The fate of retired idols: One became a BJ to afford daily expenses, another worked as a part-time waitress to maintain a routine
Following unsuccessful idol activities, these former idols took up various jobs to make ends meet.
After leaving DIA, Somyi shared about her difficult life prior to her departure from the group: “I worked hard in DIA, but I couldn’t cross the break-even point, so I received 700,000 won in monthly allowance from my parents even though my family situation was difficult.”
After leaving her group, Somyi looked for a more practical option. “After the group’s disbandment, I finished my exclusive contract and chose BJ (Broadcast Jockey) as my new job, but I’m suffering from criticism and malicious comments“, she said.
The former DIA member also said she took up other part-time jobs but could barely afford her living expenses. As a BJ, Somyi earned around 20 to 50 million won per month.
Tasha was the former leader of the girl group SKarf. Unfortunately, the group disbanded in 2014. Afterwards, Tasha shared in one of the interviews that she was working as a sales manager but remained regretful because it was not the job she dreamt of.
Hyerin (EXID) once shared that she was a part-time waitress at an Italian restaurant after leaving Banana Culture. In a reality show, she said, “I began sleeping late and waking up late. So I needed to make a reason to wake up early. So I started working at an Italian restaurant near my house. Once I began working there, I started to create my own routine.”
Former BADKIZ member Jina Yoo also shared her struggling life after departing from the group in November last year. She once had to make ends meet through milk delivery. The former idol confided, “I had to work even on rainy and snowy days. I would start work between 2 AM to 3 AM. There would be stacks of milk carts I had to deliver that day. It would be over 150 per day. I earned from 300,000 KRW to 400,000 KRW (~224 USD to 299 USD) per month.”
At the moment, Jina Yoo is running a pet hotel and a kindergarten with her twin sister. Despite her busy work, she never abandons her dream of singing. Jina still releases solo albums with the hope of returning to the stage in the future.
Source: YAN News
