Lee Kaeun revealed real feelings after learning she was supposed to debut in IZ*ONE - if it wasn't for the rigged lineup.
On February 22, the former After School member Lee Kaeun hosted episode 1 of the web content program, "KakaoTalk Room," posted on the official YouTube of Jaemiroweb.
On this day, idols and dancers who appeared in Korea's top survival shows gathered and talked about various "spicy" topics about their trainee and contestant life experiences.
Lee Kaeun Confesses Real Feelings After Knowing She Was Supposed To Debut in IZ*ONE
During the program, the celebrities revealed the show they participated in and Lee Kaeun replied that she came from Mnet's "Produce 48," which aired in 2018.
The talk was going smoothly when she brought back the huge controversy that happened after the show, saying:
"My final ranking is No. 14! (But it turns out I was actually 5th place."
At the time, she failed to debut in the final 12, but in late 2020, it was revealed that the show's rankings were actually manipulated and some of IZ*ONE members were actually rigged in, stealing the spots to their rightful owners.
ALSO READ: LE SSERAFIM Kim Chaewon's Status After IZ*ONE's Voting Manipulation Re-Examined
In the same year, the list of the victims was revealed and one of them was Lee Kaeun.
"On that day, there was an article with the list of victims. I was a dermatologist at the time, and after the article was released, I received many calls and texts. So I was like, 'What is this about? Did I do something wrong?"
Although she was okay now, Lee Kaeun confessed that it became harder for her especially when people felt pity for her.
"But now that I'm talking about it, it didn't make me feel good after learning about it. It was something that I hoped people would forget, but now it suddenly felt like I was being labeled as the victim in the whole world.
Although I'm doing okay now, it became hard when people around me see me with pity."
Lastly, Lee Kaeun revealed how her mother reacted to it, saying:
"However, my mother was so happy that her daughter actually made it! So, she was still satisfied with it!"
Lee Kaeun Activities
Meanwhile, after joining After School in 2012, Lee Kaeun enjoyed initial success, but she wasn't able to reach her career's peak due to her co-members' departure.
Her last chance to pursue being an idol would be after joining Mnet's "Produce 48," and her fans were hopeful she would debut in the final lineup of IZ*ONE.
With her top-tier skills, visuals and personality, she started strong and ranked first place in three elimination rounds from the show, thus, it was a surprise to viewers when she fell to No. 14 and failed to debut.
In 2019, she decided not to pursue being an idol and left After School, later on, starting anew as a full-fledged actress.
READ MORE: LIGHTSUM Chowon Opens Up on Real Rank in IZ*ONE Without 'Produce 48' Vote Manipulation
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Written by Eunice Dawson.
