Career Perceptions and Occupational Aspirations of Korean Adolescents Regarding K-pop Idols

Objectives The purpose of this study is to explore the career perceptions and occupational aspirations of Korean adolescents regarding K-pop idols, in order to understand the changes in their vocational values and preferences. Methods To achieve this, a survey was conducted among 316 adolescents aged 13 to 15 nationwide, from December 4 to December 14, 2023. The survey consisted of questions about career perceptions and occupational aspirations related to K-pop idols. The analysis of the survey responses was performed using frequency analysis. Results The research findings indicate that, first, adolescents recognize that systematic training, information, and appearance are important for debuting as a K-pop idol. They perceive that it is difficult to succeed as an idol due to challenges such as appearance, performance, and musical talent, as well as the instability of the profession. In particular, the negative impacts of unmet public expectations and malicious comments were found to be significant reasons for the cessation of activities, leading to hesitation in choosing a career as an idol. Secondly, regarding occupational aspirations for K-pop idols, adolescents express a high preference for idols as figures that bring joy and happiness, but show limited consideration of idol careers. When they do consider it as a career, their motivations are primarily based on aptitude and interest. Additionally, the main aspirational motivations for wanting to become an idol include attractive appearance and style, music, and dance, while the obstacles identified are long training periods and an uncertain future. Conclusions This study reveals that while Korean adolescents admire the dance and performances of idols, very few consider idol careers as viable options due to perceived low feasibility. This indicates that adolescents take into account not only curiosity, interest, and admiration in their career choices but also a wide range of factors such as their own talents, aptitudes, and characteristics. Therefore, it is essential for schools and the government to provide adolescents with information about various professions. This will help guide them toward selecting aspirational yet feasible careers aligned with their talents and abilities, along with the necessary support.