After failing to join BABYMONSTER's member lineup, "legendary trainee" Kang Seo Jin confirmed that she left YG. After training under the agency for more than 8 years, what's next for the idol aspirant?

Kang Seo Jin in 2014 to 2022: 'K-pop Star' Season 4, Trainee Life Under YG

In 2014, Kang Seo Jin entered the K-pop industry after joining "K-pop Star" Season 4. When she participated in the competition, she became popular as a trainee who resembled the late Sulli.

Eventually, she was eliminated after ranking fourth overall in the 19th episode. However, she already established her growing fandom, thanks to her excellent vocals.

In 2015, it was reported that Kang Seo Jin officially signed with YG Entertainment, with the aim of debuting as a member of YG's new girl group BABYMONSTER.

With this news, her fans rejoiced and were already claiming Seo Jin would fill the role of the main vocalist of the group due to her voice that reminds listeners of 2NE1 Park Bom.

Among YG trainees, Kang Seo Jin was deemed the most legendary and popular. She had been carrying the group name BABYMONSTER alone for almost a decade.

While the members weren't confirmed yet at the time, YG stans were assured that Seo Jin will definitely debut under this group.

Throughout her training years, numerous pre-debut performances of the trainee were shared online frequently, and viewers expressed their confidence in Seo Jin's skills and visuals.

Unfortunately, as Seo Jin got older, K-pop fans were also starting to doubt if she would still debut.

In 2021, it was initially rumored that the female trainee already parted ways with YG Entertainment. However, this claim was put to rest by a company producer after stating that Seo Jin was still under the company.

In 2022, the hopes of fans gradually decreased when YG hinted that BABYMONSTER would be comprised of trainees mostly in their mid-teens.

Seo Jin, who was born on September 25, 2000, was already 22 years old at the time.

Where is Kang Seo Jin in 2023? Idol Trainee Confirms She Left YG

On January 27, Kang Seo Jin finally opened her personal Instagram account and immediately garnered more than 12k followers five days after it was launched.

On this day, she also uploaded her recent photos, where Seo Jin flaunted her peach-like visuals while holding a guitar.

As fans got curious about her whereabouts, a fan decided to personally ask her if she was still a YG trainee, and Seo Jin confirmed she already left the company.

Despite this, she attested that she is not giving up yet on her dream of becoming a singer and asked her supporters to look forward to her future plans.

She also gifted fans her short cover of NewJeans' "Ditto" through her IG story, showcasing her heavenly vocals.

READ MORE: BABYMONSTER Profile: YG New Girl Group Members, Age, Fun Facts, More Details!

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Written by Eunice Dawson.