Former Brave Girls (now known as BBGIRLS) member Yejin has opened up about her difficult experiences as an idol and the reasons behind her early departure from the group—long before their sudden rise to fame.
On September 4, Yejin appeared in an interview on the YouTube channel 원마이크, where she candidly reflected on her past as one of Brave Girls’ original members.
Yejin revealed that the strict management took a heavy toll on her mental health: “Back then, idols were extremely controlled. We couldn’t be close with other singers, and sometimes they would even follow me to the bathroom. I couldn’t contact my family, and I felt no sense of accomplishment. That’s when depression set in.”
She added that even speaking up could be criticized: “If I said something, the company would ask, ‘Do you think you’re HyunA or Lee Hyori?’ It felt suffocating.”
After pleading with her agency to terminate her contract, she was released on the condition that she would not sign with another entertainment company. Yejin then attempted acting auditions but eventually decided to return to Canada, feeling lost and unable to adjust.
Later, encouragement from friends during her Miss Korea days inspired her to try a new path. She pursued training to become a show host and is now in her fourth year at Lotte Home Shopping, living a happier and more stable life.
Despite her struggles, Yejin expressed nothing but support for her former group when Brave Girls’ tracks like “Rollin’” and “We Ride” went viral: “They endured much longer than I did, and that’s why they had such amazing days ahead. I truly congratulate them and feel grateful whenever they mention my name.”
Fans who watched the interview left supportive comments such as: “Her journey wasn’t easy, but I admire her resilience” and “The agency sounds so controlling. Glad she’s found happiness now.”
Brave Girls, once on the brink of disbandment, became one of K-pop’s most famous “reverse success stories,” proving that perseverance can turn even forgotten songs into national hits.
Sources: 네이트 뉴스
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