From their intense trainee lives to the rigid rules they have to follow when they debut, it’s no secret that idols have a lot of pressures that they are forced to live by. Despite the perfect lives idols seem to have, fame has its consequences. In these songs, idols expressed their struggles through meaningful lyrics.

Stray Kids - Hellevator

In their debut song, the Stray Kids members discussed the mental and physical strains of achieving their dreams.

There’s nothing

No one to care or worry about me

Only cold words

Telling me to give up on my dreams

G-Dragon - Divina Commedia

In “Divina Commedia,” G-Dragon reveals that he can no longer distinguish between himself and his persona, highlighting his experiences with intense fame and solitude.

What kind of face am I making right now?

It doesn't matter what kind, it's all a mask

Putting our lives on the line to self-hypnotize ourselves

Gambling with our lives just to live comfortably

Song Min Ho - Fear

In this powerful song, Song Min Ho discusses the loneliness, fear, and pressure he felt from those around him to become successful.

Hey you idiot, don’t make it obvious

Be strong, I know you’re lonely

But you need to get through it, are you crying?

Be a man

Stop crying and take responsibility once more

Agust D (Suga) - The Last

BTS’ Suga has always been open with his struggles with mental health. In “The Last,” he revealed all of his vulnerabilities.

I’ve exchanged my youth for success

And that monster demands for more wealth

At times it puts a collar on my neck

To ruin and swallow me with greed

Hui - For You

While singing this song, Pentagon’s leader broke down into tears as he expressed his concerns about becoming a successful artist.

There are many things I feel sorry about

To my family and friends

The world is out of my control

So I can’t rest for even a moment

Bang Yongguk - AM 4:44

B.A.P’s former leader detailed his frustrations and mental health struggles in this song as he expressed his feelings of being worthless.

The heavy weight carried on two shoulders

Nobody would know how scary the mask I wear is

I don’t even know what I traded my passion for in place of everyone’s cheers

For what am I insisting on trying so hard for to keep on running

Chanyeol - Hand

This song features a powerful rap about the consequences of fame and the many difficulties of being an idol.

My dreams came true earlier than I expected

and the despair found me earlier, too

The happy moments might have stopped somewhere between the two

I pray every night, and even if

I yell out, asking for an answer

In the end every day is the same as yesterday

NCT 127 - My Van

In this song, NCT 127 explains the tiring and endless schedule for idols, who practically live in their vans as they move from one place to another.

A few hours if you’re lucky I put my eyes on

With a face worn out by fatigue

Making me more tired

BTS - Sea

Although not one of BTS’ more popular songs, “Sea” is loved by fans for its meaningful lyrics about BTS’ journey from the bottom to the top.

I thought this was the ocean but it’s a desert

A medium-sized, ordinary idol was my second name

Countless people get cut from broadcast

But someone’s empty spot is our dream

VIXX - I Don’t Want to Be an Idol

In this song, VIXX addresses the strict rules that idols have placed upon them. Even if they fall in love with someone, they are not able to date them openly.

Things that everyone else does, things that are normal

Those things are difficult for us