Oh Yeon Seo Recalls 'Failed' K-pop Group: 'I Debuted Suddenly'
Did you know that actress Oh Yeon Seo used to be a K-pop idol? Despite her beauty and skills, she recalled why the group never reached stardom.
On May 29, the MBC entertainment program "Radio Star" featured actress Oh Yeon Seo, along with Song Seung Heon, Lee Si Eon, and Jang Gyuri.
Here, Oh Yeon Seo looked back on her career as a short-lived K-pop idol, before transforming into a full-fledged actress.
(Photo : Oh Yeon Seo (News1))
The conversation particularly started when the MCs brought up the fact that some people don't know about her, which is being a second-generation K-pop idol.
Hearing this, Yeon Seo confirmed her debut in a trio girl group called LUV (Love YoUr Voice), alongside singer Jo Eun Byul and actress Jeon Hyebin. At the time, she was promoted under her real name, Haetnim.
In particular, the team debuted under SidusHQ in 2002 with their first album "Story Orange Girl," and their track "Orange Girl" garnered decent success in South Korea.
(Photo : Oh Yeon Seo, LUV (News1))
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They are known for their massive potential and are also being dubbed as the next S.E.S. Unfortunately, after a few releases, they parted ways in 2003, around eight months after actively promoting and decided to pursue their respective paths.
Regarding the reason they failed to cement the group in the entertainment scene, Oh Yeon Seo explained:
"I think it didn't do well because it coincided with the World Cup season. Also, our rivals at the time were Sugar, M.I.LK., etc."
In 2002, the FIFA World Cup was hosted in South Korea from May to June, the same time they were promoting their first album.
In the broadcast then, the MCs along with Oh recalled her days as LUV where idols performed live rather than relying on AR.
Kim Gura teased her and said:
"It's different from the sound source."
However, Oh Yeon Seo clarified:
"It was 100% live at the time and there were still no in-ears."
Kim Gura agreed and added:
"These days, it’s a bit overlooked, but back then, idols sang completely live.”
As the topic continued, the idol-turned-actress also confessed that she wasn't originally supposed to debut under the group, but it was actress Hwang Bora.
(Photo : Oh Yeon Seo, Hwang Bo Ra (News1))
Oh Yeon Seo shared an anecdote about why she ended up being the third member, saying:
"I suddenly debuted. Originally, Hwang Bora was going to debut, but she couldn't, so I was cast. I debuted after preparing for about 4 months, but the activities were very difficult and I missed my mom and dad. I didn't have any regrets because the activities ended quickly."
(Photo : Oh Yeon Seo (Singles))
Meanwhile, after disbanding, the then-Haetnim changed her stage name to Oh Yeon Seo and made her name known as an actress.
She established her top-tier actress status following her high-rated works such as "Come! Jang Bo Ri," "My Sassy Girl," "A Korean Odyssey," and "Café Minamdang."
READ MORE: Oh Yeon Seo Net Worth: How Rich is the ‘Cafe Minamdang’ Star?
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Written by Eunice Dela Cruz