The Wider Image: K-Pop stardom lures Japanese youth to Korea despite diplomatic chill
Japanese Yuuka Hasumi, 17, and Ibuki Ito, 17, also from Japan, who want to become K-pop stars, spend time before taking part in an audition in Seoul, South Korea, March 16, 2019. Hasumi put high school in Japan on hold and flew to South Korea in February to try her chances at becoming a K-pop star, even if that means long hours of vocal and dance training, no privacy, no boyfriend, and even no phone. "It is tough," Hasumi said. "Going through a strict training and taking my skill to a higher level to a perfect stage, I think that's when it is good to make a debut." REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji SEARCH "SOUTHKOREA KPOP" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.