K-pop fans are well aware of the gruelling and intensive training that idols must endure before making their debut. While some manage to work their way to stardom, others are forced to abandon their dreams and return home to pursue different careers. Although a number of singers have spoken openly about their trainee days, there are far fewer stories from employees or former staff who worked within these agencies.
For those curious about what it is like to work at South Korean entertainment companies, particularly the “Big Four”, this video offers some insight into their work culture. Here’s what this former employee went through during her time at JYP Entertainment:
JYP Entertainment is regarded as one of the “Big Four” South Korean entertainment companies, alongside HYBE, YG Entertainment and SM Entertainment. The agency manages idol groups including Stray Kids, TWICE, 2PM and ITZY. TikTok user @/piggyoun recently shared a video recounting her time working as a marketing staff member at JYP Entertainment and the reasons she chose to resign.
One of the main factors was physical burnout. She explained that during idols’ comeback seasons, filming could last 3 to 5 consecutive days with little to no rest, often requiring staff to work from 4am until 2am the following day. “Following these extreme schedules, I could feel my body breaking down. I’d rather endure office work than destroy my health like this,” she said.
However, it was her second point that drew the most attention: the former employee claimed that JYPE does not even have a proper marketing team. According to her, entertainment marketing at the company involved no real strategy, only sales. “Instead of building [promotional] campaigns, I was photoshopping posters, translating scripts, calling agencies and running around on set. Not exactly the marketing career I had imagined,” she said.
Her final reason for quitting was the work culture, which she described as highly hierarchical, with seniors and superiors allegedly showing little respect towards juniors while micromanaging every task. The video has since gone viral among K-pop fans, as it appeared to confirm many of their long-held suspicions. JYPE was criticised for lacking a proper marketing team, which some argued explained why its idol groups were not growing in popularity as expected. Others remarked that fans themselves had done a far better job of promoting the idols than the company.
Some viewers also expressed concern for the former employee, noting that she could face a lawsuit for posting the video. That said, she has previously mentioned that, despite the challenges, she enjoyed her time at the agency and had even highlighted the advantages and perks of working there. In both the video and its captions, she clarified that she was not claiming JYPE’s approach was wrong, but that it simply did not suit her in terms of career growth.
Watch the viral video below:
@piggyoun Spilling the tea on why I left that great company ☕✨ Just a little reminder: this is only my personal experience—no company is perfect! No shade to JYP Ent. 💙 I truly enjoyed my time there and gained so much valuable experience (see my “Top 3 perks” video 👆) At the end of the day, it’s all about finding the right company + culture that fits you. For me, it just wasn’t the right match—so I moved on. 🌱
The perks of working at JYP Entertainment:
@piggyoun Back with another episode of JYP tea 🍵✨ Got any questions about my time there? Drop them in the comments — I might spill more in the next video 👀💬 🚨 P.S. I don’t work at JYP anymore, so this is all from the archives! . . #jobhunting #jyp #kpop #entertainment #idoltrainee #chasingdreams #productive #corporategirl #careerpath #careerswitch #kpopidol
