Here's How Female K-Pop Idols Deal With Menstrual Periods: Some Take Pills To Avoid It

Former girl group members Tina from Blady and Way from Crayon Pop talked about how female K-Pop idols deal with their menstrual period and its symptoms in two separate video content on YouTube.

Tina, now known as Soobin or Christine, previously uploaded a vlog on her YouTube channel soobeanie_ in 2019, talking about a "highly requested topic" -- how idols deal with periods (clothes, pills, practice and training).

According to her, idols on their periods have to cope and go through with it, either by taking painkillers to reduce the pain from symptoms they might have or asking their bandmates to take it easy on them during training.

However, the problem surfaces when there's a teacher. Most often, the menstrual periods and the cramps that come with the cycle are not an excuse to rest, per Tina.

Tina also recalled one incident when they had to wear white pants while she was on her period. According to her, stylists will change an idol's bottoms if they were told beforehand. However, if the outfit was already set for a music program, the idol just has to get through it even when it's uncomfortable. 

In 2021, Tina appeared as a guest on Anthony Padilla's vlog and spoke about the truth regarding "the restrictive world of stardom" of K-Pop idols.

During the interview, she shared one incident where she had to still go to practice despite suffering from extremely painful period cramps.

"There was one day where we had to go to practice, but I had such bad period cramps. I remember asking the company, like, 'Hey, is it okay if I rest a little bit?' And they would be like, 'Do you think other K-Pop idols would rest?'" she recalled.

Because of the lack of consideration from the agencies, Tina added that she would rely on her members to ensure that she wouldn't have any period stain or leak during their intense schedules.

Former Crayon Pop member Way also talked about this topic through a vlog posted on her YouTube channel 웨이랜드WayLand in 2019.

Answering the question about how she dealt with her menstrual period during promotions, Way revealed that she just took care of it with painkillers.

"If I had an important schedule or reality/entertainment show for one week or two to three days [in] the countryside, I took birth control pills because if I am in pain or feel uncomfortable, that's not good," she added.

According to Way, many female idols and celebrities do the same when they have an important schedule.