OG SM Entertainment visual Eugene is a living testament that a fangirl can become an idol, too! Read on to know her story of how she was scouted by the agency.
On June 20, The "Original Fairy" of K-pop and "Penthouse" actress Eugene made a special appearance at the SBS entertainment show, "Tikita CAR."
There, she shared various behind-the-scenes stories and looked back at her past popularity as an idol. The idol turned actress revealed how she was able to soar high as a legendary first-gen K-pop star.
Before she debuted as an idol, Eugene was a normal fangirl, and was scouted by SM Entertainment while waiting at the airport!
Former S.E.S Eugene Confesses She Was a Huge H.O.T Fan When She Got Scouted by SM Entertainment
During the show, Eugene piqued the viewers' interest as she shared how she was able to join SM Entertainment.
She revealed that at the age of 17, she took an interest in K-pop, especially in the pioneering group H.O.T. She was living in Guam back then, that was why she was desperate to see them when they visited the country.
Unexpectedly, when she was waiting at the airport, Eugene came across SM Entertainment founder, Lee Soo Man!
Eugene shared, "We exchanged numbers that time, and he contacted me after a few days. He asked me if I could come to Korea and visit them at SM Entertainment."
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"The Penthouse" Actress Eugene Narrates Her Speedy Debut in S.E.S
Following Lee Soo Man's suggestion, that if she wanted to debut in a girl group, Eugene immediately agreed. But the singer-actress had to sacrifice her time on how to balance practice and school because she was still in high school at that time.
Amazingly, she practiced and trained dancing and singing by just watching practice videos that the SM Entertainment founder sent her.
She shared, "I practiced in the summer after receiving a singer's suggestion in the spring of 1997 and debuted in November of that same year."
Eugene added that it was a meaningful encounter to become a huge H.O.T fan and meet Lee Soo Man. The actress expressed her gratitude to them on the show for changing her life's path.
She went on, "I would probably pursue fine arts if weren't for that meaningful encounter."
Eugene debuted in S.E.S in 1997, who eventually disbanded in 2002 after contract expiration with SM Entertainment. She then pursued acting where she met her husband actor Ki Taeyoung.
In 2011, they got married and now have two lovely daughters.
Currently, Eugene is appearing in the SBS hit K-drama, "The Penthouse," as Oh Yoon Hee.
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Written by Eunice Dawson
