Ordered Not to be Happy - Considered as a Product, Sulli's Words in PERSONA:SULLI Make Sad

Kapanlagi.com - Written by: Antonia Rucita Nurak

The series PERSONA:SULLI aired on Netflix presents two episodes, each packaged in a different format. The first episode presents a short fiction film and the second episode presents a documentary about Choi Sulli.

PERSONA:SULLI is the second season of Persona, with the first season starring IU in 2019. In the first season, IU appeared in 4 episodes, portraying different characters.

Meanwhile, for the second season of Persona starring Sulli, it was supposed to have five episodes, but it was cut down to two episodes because the idol born in '94 took her own life in October 2019.

PERSONA: SULLI in the first episode titled 4:Clean Island presents a fictional story. While the second episode titled Dear Jinri, takes the real name of Sulli, which is Choi Jinri, and contains her last interview in 2019 before her death.

She revealed so many things, she truly poured her heart out. Not only that, her facial expressions varied and there were some questions that made her cry.

From her personal life, family, to being a K-Pop idol. Here are some surprising facts from her heartbreaking words when heard.

1. Told Not to Be Happy by My Mother

Sulli in Persona:Sulli/Credit:non_fotografer_kly

At the beginning of the duration, Sulli said that the moment she needed her mother was when she couldn't make decisions on her own. She also said that she and her mother are very similar, and her mother understands and knows her side that is considered strange by others.

However, the embarrassing thing in this segment that Sulli revealed is two things she wanted to do when she turned 20, which are dating and finding a therapist. "This is the first decision I made on my own. At that time, I was happy. But I think my mother told me not to be happy. It's hard to separate myself from my mother. But in the end, I stopped listening to my mother," Sulli said.

2. Idols are Workers

Sulli has revealed a lot about the life of a K-Pop idol. When asked if idols are workers, she quickly answered "yes". She added that their rights as workers need to be protected, such as minimum wage, working hours, and the right to organize."Of course we need it. Ah, I'm frustrated! We clearly need that," Sulli said when asked about unions for idols.

3. No One Cares About Idols

Sulli in Persona:Sulli/Credit:non_fotografer_kly

Sulli also said that it seems like no one wants to know or understand how she feels. It's as if she will just keep working.

"No one tells me, 'Make your own decisions', 'It's up to you', 'What do you think?', 'How have you been lately?'," she said. "We are like dolls. Who cares if we're tired," she added.

4. Wearing a Mask to Cover Weakness

When asked if she wears a 'mask' in front of the public, Sulli answered "yes". She explained that she wears a mask to avoid being underestimated and to cover her weaknesses.

"Acting tough? Pretending to be okay," she said. She also mentioned that she often feels embarrassed about her weaknesses. But she doesn't want to hide those weaknesses. "I might be stronger if I talk about my vulnerability," she said.

5. Blaming Herself

Sulli in Persona:Sulli/Credit:non_fotografer_kly

Often, the problems she faces don't receive support from her surroundings. Faced with so many hate comments, which make her feel pressured, she chooses to blame herself.

"I blame and underestimate myself. That's the only thing I can control for myself," she said.

6. The Lost Smile

Sulli said that she used to be someone who easily smiled. However, her smile started to fade during puberty.

"I went through puberty, and stopped smiling," she said.

7. Hating Being Beautiful

Sulli in Persona:Sulli/Credit:non_fotografer_kly

In another occasion, Sulli revealed one thing that she hates. She said that she hates being beautiful. Because when people are 'beautiful', others only see them for their beauty. 

"You just have to sit. Entertain. They say, 'Just your face is enough to make them happy'. If I say it's difficult to be beautiful, it (might sound) annoying to others," she said.

8. 'Valuable' as a Product

Sulli in Persona:Sulli/Credit:non_fotografer_kly

Her experience as an idol was very unpleasant from what she felt. Her openness about the bad things extended to herself as an idol who was considered a product rather than a human being.

"I feel like people see celebrities as not human. When I started in the entertainment business, there was one thing that people kept saying to me. Back then, I didn't think it was absurd," she said.

"You are a product. You have to be a product that has the best and greatest quality for the public. That's who you are," Sulli mimicked what others often said to her. "Even when they didn't say that I was a product, everyone treated me that way," she continued.

"I have to become what they want. I have to be afraid of losing my product value. In my case, I can't voice my opinions. I don't know how to be straightforward," Sulli said again.

(kpl/arn)