I was doing some research and came across the wikipedia page that covers Japanese Idols and the history of them. I think this is the best description of the Kpop idols of today.
An idol is a type of entertainer whose image is manufactured to cultivate a dedicated consumer fan following. Talent agencies commercialize idols by recruiting preteens and teenagers with little or no experience in the entertainment industry, and market them as aspiring stars.[8][9] Idols are predominantly singers, but are also often trained in acting, dancing, and modeling.[10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Most idol singers work across genres of Japanese pop music, usually in the genre that is most popular at the moment,[17] but they also have their own subculture of music.[8] Conversely, some talent agencies do not rigorously train their idols,[18] and market their idols as amateurs who will gain experience over the course of their careers and with the support of their fans.[8][19]
Unlike tarento, idols are marketed for their image, attractiveness, and personalities.[20][10] An idol's main objective is to "sell dreams", offering fans a form escapism from the troubles of daily life.[21] As such, they are seen as role models to the public, and their personal lives and image are tightly controlled by their talent agencies.[22] Common restrictions include not being allowed to smoke or drink in public, or pursue romantic relationships.[22] Idols often spend time isolated from family and friends while enduring busy work schedules,[23] with some agencies withholding job assignments from their talents and notifying them of work on short notice to prevent them from taking time off.[24]
A notable trait of idols that sets them apart from typical celebrities is their relationship with fans, and they are marketed intentionally by talent agencies to have a high emotional connection with their consumer fan base. Fans are built as active supporters into the narrative of the idol's journey to become a professional entertainer,[19] viewing them as siblings, daughters/sons, or girl/boy next door types due to how easily they can relate to the public.[47][15][48] The idol fan culture idealizes the idea of "moe", where vulnerability is seen as an attractive trait.[19]
Fans spend money on merchandise and endorsed products to directly support their favorites, comparing it to spending money on "loved ones"; some express feeling happy that they were able to make someone they admired happy.[49] Dedicated fans may give up their careers and devote their life savings to supporting and following their favorite members.[21] To foster a closeness between idols and fans, some talent agencies offer meet-and-greets in the form of handshake events, where fans have the opportunity to shake hands, take a photograph, and speak briefly with the idols.[21][47] Because idols share an intimate relationship with their fans, fans may feel "betrayed" if idols reveal unfavorable parts of their personal lives that are different from the image they present, or break the illusion that they are there exclusively for fans.[23]
Male fans of idols who regularly participate in organized fan chants with accompanied movements are colloquially referred to as "wota" (ヲタ), derived from the word "otaku."[50] Beginning in the 1980s, they formed "shineitai" cheering groups to support idols at concerts and public appearances.[16] The fan chants and accompanied movements are known as wotagei. Along with fan chants, the idol fandom also cheers with glowsticks in the members' official colors to show solidarity.
Theres more information on the history of idols on the wikipedia page, but I think its part of its basis that Korea uses for it's Kpop idols.
en.wikipedia.org
Also this teaser for a Korean city pop music video showing a young man going through old fan magazines and photocards of an idol is a homage to that sort of 1980's Japanese idol. It's almost like coming full circle.
An idol is a type of entertainer whose image is manufactured to cultivate a dedicated consumer fan following. Talent agencies commercialize idols by recruiting preteens and teenagers with little or no experience in the entertainment industry, and market them as aspiring stars.[8][9] Idols are predominantly singers, but are also often trained in acting, dancing, and modeling.[10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Most idol singers work across genres of Japanese pop music, usually in the genre that is most popular at the moment,[17] but they also have their own subculture of music.[8] Conversely, some talent agencies do not rigorously train their idols,[18] and market their idols as amateurs who will gain experience over the course of their careers and with the support of their fans.[8][19]
Unlike tarento, idols are marketed for their image, attractiveness, and personalities.[20][10] An idol's main objective is to "sell dreams", offering fans a form escapism from the troubles of daily life.[21] As such, they are seen as role models to the public, and their personal lives and image are tightly controlled by their talent agencies.[22] Common restrictions include not being allowed to smoke or drink in public, or pursue romantic relationships.[22] Idols often spend time isolated from family and friends while enduring busy work schedules,[23] with some agencies withholding job assignments from their talents and notifying them of work on short notice to prevent them from taking time off.[24]
A notable trait of idols that sets them apart from typical celebrities is their relationship with fans, and they are marketed intentionally by talent agencies to have a high emotional connection with their consumer fan base. Fans are built as active supporters into the narrative of the idol's journey to become a professional entertainer,[19] viewing them as siblings, daughters/sons, or girl/boy next door types due to how easily they can relate to the public.[47][15][48] The idol fan culture idealizes the idea of "moe", where vulnerability is seen as an attractive trait.[19]
Fans spend money on merchandise and endorsed products to directly support their favorites, comparing it to spending money on "loved ones"; some express feeling happy that they were able to make someone they admired happy.[49] Dedicated fans may give up their careers and devote their life savings to supporting and following their favorite members.[21] To foster a closeness between idols and fans, some talent agencies offer meet-and-greets in the form of handshake events, where fans have the opportunity to shake hands, take a photograph, and speak briefly with the idols.[21][47] Because idols share an intimate relationship with their fans, fans may feel "betrayed" if idols reveal unfavorable parts of their personal lives that are different from the image they present, or break the illusion that they are there exclusively for fans.[23]
Male fans of idols who regularly participate in organized fan chants with accompanied movements are colloquially referred to as "wota" (ヲタ), derived from the word "otaku."[50] Beginning in the 1980s, they formed "shineitai" cheering groups to support idols at concerts and public appearances.[16] The fan chants and accompanied movements are known as wotagei. Along with fan chants, the idol fandom also cheers with glowsticks in the members' official colors to show solidarity.
Theres more information on the history of idols on the wikipedia page, but I think its part of its basis that Korea uses for it's Kpop idols.
Japanese idol - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
Also this teaser for a Korean city pop music video showing a young man going through old fan magazines and photocards of an idol is a homage to that sort of 1980's Japanese idol. It's almost like coming full circle.
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wtf is going on with with kpop twitter.
