Dorm-living is a huge part of K-Pop culture. Most idols live in assigned dorms from their trainee days all the way up to at least around five years of debut. It is only when they have some experience under their belt that they are allowed to move out into their own apartments.
Many fans treasure dorm culture for multiple reasons. Firstly, it fosters a closer relationship between the members. Next, it also provides an avenue for dorm-based reality shows. Lastly, it functions as a way to prevent scandals or controversy, given that there is a lack of “alone time” and one is likely to be monitored by their manager or fellow members.
Girl group TripleS shocked with their unique dorm arrangements that stray from this concept. They shared that during non-promotional periods, the girls are allowed to live on their own, be it in their own family homes or by themselves.
트리플에스 HAUS 자율화
활동기를 제외한 모든 기간은 숙소가 아닌 자유롭게
생활 할 수 있다.첫번째로 독립하는멤버 : 정혜린, 이지우, 김유연, 박소현 pic.twitter.com/B5x4g3mRJd
— 유여니스 (@YYNS_yyns) June 12, 2024
“The fans would be a little surprised to hear, but it’s actually harder than you think to have 24 girls live in a house and promote. Although it’s so fun and enjoyable to get together and put our strength together to promote, there are some realistic problems that come with it. So during our non-promotional period, we are allowed to freely live where we want to. Of course we all live together in dorms during promotional periods, but for non-promotional periods, we have discussed it with our company to agree on this. For now, the ones who live outside are Hyerin, Yooyeon, Sohyun, and Jiwoo. But we have more promotions than expected, so we have to go back at forth a lot. Also, we expect that more of us will move out in the future, so we will continue to share this with the fans.”
— TripleS
Although the girls seem satisfied with the arrangement, it drew some disapproval from netizens. Netizens understood that this was necessary due to the large number of members, but still dislike the concept.
- Ugh, if this was my bias group, I’d hate it so much.
- I think this is because they have so many members. As long as there are no problems, well…
- I know why, but it’s not welcome news to hear from a rookie group LOL. Did they really have to announce it like that?
- I don’t understand those who get so into the dorm-life concept and curse at this. On the other hand, if the members have different living habits, it becomes a con to force them to live together.
- This comes in the midst of many internal problems where they should be releasing a statement about it… Although the company probably gave them a script, to have the members come out and say they’re leaving the dorms… Which fan would like this?
- Huh, it’s not like fans are saying that they have to live in the form. It’s just that they didn’t need to announce this publicly. Why are you turning fans into old fogeys?
- I can understand it with my head, but if my bias left the dorms, I’d hate it.
Dorm-life and communal living is a part of K-Pop that many fans treasure during their bias’ rookie years. TripleS’s arrangement is a fresh one that most rookie idols do not get to experience.
Source: theqoo
