What happens to failed K-pop stars? 4 former idols who changed careers, from AOA’s Mina working at a skincare clinic, to Somyi trading Dia for adult content streaming

Apr 29 , 2022

Not all K-pop idols make it big, but the ones who don’t often retreat to different, sometimes unexpected, career pivots. Photos: @aoamina_, @kyla.massie, @yn_s_1230, @somsom_o0o/Instagram

Whether it’s BTS, Blackpink or even Aespa (which made its global debut at Coachella just last week), many people are familiar with K-pop’s success stories. Plenty of K-pop idols are popular not just in Korea, but also around the globe too.

However, although some stars are raking in the cash, wealth and widespread fame is not as common as you might think. Many who train to become an idol do not get to debut despite years of preparation and even if they do debut, idols are not guaranteed success following their entry into the competitive industry.

This invites the question: what happens to idols who don’t make it big? Well, unsurprisingly, they often choose to shift careers – and some end up far from showbiz.

Here are four female former idols who found jobs elsewhere.

1. AOA’s Mina works at a skincare clinic

Former AOA member Mina made allegations against Jimin, one of her bandmates, during her time with the girl band. Photo: FNC Entertainment

When Kwon Mina of AOA dropped out of the group in 2019, her agency refused to give a reason for her sudden departure, according to Soompi. But fans speculated that it might have had to do with the bullying allegations that she made against former bandmate Jimin.

Despite getting embroiled in a year-long scandal that brought to light K-pop’s hidden bullying issue, Mina seems to have gotten back on her feet with a new career. In January 2022, she appeared in a live YouTube broadcast by Exorcist Lee Yoo Yeob where she announced that she had started working at a skincare clinic.

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AOA’s Mina left the group for unknown reasons and is now working at a skincare clinic. Photo: @aoamina_/Instagram

“I recently began working at a skincare clinic run by someone I know. I also plan to continue my activities with a new YouTube channel this year,” she said.

2. AOA’s Yuna became a yoga instructor

Mina’s fellow AOA bandmate Seo Yu-na is also thriving in a different industry. After leaving FNC Entertainment at the start of 2021, she announced on her Instagram page that she had gotten a yoga teaching certificate and is now working as a yoga instructor. She has since kept her followers updated on her life as a yoga teacher, frequently posting photos of herself in complicated yoga and Pilates poses.

3. Pristin’s Kyla was spotted working as a cashier at a carnival

Pristin’s Kyla was on a hiatus for two years before the group disbanded in 2019. Photo: @pristin_gallery/Instagram

In 2017, Kyla Massie of Pristin announced that she was going to be taking a hiatus from group activities due to an injury, according to Koreaboo. It then came as a surprise to many when she was spotted working as a cashier at a Los Angeles carnival despite still being an idol, per the same source.

While it seemed like it was only meant to be a part-time gig, Kyla was unfortunately unable to return to the stage as a K-pop star. In 2019, Pristin disbanded before Kyla made an official return to the group.

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4. Dia’s Somyi became an adult content streamer

Dia’s Somyi has faced controversy for her career change from K-pop idol to broadcasting jockey. Photo: @somsom_o0o/Instagram

Ahn Somyi did not participate in promotions with her girl group, Dia, for three years before the announcement came in January 2022 that her contract had been terminated. Despite her company stating that it was due to health reasons, many believe that the real reason might be due to her participation in adult content creation.

A year before she left the group, Somyi became a broadcasting jockey with Panda TV, an adult streaming platform that frequently features girls in racy clothing. While many fans expressed disappointment with her decision to work in that industry, other fans argued that she earns more money as a jockey than she did as an idol.

Somyi has not addressed the controversy around her career change, but she has posted a few photos of herself in revealing attire on her Instagram.

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K-pop idols

Not all K-pop idols make it as big as BTS, Blackpink or Aespa (who just debuted at Coachella) – like Pristin’s Kyla who was spotted working as a carnival cashier
Mina plans to start a YouTube channel after her bullying scandal with former bandmate Jimin, while Somyi raised eyebrows by becoming a broadcast jockey for the racy PandaTV