo. — They said they were active for 7 years but the settlement was 0 won.
아직 정산을 못 받아서 돈이 없어요.
ajik jeongsaneul mot badaseo doni eopseoyo.
I haven't received my settlement yet, so I don't have money.
우리 그룹은 데뷔 3년 만에 첫 정산을 했어.
uri geurubeun debwi 3nyeon mane cheot jeongsaneul haesseo.
Our group had our first settlement three years after debut.
