Nearly seven years after PRISTIN disbanded, former member Jung Eunwoo has shared new insight into one of K-pop’s most puzzling breakups.
In a recent Instagram Reel, Eunwoo reflected on her time as a trainee and idol, addressing the question she says fans ask her most often why PRISTIN disbanded so suddenly. While she stopped short of directly criticizing Pledis Entertainment, her remarks have reignited long-standing discussions among fans about the group’s management.
Looking back on her journey, Jung Eunwoo recalled joining Pledis Entertainment as a middle school student. “I started training when I was in my third year of middle school. Pledis was my first company, and it was the first company for all of the members as well. We went on Produce 101 and eventually debuted. We were a group with a lot of promise, and I had very high expectations too.”
PRISTIN debuted in March 2017 with the mini-album Hi! PRISTIN and title track “WEE WOO.” The rookie girl group quickly gained attention thanks to their strong performances and the popularity of members Nayoung and Kyulkyung, who had previously promoted as members of I.O.I after appearing on Produce 101. The group also earned several Rookie of the Year awards, making their abrupt disappearance from the spotlight all the more surprising.
When discussing the group's inactivity, Eunwoo explained that Pledis had numerous artists to manage at the time. "I can't talk about everything in detail, but the company had a lot of groups besides us, and there were many things they had to pay attention to. As things kept getting pushed back, I don't think the opportunities really reached us."
Although she did not explicitly blame the company, many longtime fans interpreted her comments as the clearest indication yet that PRISTIN struggled to receive consistent promotions and long-term planning despite their successful debut.
Following the release of their second mini-album SCHXXL OUT in August 2017, PRISTIN’s full-group activities slowed dramatically. While subunit PRISTIN V debuted in 2018, the full group never returned before Pledis Entertainment officially announced PRISTIN’s disbandment in May 2019.
At the time, the agency stated that the decision came after “careful discussions” with the members.
Despite the difficult ending, Jung Eunwoo said she looks back on her idol career positively. “There were definitely difficult moments back then, but now I think it was an incredibly valuable experience.”
She added that, even if she could go back in time, she would make the same choices again. “I would choose the same job, join the same company, and do everything the same way. That’s how little regret I have.” Her perspective reflects a sense of gratitude despite acknowledging the hardships she faced.
Following PRISTIN’s disbandment, Eunwoo debuted again in HINAPIA alongside former PRISTIN members Minkyeung, Gyeongwon, and Yaebin, as well as new member Bada. However, HINAPIA also disbanded in 2020, ending the group’s short-lived career.
In a previous interview, Eunwoo admitted she struggled emotionally after her dream of becoming a long-term idol came to an end. “I spent my teenage years and early twenties devoted to becoming a singer, so at the time I felt exhausted and had a lot of resentment.” She also shared that she experienced a sense of emptiness after leaving the idol industry because singing and dancing had been all she had known growing up. Over time, however, she accepted the change and began searching for a new path.
Today, Jung Eunwoo has built a new life outside of K-pop. She currently works as a consultation manager at a plastic surgery clinic in Gangnam while staying connected with fans through social media, where she frequently shares updates and reflects on her experiences as a former idol.
Although PRISTIN’s career ended far sooner than many expected, Eunwoo’s recent comments have reopened conversations about the group’s untapped potential and the challenges of managing multiple artists within a competitive entertainment company.
Sources: Theqoo
You must be logged in to post a comment.