NJZ’s Danielle exposes the K-pop industry on Instagram Live: Three moments to take away

On March 15, 2025, Danielle of NJZ went live on Instagram to share shocking details about the strict and invasive rules she endured as a K-pop trainee. Her revelations shed a light on the pressure young idols face before they even debut. The livestream quickly went viral, with Danielle addressing the industry’s normalized restrictions and emotional toll on aspiring artists.

Here are the three biggest takeaways from her live:

3. No privacy, even for basic needs

Danielle revealed that trainees had to leave a note just to use the bathroom—even during their free time. On top of that, they were constantly monitored while practicing, taking away their privacy and personal space.

2. Meal approval system

One of the most shocking details was the requirement to photograph every meal and send it for approval before eating. Danielle explained that managers decided what and how much trainees could eat, making it clear that body image standards were important.

1.Confined life

Danielle described her trainee years as living in a “confined environment”, where she had to suppress her emotions just to survive. She confessed to feeling like her identity had been violated, saying, “Looking back now, I would never go through that again.”

Danielle’s revelations come amid NJZ’s ongoing legal battle with HYBE’s ADOR. The Seoul Central District Court recently ordered the group to submit a detailed justification for terminating their contract by March 14, 2025. However, as of now, no new details have been shared.