BLACKPINK's Rosé Opens Up About the Challenges of Being a K-Pop Idol in an Emotional Interview with The New York Times
In an interview with The New York Times published on November 23 (local time), BLACKPINK's Rosé shed light on the grueling process of becoming a K-pop idol and the online harassment faced by female artists, bringing her to tears during the conversation.
Rosé shared her thoughts on releasing her first solo full-length album, saying, "It feels like I've been waiting my entire life to release this album." She continued, "I grew up listening to the music of many female artists. I could relate to their music, and they helped me get through tough times."
She admitted that while she dreamed of releasing an album one day, she never thought it would become a reality. "When I first started this process last year, I doubted myself a lot," she confessed.
Rosé also reflected on the emotional challenges she faced, saying, "I didn't fully understand the loneliness I would have to endure. It was so shocking that it almost became traumatic, but I survived."
When asked if she had experienced online harassment as a female artist, Rosé became visibly emotional, shedding tears in response.
When questioned about the most difficult aspect of her journey, she pointed to the "fan culture in K-pop." Rosé explained, "We are always trained to present ourselves in a perfect way, even when interacting with fans online."
Born to Korean immigrant parents in New Zealand, Rosé moved to Australia at the age of eight. In 2012, at the age of 15, she began her life as a trainee in South Korea.
Recalling her rigorous training days, Rosé said, "I had to wake up at 9:30 a.m. and head to a shared dance practice room. I had vocal, dance, and language lessons, and training ended at 2 a.m. I often stayed behind to practice alone because I wanted the room to myself. I repeated this every single day."
Rosé's candid interview sheds light on the mental and emotional toll of the K-pop industry, highlighting both her resilience and the broader challenges faced by female artists in the field.
