"I went to the Ivy League to become an idol"…Shinsegae Group Chairwoman's daughter Annie, the path of a trainee is no exception for a chaebol girl.
Annie (Moon Seo-yoon), the daughter of Shinsegae Group Chairwoman Jeong Yu-kyung, who debuted as a member of the mixed idol group ALLDAY PROJECT, is attracting public attention with her story of effort as a 'real idol,' contrasting with her glamorous background.
Recently, Annie held a live broadcast on her social media to communicate with fans. While sharing her friendly daily life by cooking, an unexpected voice over the intercom saying, "The chairwoman is coming in now," caused a stir on set. Annie continued the broadcast naturally, showing no signs of surprise or embarrassment, and this moment spread through social media and community platforms, eliciting reactions such as "It looks like a real chaebol's daily life," "Real-life heirs," and "Is it okay to see this live?"
However, her debut journey cannot be seen merely as that of a 'gold spoon idol.' Annie officially debuted as a member of the mixed group ALLDAY PROJECT (Annie, Tarzan, Woochan, Bailey, and Youngseo) launched by The Black Label on the 23rd. As she began her full-fledged activities with the title tracks "WICKED" and "FAMOUS," it took her an astonishing 10 years to achieve her debut.
In a documentary video prior to her debut, Annie revealed the strong opposition she faced from her family, including her mother, Chairwoman Jeong Yu-kyung. When she cautiously expressed her dream of becoming a singer for the first time, the response was, "That’s nonsense," which she described as "the first heartbreak of my life."
As she entered high school, the opposition intensified, but Annie did not give up. Eventually, her mother set a condition: "If you get into college, I will persuade the rest of the family." From that point on, Annie recalled, "I gave up sleep and focused on the entrance exam." Ultimately, she succeeded in gaining admission to the prestigious Ivy League school, Columbia University, breaking through her family's resistance. The statement, "Mom didn't think I would actually get in. She thought I was just a girl who danced all day," highlights the effort and desperation hidden behind her glamorous appearance.
Internet users additionally commented, "A chaebol daughter is just like any other trainee in the end," "A case proven by talent," and "The determination for entrance exams was idol-level," supporting her.
Meanwhile, ALLDAY PROJECT, which includes Annie, is an ambitious project of The Black Label, led by YG's chief producer Teddy, and has attracted attention from global fans immediately after its debut. It is welcome to see a newcomer gaining recognition for their skills and story rather than their background.
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