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How Many Hours Do Kpop Idols Sleep?

Jason Park
Published by: Jason Park
Published on:

K-pop idols, on average, get 4 to 5 hours of sleep per day, with an extra hour or two if they can. During a new album release, their schedules are full, and they may only get 2 to 3 hours of sleep.

Being a kpop idol isn’t easy and requires a lot from you. You will have to work 13 hour days every single day. Most people don’t like working that much, but Kpop idols don’t have another option.

Especially when they’re debuting or making a comeback, this is the reason why their schedules are so full, and they get little to no sleep.

There’s always some kind of event or schedule in a kpop idol’s life. Even if they get a day or two off, their company will have something else scheduled. Only during the time where they have no comebacks or events can they rest and sleep 8 to 9 hours a day.

However, this isn’t something that often happens, especially for idols that just debuted. Idols that debuted very recently will have their schedule fully packed.

Kpop Idol Schedule

Here below is a kpop idol schedule that might help you give a better understanding of how much kpop idols work and how little they sleep.

Preparing for An Event

In the morning, they have to prepare for an event that will take place in the afternoon. Sometimes kpop idols have no time to even eat. While making their bed, they practice before the event starts.

After that, while at the venue of the event, they would get make-up and hair done. They are usually busy with interviews or rehearsals for performances that are scheduled.

After all of this, the idols have to meet up with fans either for an autograph signing or just simply greeting them.

Dance Practice

Dance practice is something all idols do. This can take up many hours each day and even into the night.

During dance practice, they would go over the choreography that they performed at an event that day or rehearse for future performances.

This is very tiring if you have to dance all day every day. Most people can’t even work out once a week so imagine doing this every single day.

Singing Practice

Singing practice is crucial for idols since not all of them are naturally talented. Idols practice hours singing in a booth just to make sure that they perfect it.

This includes going over the lyrics and practicing breath control, so you don’t pass out during performances.

In Korea, there are these karaoke bars where you can practice singing. It’s extremely popular in Asia while in western countries it isn’t

Tv and Variety Shows

Idols sleep less because of Tv and variety shows. These are often recorded very early in the morning.

This is when there’s still no one on the streets, and vehicles are almost nonexistent. Everyone takes advantage of the empty streets and records tv episodes and shows.

Idols have to wake up at 4 or 5 am just to film these shows. After that, they have another schedule in a few hours, so they don’t get much sleep.

How Many Hours a Day Do Kpop Idols Work?

Idols can work up to 17 hours a day, depending on their schedule. During a fully packed schedule, idols will work about 15 to 17 hours a day. However, idols don’t only have work on weekdays, and they will do work during the weekend as well.

Some idols work more but they don’t add time into it while traveling. Most of the time the idols can only rest in between events. Every company has its own driver for the idols and once their performance or even it over the idols can rest in the car.

You see, this is a lot in TV programs that follow idols. They get so tired and try to rest in between events.

At What Time Do Kpop Idols Wake Up?

Idols normally wake up around 4, or 5 am depending on their schedule. This varies from idol to idol because most of them don’t have to perform every day.

Some idols start very late because they don’t have anything scheduled. You can really see the difference between a rookie and older idols. Rookie idols still have to get used to the schedule.

The idols that have been in the industry for years are used to these extreme schedules. Their sleeping routine is so messed up that their body gets used to it.

Do Kpop Idols Have Free Time?

Yes, K-pop idols do have free time. However, it’s not like they have this every week. Most of them work 7 days a week, and only once their promotion is over do they get to rest.

This is their free time. Most idols go on a vacation or stay at home and watch tv shows. It really depends on what the idol likes to do. However, there are also trainees that live overseas and have come to Korea to become a trainee.

Those idols can’t visit their family because they live too far. It’s quite sad because other idols that are from Korea get to do that.

All in all, it’s something they chose very early on in their life to do. They wanted to become a kpop idol, and it finally paid off, so it should be that big of a deal.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, idols don’t get a lot of sleep. They either sleep 4 to 5 hours a day when their schedule is full. On the days off, they can sleep up to 9 hours or however long they want.

Keep in mind that idols don’t get many days off. They’re either working 7 days a week or practicing for their next comeback.

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    About The Author

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    Jason Park

    Jason has been living in Seoul for over 4 years, and during that time, he has experienced many of the city's hidden stores. He loves to write about his experiences and share them with others. Jason has been quoted and referenced by different major media companies like Mashed, Distractify, ThePrint and TastingTable. In his free time, he likes to watch Korean dramas and learn more about Korean culture.

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