Former Stellar member Jeonyul has disclosed that she was misled into filming sexually suggestive scenes when she was just a teenager. In a recent YouTube video focusing on the lives of Koreans, Jeonyul spoke candidly about her experiences, including her current job at a jewelry store in Yongin.
Jeonyul explained that during her time at the store, she earns ₩10,000 KRW (approximately $7.58 USD) per hour and works long hours from 10 AM to 10 PM. Despite her past as a member of a popular K-pop group, many customers do not recognize her. “Because of Stellar’s image, most didn’t realize who I was until I told them,” she noted.
The conversation shifted to her earlier career, particularly the controversial music video for “Marionette,” released in 2014. Jeonyul admitted that when filming, she was unaware of the sexual undertones in some scenes. “I didn’t know the scenes were so racy,” she confessed. It wasn’t until a fellow member prompted her to read the comments online that she understood the implications of her performance, particularly a scene where she spills milk while wearing underwear.
The song and its accompanying video sparked significant debate for their provocative nature, with Jeonyul’s scene drawing particular scrutiny. At the time, she was only 19 and believed she had been assigned the least controversial scenes. “I thought they gave me the least controversial scenes, but they gave me the sexiest ones,” she remarked.
Despite the controversy, Jeonyul acknowledged that “Marionette” played an essential role in propelling the group to fame. “Before the release, we only performed at small festivals outside of Seoul and at military bases,” she explained. “After the song’s release, our schedules were packed for months with college performances.”
Since disbanding from Stellar, Jeonyul has explored acting, recently appearing in a short film. Her journey highlights the complexities faced by young idols in the K-pop industry, where the pressures of fame and the expectations of image can lead to challenging situations.
Jeonyul’s experiences serve as a reminder of the often unseen struggles behind the glamorous facade of the entertainment industry. As she navigates her new path, her legacy as a former idol continues to resonate with fans and the broader community.
