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

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

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.

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.