[Sportschosun Jeong An-ji] I.O.I member Choi Yoo-jung spoke candidly about the group's settlement process and her real income after 10 years in the industry.
On the 23rd, a video titled "With Choi Yoo-jung" was uploaded to the YouTube channel Life84.
In the video, Choi was asked whether she gives her mother pocket money. She replied, "I can't do it often, but I give it when I can." She added, "Once I get settled, I'll be able to give her soon," and laughed as she recalled telling her mother the day before, "I think I can do well with this album," only to hear, "Let's stay close."
Now in her 10th year since debut, she was candid about her income. When asked about earnings, she said honestly, "Unless you are doing really, really well, it's not easy to make a profit."
Kian84 responded, "Didn't you do well? You placed third on Produce 101, released a solo album, and even did musicals," adding that Produce was such a national hit that it was not something only idol fans watched.
I.O.I, which reunited for the first time in 10 years, recently released its new song "Suddenly" and once again drew attention by topping the streaming charts.
Choi Yoo-jung laughed and said, "Since we're a survival group, there are rankings. Back then, Somi was No. 1, Se-jeong was No. 2, and I was No. 3, right? Now that we're No. 1 on the charts, people say, 'Jeon Somi'd it.'"
Kian84 then asked directly, "If you make 100 million won in revenue, how much do you get?" Choi explained the reality of the split, saying, "They take a lot. Each member has her own agency, and there are the members too. I just take what's left."
After hearing that, Kian84 said, "There has to be something left for you to feel excited about it, right?" Choi replied, "If it goes on like that, we won't be able to get together. Our reunion was canceled twice," suggesting that, since the reunion was so hard to make happen, the meaning of group activities matters more than the money.
anjee85@sportschosun.com
