These female idols proved that one can obtain success and wealth through hard work and passion.
From BoA to IU, here are the most successful female K-pop stars who didn't go to college!
As per the Korean College Entrance Exam System, 18-year-old students are required to take the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), especially during their final year in high school.
Even K-pop idols aren't exempted from this despite their busy schedules, thus, fans' attention is usually focused on the stars who will take it and those who plan to delay their college.
Before, idols were expected to take the CSAT no matter what, but the criticism of those who decided to fulfill their idol career first lessened as the years passed by.
In fact, you wouldn't believe that some of the current most successful idols didn't even enter college, decreasing discrimination against those who didn't take the exam.
1. BoA
Born in 1986, BoA was only 13 years old when she debuted as a soloist in 2000 under SM Entertainment.
Upon her debut, BoA garnered huge success in Korea and Japan and due to this, she had to drop out of school to focus on her career. After middle school, she finished her high school by taking the GED.
At the time, her choice was very crucial. Instead of choosing to continue college, BoA took singing, dancing, and language training in Korea and abroad.
In an interview in the past, BoA explained that due to her busy schedule, she will most likely become a "ghost student" who rarely attends class; thus, it was better to not attend college because she thought studying would be "worthless."
Even without a college degree, BoA's current net worth is $25 million and she still stands as one of the most iconic K-pop idols to date.
2. IU
Similar to BoA, IU debuted as a singer at the very young age of 15 in 2007 under LOEN Entertainment (hereinafter Kakao Ent).
While busy establishing her name as a solo act, IU is also pursuing to finish her middle school and high school years amid her hectic days.
However, she had to make the hard decision of giving up on college to focus on her singing and expanding her acting career.
When she announced her plans, a heated debate about it arose, with some claiming that she should still take the CSAT and obtain her academic degree.
Regarding this, IU expressed her conviction that if she attends college, she won't be able to do it properly because of her profession.
It seemed like all the sacrifices of IU paid off as she ranks as one of the richest female idols with a net worth of $40 million.
3. Suzy
In 2010, Bae Suzy debuted as a member of Miss A, launched by JYP Entertainment. At the time, the group had grown as a top girl group while she was still attending high school.
Working as a singer and actor at the same time, Suzy transferred from a general high school to an art high school to graduate.
But ahead of graduating from high school, Suzy showed a negative stance on college entrance exams.
At the time, she announced that she would rather concentrate on her activities. Just like BoA and IU, Suzy explained:
"I didn't go to college because I wouldn't be able to attend school often."
After not taking the CSAT, Suzy focused on her solo career as an actress and has now a net worth of $30 million.
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Written by Eunice Dawson.
