Chinese pop stars train in military-style survival camps
To combat the global influence of K-pop, Beijing has transformed pop stardom into a grueling test of endurance where recruits train in literal trenches.
In a bid for cultural security, China has replaced the polished charm of foreign boy bands with a domestic industry defined by military discipline. Since 2016, the government has restricted outside media to favor a local system that debuts 500 new groups annually. These aspiring idols do not just practice choreography; they are sent to survival camps where they crawl through mud and endure drill-sergeant-led conditioning. This shift is a deliberate rejection of the individualistic style seen in groups like BTS, which generates five billion dollars for the South Korean economy.
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