K-pop star Giselle praised for candid livestream on industry pressures and health

Aespa member Giselle has earned widespread praise for a recent livestream where she spoke with unusual candor about her experiences as a K-pop idol. During the 40-minute session, largely conducted in English, the 25-year-old singer-rapper, whose real name is Aeri Uchinaga, shared candid thoughts on her body, the K-pop industry, and personal well-being.

“

Honestly, you guys talk about my looks a lot... That's really all you talk about when it comes to me.

When asked about weight loss, Giselle addressed the constant scrutiny of idols' appearances, stating, "Honestly, you guys talk about my looks a lot... That's really all you talk about when it comes to me." She explained that weight changes are natural with age and mentioned her attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) sometimes affects her appetite. Despite efforts to gain weight due to low energy levels, she emphasized the difficulty of staying healthy in the demanding K-pop environment, declaring, "I try really hard to be healthy. I do. But it's hard for a K-pop star to be healthy."

“

I try really hard to be healthy. I do. But it's hard for a K-pop star to be healthy.

Giselle also used expletives, a rarity in the typically sanitized K-pop sphere, to advise fans on handling difficult situations. Reflecting on her career, she affirmed she doesn't regret being an idol but acknowledged it feels "very far" from her true self. When asked what she would change about the K-pop industry, she pointed to "scams" and "being inhumane to people," though she laughed and called it "very not smart" to say.

“

Health really is wealth... nothing is worth anything when you start losing your health.

Clips of the livestream circulated online, garnering positive reactions from fans and non-fans alike. Many commended Giselle for her honesty and for setting boundaries. One widely shared comment on X stated, "Good for her, I think it's really time for idols to tell fans to shut the f*** up when they're overstepping their boundaries or being annoying in general." The candid discussion highlighted the intense pressures faced by K-pop artists and resonated with many who appreciated Giselle's raw and unfiltered perspective.

“

It is very far from who she is.