Former Apink member and actress Son Na Eun has shared a rare and candid look back at her years as an idol, revealing that she now wants people to see who she truly is beyond the image they formed during her time in the group.

The actress made the comments during a recent appearance on broadcaster Ha Ji Young’s YouTube channel while promoting the SBS drama Agent Kim Reactivated, in which she plays special operations agent Jung Sang Ah.

During the interview, Ha Ji Young recalled first meeting Son Na Eun when Apink had just debuted. She reminisced about the rookie group’s nervous early interviews, joking that she had even given the members advice after seeing them become emotional on camera. Ha Ji Young noted that this was one of the few occasions where Son Na Eun appeared alone to speak openly about herself.

Son Na Eun admitted that, during her idol years, she was often too cautious to express herself publicly. “Back then, I didn’t have many opportunities, and I wasn’t very good at talking, so I was careful about everything.” She said her perspective has changed significantly over time. “As I’ve gotten older, my thinking has changed a lot. I wanted people to know what kind of person I really am.”

The actress explained that many people still associate her with the image she built as an idol. “Although I’ve been active for a long time, so many people still see me through a fixed image. That’s why opportunities like interviews are so precious to me.” Her comments reflect a desire to move beyond her idol identity and establish herself more fully as an actress.

Son Na Eun left Apink in 2022 to focus on her acting career. When she announced her departure, rumors of conflict within the group surfaced. At the time, she dismissed the speculation by encouraging fans to continue supporting both Apink and its members.

However, questions resurfaced after she was absent from former bandmate Yoon Bo Mi’s private wedding ceremony in May. Her absence followed last year’s reports that she also did not attend Oh Ha Young’s birthday celebration, leading some online observers to once again speculate about her relationship with the group. Neither Son Na Eun nor the other members have publicly addressed those recent rumors.

Since leaving Apink, Son Na Eun has steadily focused on acting, taking on more diverse roles that differ from the bright, elegant image she was known for during her idol career.

With Agent Kim Reactivated earning strong ratings and her performance receiving attention, the actress says she hopes audiences will look beyond preconceived impressions and recognize her growth as both a performer and an individual.

Sources: Daum | TV리포트