K-pop's Smoking Hypocrisy: Why Are Idols Censored for Smoking When It's So Common in Korea?

Despite a significant decline in South Korea’s 'Smoke Culture' over the past few decades, the country still has a high smoking prevalence. Whether it's the statistics or the culture, as depicted in one of the country’s biggest thriving industries, K-dramas, it is not hidden that the East Asian country has a massive demographic who enjoy smoking. However, despite all of this, the Internet explodes when any K-pop idol is caught smoking through the lenses. The reason behind this is rather complex. What’s more fascinating is the Korean audience themselves, who criticize them more in comparison to the fans outside the arena. While it's completely normal for artists or celebrities in the West to smoke, people often don’t find it weird or awkward, but the same is not appreciated in the case of K-pop idols. Let’s decode why.

BTS Smoking Scandals

Let’s start with the most famous K-pop group of the era ‘BTS’ aka Bangtan Soneyondan. The K-pop group emerged as the breakthrough for the K-pop industry making it a worldwide sensation. Today, the industry has become one of the most powerful soft power in South Korea with millions of fans worldwide. Previously during the Grammys, one of the members Kim Taehyung aka BTS V got embroiled in a smoking scandal, When some camera caught him smoking on the Grammys premises, the internet went wild crazy over the visuals, many defended, and many got offended. Later, another member of the same group BTS Suga, channeled his flawless smoking skill in his solo MV of ‘Haegum’ and not a single eyebrow was raised, since he did it in a Music Video of course. And, now the youngest of the group Jeon Jungkook was caught in the scandal, but the internet still remains divided, a lot less than in the first scene but the essence of ‘Why is He’ still remains.

Why K-pop idols cannot smoke?

The question should be, Why fans cannot see K-pop Idols smoke? The whole dilemma starts with what’s ideal and what’s not ideal. K-pop idols are considered ‘Idol’ and thereby whatever they do, should be considered the Ideal behavior, well Smoking certainly is not right. Although it is not forbidden to smoke in South Korea, most non-smokers dislike smoking on the street. ‘Gilppang’ is a slang term with a negative implication for smoking in public places. Smoking in front of a camera is therefore not advised, at least for celebrities and idols. Compared to idols in other nations, South Korean idols have far more challenges.

In the case of non-Korean fans or audience, they really don’t have any problem with the same and rather enjoys their Idol's lifestyle and music thinking ‘They are an adult and should live their life on their terms’. If observed through a broader perspective ‘Idols don't have any moral or social obligations towards their customers' life decisions other than getting involved in unlawful actions.’ But, the argument is ‘If the figure is so influential then there might be some obligations, right?’ See we are still dealing with the perplexion here. Furthermore, some fans believe that what actually should be condemned is underage smoking among idols which is not only illegal but can also harm them in the long run. If people learned that an idol has smoked and consumed alcohol while underage, the career of the idol would be severely harmed. 

Idols are standard

Well, there is another side of the wall as well, Since Idols are considered as ‘Standard’ and people often try to replicate that standard, it can actually prove to be a good way to keep people away from habits like smoking and drinking. But, in the case of scandals involving big celebrities, like BTS, many fans tend to get offended and thus the idols themselves have to go through a long run of explanation series, which is not exactly what they signed up for. Though things like smoking and drinking should never be appreciated nor be promoted across any culture, it should be up to the individual to decide.