Annie of Allday Project is currently the most popular female Kpop idol because of her origin.
Annie is the daughter of Chung Yoo Kyung, Chairman of the department store business of Shinsegae Group - the largest luxury retail and distribution empire in Korea.
Annie's grandmother is Lee Myung Hee, Chairwoman of Shinsegae Group and the youngest daughter of Samsung Group founder Lee Byung Chul.
As soon as The Black Label company introduced Annie to the rookie group Allday Project, there were rumors that this girl was favored by producer Teddy (founder of The Black Label), easily becoming a Kpop idol thanks to her "huge" family background.
Many people even suspected that Annie only considered idol work as a walk and did not put much effort into it.
In a recent appearance on the online entertainment program Salon Drip 2, Annie frankly shared about her probationary journey, firmly deniing the rumor of receiving special treatment for coming from a tycoon family.
When host Jang Do Yeon asked if Annie was cast for outstanding appearance or family background? Annie denied it and added that she personally attended the audition to become a trainee at The Black Label.
According to Annie, like many other trainees, she was trained for 4 years, mostly distance training while studying abroad in the US.
I study online, record weekly review videos and send them to the company to receive feedback. Every time I return to Korea during my vacation, I come to the company as if it was my full-time job, the female idol shared.
Despite the constant gossip surrounding her family, Annie emphasized that her debut path was opened with perseverance and effort, not without privileges.
Also on the show, Annie revealed the close relationship between the Allday Project members. The Xinsegae Group's daughter often invites the whole group to her house during late practice sessions, especially when ordering food at the company makes her feel shy.
My family loves all members. They really like tarzzan. I'm not the type of person to be very dynamic, but that's what my family wants, so they really like tarzzan," Annie shared.
Right from the beginning of her career, Annie was labeled "the idol of a tycoon", even having to face uncomfortable prejudices about her status as an idol.
But on Mnet's "L1ve Wire", Annie stated, "Instead of feeling pressured, I wanted to change their perception by expressing more of my musical and performing abilities."
The singer showed a calm and mature attitude: "People mention this issue wherever I go, but it's something I have to accept naturally."
