In the past, winning first place on a Korean music show was a joyful moment for K-pop idols—a sign of fan support and artistic recognition. But today, for many rookie groups, it has become something else: a source of fear.
Instead of a fun encore stage with fan-service performances or playful antics, idols now face intense scrutiny. The moment they win, they’re expected to sing live—perfectly—while videos of their encore are immediately spread across online communities and dissected by fans and critics alike.
Park Song-ah, a pop culture critic, points to changing fan culture:
“Fans now consume every moment as content. Even encore stages must meet the same standards of perfection as official performances,” she explains.
Companies are noticing this pressure, too. One insider shared that while encores used to be planned like events, they’re now approached with anxiety, especially when it comes to singing ability.
What was once a reward has now become a test.
And for newer groups with fragile reputations, a single vocal mistake could mean long-term damage.
Korean Reaction: “Singing Isn’t Optional”
Korean netizens were overwhelmingly harsh in their responses, emphasizing that being able to sing live is not a bonus—it’s the bare minimum.
Top Korean Comments (Source : Nate)
“Not being able to sing is what’s abnormal.” (👍 635 / 👎 5)
“Encore is literally just standing still and singing what you already recorded. What’s the problem?” (👍 575 / 👎 6)
“How is this different from a baseball player being scared of throwing the ball at a tournament?” (👍 477 / 👎 3)
“If you can’t sing your own song, are you even a singer?” (👍 52)
“It’s only a few seconds—why is that so hard?” (👍 49 / 👎 1)
“If you don’t have the skills, don’t debut.” (👍 43 / 👎 1)
“Idols should be good at what they’re assigned. Looks can’t carry everything.” (👍 38)
“There are so many amazing vocalists who never even get a No.1… being bad at live is not normal.” (👍 30)
Overall, Korean audiences seem to agree: You don’t deserve the spotlight if you can’t perform live.
Global Response: “Standards or Toxicity?”
International fans echoed some of the same frustrations, but their focus was broader: on toxic fan expectations, industry priorities, and the impact on real talent.
Top Global Comments (Source : allkpop)
“It’s not shocking to expect singers to sing live.” (👍 46 / 👎 5)
“Bottom line: fans are toxic and labels suck up to them. Stop debuting idols based on visuals and start choosing real vocalists.” (👍 19 / 👎 1)
“So they’re scared because this shows who can really sing. My faves? No problem.” (👍 14 / 👎 4)
“If you can’t sing your own talk-singing song while standing still, you SHOULD be criticized. Where are the actual vocalists?” (👍 11)
“We used to enjoy music with our hearts. Now everyone online thinks they’re a vocal coach.” (👍 11 / 👎 1)
“Some idols debuted thinking they could hide weak vocals forever. Sorry, it doesn’t work anymore.” (👍 9 / 👎 1)
“Back in 1st & 2nd gen, even struggling idols at least tried to sing live. Now it’s all backtracks.” (👍 9)
“Maybe stop debuting underage dancers from art schools and start debuting actual singers.” (👍 7)
While some defended fair expectations, others criticized an industry that prioritizes visuals over skill—and fans who tear down idols for not meeting unrealistic standards.
Cultural Takeaway: Two Views on What It Means to “Deserve the Stage”
In Korea, the idol system prizes perfection. Years of training are expected to result in flawless performances—even during encores. For many Korean fans, a live encore is not just a celebration, but a test of whether an idol truly “deserves” their success. A shaky note can be seen as a lack of professionalism, not just a moment of nervousness.
By contrast, international fans often value emotional connection over technical perfection. Mistakes during live performances are seen as natural—even charming. A wobbly encore might spark empathy rather than judgment.
This difference reflects how each culture defines the role of a performer.
In Korea, mastery earns admiration. Globally, humanity earns loyalty.
As K-pop expands, the pressure to satisfy both views grows heavier—especially for rookie groups still trying to prove they belong on the stage at all.