LIFE OF A K-POP IDOL HOPEFUL
Now that it has been almost a month since Cassa moved to South Korea, I caught up with her and her mother again through the academy via text messaging to find out what life is like for her there.
It sounds like her days are a whirlwind of discipline and discovery.
While she may have left school in Singapore, academic pursuits aren’t entirely off the table.
Last Monday (March 4), Cassa began her Grade 1 studies at a Korean performing arts high school where classes are conducted in Korean, balancing school with the intense demands of her training. In South Korea, Grade 1 in high school is equivalent to Singapore’s Secondary 4.
On school days, she is up early, heading to class at 9am before spending her afternoons and evenings at SM Universe, where she spends hours doing vocal and dance training.
There are no breaks on weekends either. She goes back to the academy, taking more lessons and polishing her craft.
Meals are carefully planned. There are lean protein, vegetables and fruits to fuel her training, though she still indulges in her favourite burger or a comforting bowl of udon when cravings hit.
On rare rest days, she steps out into the city, discovering cafes and the latest fashion finds, stocking up on groceries and occasionally treating herself to a K-pop concert for inspiration.
Beyond the excitement, though, the biggest shift has been learning to navigate life alone in a foreign country, where she is also learning Korean so that she can seamlessly converse with residents there.
Within her first week at school, she has managed to form new friendships with Korean classmates.
PREPARING FOR THE RIGOURS OF THE INDUSTRY
Cassa is undoubtedly at the most exciting phase of her life, yet I can’t help but recall my conversation with her on mental health and resilience because the K-pop industry is notoriously demanding, both physically and mentally.
Every now and then, we hear about a young artiste, sometimes only in their 20s, taking their own life, reigniting conversations about mental health and the immense pressure that comes with being in the spotlight.
Then there are the so-called strict rules of being a K-pop idol, which can vary from one agency to another. Some well-known rules include prohibiting artistes from being in relationships or requiring them to keep their relationships hidden, and maintaining a positive public image by abstaining from alcohol.
When I spoke to Cassa and her parents about this, they said that they were well aware of the risks.
So much so that they have had many conversations together about preparing Cassa for the realities of this career when she started gaining exposure in the entertainment industry.
“We started to discuss with her … the good and bad of this industry, including how to protect herself and maintain a strong mind to stay positive. For example, she took self-defence classes to physically and mentally strengthen herself before leaving for Korea,” Ms Lim said.
She added that she also introduced Cassa to a strict diet early on to get her used to the regimented lifestyle, such as consuming more protein, fruits and vegetables while minimising carbohydrates and fast food.
“We have an open communication system in our family. Whenever she has doubts, we talk things through together.”
The academy has strict rules, but it allow family members to meet with Cassa at the academy’s foyer between classes or when she takes breaks.
As for Cassa, she has braced herself to cope with these rules if subjected to them, believing that they would help her focus on building her career.
“I’ve never doubted myself. I know the industry is harsh and I’ve read stories about idols struggling with mental health, which saddens me.
“But I’m mentally preparing myself to handle the pressure. My personality is naturally bright, cheerful and confident, so I believe I (have what it takes to) survive.”
