K-pop stars are leading the way for mental health conversations to support AAPI youth. 

K-pop stars are leading the way for mental health conversations to support AAPI youth. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, AAPIs have the lowest rate of seekling help of any racial or ethnic group, while the National Latino and Asian American Study found that only 8.6% of Asian Americans seek out mental health services, compared to 18% of the general U.S. population. YPulse’s mental health research found that 46% of Asian young consumers say their mental health has been negatively impacted by the pandemic. To support this demographic, K-pop bands and musicians have been more vocal about their own mental health to connect with their young fans. BTS’ music has also evoked a sense of vulnerability many fans relate to, and K-pop singer-songwriter Eric Nam recently created Mindset, an app where artists can talk candidly about their mental health journeys to create a dialogue around topics “considered taboo within the Asian community.” According to one cultural anthropologist: “The empathy and encouragement from fans as a result could be a source of rejuvenation, passion, and energy. [Music] companies have also realized that mental health is a global issue and that having their idols speak about mental health is not a minus to the business. The transparency could create more engagement from the fan base.” (Teen Vogue, Insider)