Are Celebrity Kids Getting a Passport to Privilege?
In the world of celebrity parenting, sending children abroad for school is quickly becoming not just a trend—but a statement. Recently, Korean pop star Baek Ji-young revealed that she is considering sending her 9-year-old daughter to a Japanese boarding school. The child is already attending an elite international school in Seoul's affluent Cheongdam neighborhood, with annual tuition reportedly exceeding $20,000.
Her decision sparked conversations across social media and classrooms alike. Supporters praise international education and early overseas schooling for broadening cultural understanding and improving career prospects. Critics, however, argue that this practice magnifies educational inequality and reinforces existing social divides.
The Case for Early Global Education
For advocates of early study abroad, the argument is clear: investing in global education prepares children for a future that will be increasingly international. Exposure to different cultures and languages at a young age boosts not only bilingual fluency but also adaptability and empathy.
Studies show children who attend international schools or study abroad early are more likely to land jobs at global companies and form robust professional networks spanning continents. For celebrity kids, this may open doors beyond their parents' fame, giving them a shot at shaping their own identities and success stories.
Such education often includes immersive programs in multiple languages, small class sizes, and customized tracks designed to pave a way into Ivy League universities or elite international programs. In Baek Ji-young’s case, her daughter’s curriculum is reportedly designed around a long-term dream of attending Harvard.
And the Case Against: Inequality in Disguise
But this pursuit of excellence comes at a cost—literally and socially. International school tuition can reach tens of thousands of dollars annually, pricing out most middle-income families. Boarding schools abroad only widen the financial gap.
Critics warn that this growing trend turns education into a luxury, where only the privileged few can offer their children a "global edge." Meanwhile, public schools struggle with resource shortages and overcrowded classrooms. The result is a two-tiered system that reinforces class divisions—even among kids.
Additionally, early separation from family can pose emotional challenges. Children may suffer stress, struggle with cultural identity, or feel pressure to live up to costly expectations. These are high stakes for someone so young, and they rarely appear in glossy social media updates.
Bridging the Gap: Can Public and Private Choices Coexist?
Experts emphasize that while families have every right to choose what's best for their children, the broader education system shouldn’t leave others behind. They recommend strengthening public school offerings by introducing immersive English programs and expanding global education modules that don’t cost a fortune.
Some suggest offering scholarships to less privileged students for international programs or setting tuition caps at elite academies. At the same time, emotional development shouldn’t be sacrificed in the name of "success." Schools, teachers, and parents need to consider a child’s psychological health just as much as academic outcomes.
Cultural Divide or Curious Choice?
This isn’t solely a Korean phenomenon. In the U.S., some celebrities and tech elites enroll their children in private language immersion programs or send them to overseas camps in Europe and Asia. While these efforts can reflect thoughtful parenting, they can also deepen rifts between those who can afford international thinking—and those left behind.
What’s needed now is a conversation not just about where kids go to school, but why they go there—and whether our school systems are evolving fast enough to serve everyone. Early access to global learning should be an opportunity everyone can dream of, not just a few with the right passport.
