Jeonyul, a former member of the South Korean girl group Stellar, has opened up about her past experiences in the entertainment industry during a recent YouTube interview. The singer, who now works at a jewelry store in Yongin, disclosed that she was misled into filming sexually suggestive scenes when she was just 19 years old.
In the video, Jeonyul explained her current job, sharing that she earns approximately ₩10,000 KRW (around $7.58 USD) per hour, working from 10 AM to 10 PM. She recounted, “I begin working from 10 AM and get off work at 10 PM in the evening. I get paid a little more than ₩10,000 KRW per hour.” When asked if customers recognize her, she noted that most do not, and many are surprised to learn about her former career as an idol.
Reflecting on her time with Stellar, Jeonyul revealed that she was not fully aware of the implications of the scenes she was part of in the group’s controversial song “Marionette.” Released in 2014, the music video attracted significant attention due to its provocative imagery and themes. Jeonyul mentioned, “I didn’t know the scenes were so racy. After the music video was released, a member asked me if I had read the comments and asked me if I knew what the milk scene was suggesting.”
It was only after reading the online comments that she understood the nature of her scenes, particularly one where she spills milk onto her body while dressed in underwear. “At the time, because I was so young, I thought they gave me the least controversial scenes, but they gave me the sexiest ones,” she added.
Despite the controversy surrounding “Marionette,” Jeonyul acknowledged that the song played a pivotal role in the group’s rise to fame. “Before the release of Marionette, we only performed at small festivals outside of Seoul and at military bases, but after the song’s release, our schedules were packed for months with college performances,” she explained. This surge in popularity marked a significant turning point for the group.
Since Stellar disbanded, Jeonyul has been exploring opportunities in acting, with her most recent project being a short film. Her journey reflects the challenges and transformations faced by many former idols in the K-pop industry as they attempt to forge new paths beyond their initial fame.
As she continues to navigate her career, Jeonyul’s candid revelations serve as a reminder of the pressures and complexities involved in the world of entertainment, particularly for young artists.