Looking back, leaving the grp may have been the best decision Heeseung ever made not only for his musical identity & direction, but for his mental well-being too.
Being in a successful grp brings opportunities, exposure, & money, but it also comes with enormous pressure. Youโre expected to fit certain roles & personalities that support the โfamily dynamicsโ the grp is selling. Your artistry is often controlled, bec the grp is always supposed to be bigger than any individual member.
The more popular your grp become, the more people love you but the more they also feel entitled to you. Many fans donโt simply stan an idol for their talent but they connect them to an image, fantasy, or dynamic that means something personal to them. When you challenge that image, some feel threatened & will attack anyone who disrupts their delusion.
Thatโs one of the many darker sides of fd culture in kpop, & part of why online bullying has become so rampant. So while leaving a grp may mean giving up certain advantages, gaining control over your artistry, identity, & peace of mind can be worth far more. Sometimes choosing yourself is the best career decision you can make!