When Ryu Sera made her debut with K-pop girlband Nine Muses, the years of intense training and ruthless competition seemed worthwhile, her dreams of stardom finally coming true.
A few top 10 singles followed, but within four years she had been cast on the K-pop scrapheap, sacked by her management company as it reshuffled the band's line-up.
An attempted solo career foundered, she was left in debt, battling depression and contemplating suicide.
But six years after her dismissal, she has been given a second chance on a groundbreaking new television show for failed and former idols -- and is speaking out against a structure that consumes young hopefuls with only a tiny minority surviving to stardom.
"The K-pop industry has a factory-like mass-production system," she told AFP.
K-pop is the latest and biggest instance of the so-called Korean Wave, as the South's popular culture gains overseas recognition -- epitomised by the global success of boyband BTS, who topped the US Billboard singles chart earlier this year.
The phenomenon earns billions of dollars for the world's 12th largest economy and scores of groups are launched each year to try to capture a slice of the pie.
Unlike many groups elsewhere, K-pop bands are not normally formed by the members themselves who then try to secure a record deal, but are instead usually assembled by their managing agencies.
They put the members through intensive training programmes and control everything from their music and lyrics to their looks and many aspects of their daily lives.
But most acts quickly disappear, leaving barely a trace on the score of musical history.
'Like an addict'
Ryu was 22 when she passed an audition to become a trainee with Star Empire, a medium-sized agency in Seoul.
She was among 40 to 50 contenders for a place in Nine Muses.
"It was an endless contest with tests every week, and those who ranked bottom on dancing, singing skills and looks were kicked out."
At first, she often scored poorly for dancing and singing, but she "practised like an addict", she said.
A year later she was chosen to be Nine Muses' lead singer.
Even after their debut, there was no let-up in the regimen, and she was subjected to constant reviews, often critical, of her appearance.
"Managers would say things like 'Why are you so fat?'... because I did not fall into their category of elegant, sexy women," she said.
"I doubt they are even aware that they hurt me with their words."
But she complied with their demands: "When they told me to cut my hair, I did... There was an atmosphere that we should be grateful for being given a chance to become idols."
When her contract came up for renewal, she demanded that the Nine Muses members take part in every concept meeting, that they would have control over what clothes they wore, and no more members would be replaced.
The producers did not offer her a new deal.
"There are so many trainees, so many artists, so many young people that want to get into this industry," she said.
"So, they sometimes consider us replaceable products."
A Star Empire representative told AFP the firm and Ryu had been "unable to agree on new contract terms", adding: "We wish her all the best."
Illness and shame
In an attempt to build a solo career, Ryu borrowed money to produce her own albums and put on concerts, but without the backing of a major agency none of them generated a profit.
"I felt like I had accomplished nothing and was being forgotten," she said.
South Korea is an intensely competitive society and has an unusually high suicide rate, with recent celebrity deaths including singers Goo Hara and Sulli, both of whom had been subjected to vicious cyber-bullying, and Kim Jong-hyun of the boyband Shinee.
Ryu also considered killing herself.
"There are very, very famous people that chose to end their lives," she said.
"When I was really depressed I thought about the worst thing."
She has been on medication since she was diagnosed with depression last year.
Countless teenagers flock to entertainment agencies aspiring to become stars but no-one looks after those who do not make the cut, she said, nor those who debut but are replaced soon afterwards by younger rivals.
"In the K-pop industry, we don't take mental health seriously," she added.
"When you are mentally ill, you immediately feel ashamed."
'Miss Back'
The business uses a "high-risk, high-return" formula that generates "countless also-rans" in the process, said cultural commentator Jung Ho-jai.
"Former idols and trainees take the brunt of their failure in the market," he added.
"Someone needs to speak up about the side effects of this industry. Now Ryu is doing just that."
More than a decade since passing the Star Empire audition, Ryu is competing again in a new television show, "Miss Back".
Hosted by K-pop queen Baek Ji-young, who has eight studio albums under her belt in a career still going strong after 21 years, it offers former female idols a new showcase -- some who never made it and others who were once famous but then faded away.
Around 200 were interviewed for only seven slots on the programme.
But among the chosen few, no-one will be eliminated.
Each week, all seven perform the same song, and the one the judges score highest is released as a single, with the performer sharing in the profits.
In the process, the cast members share the pains and struggles they endured in the hidden shadows of the glamorous industry.
And there will be no overall winner.
Ryu said: "This programme is like therapy for wounded soldiers."
AFP RELAXNEWS
Wed Nov 25 2020
South Korean singer Ryu Sera (L) dancing with other competitors during a recording of a television show "Miss Back" in Seoul - AFP
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.