A new “idol union” may launch soon to protect the rights of K-pop idols and other pop culture workers. The group plans to improve working conditions and focus on mental health and human rights. Many in the industry are watching closely to see how this could change the idol system.
The Idol Union Preparatory Committee said it submitted a report to the Seongnam branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor in September. In mid-October, it also provided extra documents that the ministry requested to prove that the idols should be treated as workers. The committee expects to receive official approval as early as this month.
Seo Min Seon, a research fellow at the Democratic Party’s Youth Policy Research Institute, is leading the initiative. Seo says that around ten members — including active idols — have already joined. More are expected to participate once the union is officially approved.
The committee also submitted an official request to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. It asked for a survey on how entertainment companies handle idols’ mental health and respond to malicious online comments. The group wants the ministry to check if agencies take proper action — such as filing lawsuits, deleting harmful posts, or offering legal support to victims.
They also asked each agency to confirm whether they have a real mental health manual in place. This includes steps like notifying guardians in emergencies, offering medical help, and keeping counseling records. If the manuals only exist on paper, the committee urged the ministry to create a national standard and make it mandatory.
The committee pointed out that idols face many risks. These include overwork, injuries, and mental health struggles caused by long training and busy schedules. Some agencies also control idols’ personal lives too strictly — such as dating, medical access, and social interactions — which can lead to mental isolation.
The group also criticized the current legal definition of artists. Under existing contracts, idols are seen as “service providers,” not workers. This means they are often excluded from protections like industrial accident insurance and workplace safety laws. The committee asked for new legal guidelines to recognize idols as workers who deserve full labor rights.
They also filed petitions to cancel HYBE’s “Top Company” certification and asked the Copyright Protection Agency to push for psychological support systems in all agencies.
The committee said many idols still lack insurance and protection from bullying at work. It is also considering filing a formal complaint over an agency’s failure to report an idol’s death to the Labor Ministry. They called it a possible “cover-up.” The new union, if approved, could finally give idols a stronger voice in their industry.
