Faded K-pop star aims for a comeback after losing career and falling into debt and depression

Ryu Sera thought her dreams had come true in 2010 when she made her debut with K-pop girl band Nine Muses. But four years later, Sera's career seemed over when her management company sacked her in a band reshuffle. In 2020, the singer started speaking out against the K-pop system in which a tiny minority of people ever rise to stardom. She has also been given a rare second chance with a new weekly televised singing contest where all the performers are failed and once-famous idols. The programme includes a twist in that none of the seven participants each week are eliminated. Instead, the singer earning the highest points from judges will have their song released as a single with the artist getting a share of the profits.