'School Violence Controversy' Kim Ga-ram Becomes an Actor, Kwon Eun-bin Retires: 'Second Lives' of Former Girl Group Members [★FOCUS]

*This content was translated by AI.

Former girl group members Kim Ga-ram, Kwon Eun-bin, and Jung Eun-woo are each starting new lives in their own ways.

Kim Ga-ram, formerly of LE SSERAFIM, announced her new beginning as an actress through Management Koo. On the 16th, Management Koo shared news of signing an exclusive contract with Kim Ga-ram, stating, "Kim Ga-ram's daily efforts and growth to achieve her dreams were the key factor in deciding to sign an exclusive contract."

According to her agency, Kim Ga-ram is currently pursuing new challenges by simultaneously engaging in acting training, learning English and Japanese, and self-studying guitar.

Management Koo added, "Kim Ga-ram's diligence, passion, and relentless attitude toward learning and growth will be a great asset to her future acting career. We will spare no effort to provide full support so she can expand her activities more broadly."

Kim Ga-ram debuted as a member of LE SSERAFIM in 2022 but left the group later that year amid a school violence controversy. It was revealed that she was recognized as a perpetrator of a violent incident by the School Violence Countermeasures Self-Governing Committee and received a 'Type 5' (Type 5 disciplinary action). At the time, LE SSERAFIM's agency, Source Music, stated, "We sincerely apologize for causing inconvenience to many."

In contrast, Kwon Eun-bin, formerly of CLC, has decided to leave the entertainment industry.

On this day, Kwon Eun-bin shared her retirement news through her personal account, saying, "During my approximately 10 years in the entertainment industry, the excessive love and support from fans brought me happiness at every moment, and I am truly grateful." She continued, "After much deliberation, I have decided to live as an ordinary person."

She added, "Looking back on the past years, I felt that most of my time was spent struggling with emptiness and anxiety about the present and future rather than with love and passion for my work. I was wasting my precious time on meaningless years that offered no benefit to me for several years and on relationships that were nothing more than empty shells without any nutritional value."

She further stated, "These days, I am spending time filled with new and happy emotions more than ever before. Going forward, I plan to conclude all my entertainment activities after completing the overseas group schedule for CLC that was already scheduled in advance."

Previously, last month, Cube Entertainment announced the termination of Kwon Eun-bin's exclusive contract. Later, it was revealed that Kwon Eun-bin requested the direct deletion of her profile on the online wiki platform, sparking retirement rumors. At the time, Kwon Eun-bin explained the reason for the deletion request, saying, "I have effectively ceased all entertainment activities. Going forward, I wish to return to an ordinary life and live quietly."

Kwon Eun-bin joined CLC as a member in 2016, but the group disbanded in 2022. As an actress, she appeared in dramas such as 'Bad Papa', 'Unexpected Family', 'Blue Spring from Afar', 'Dear M', and 'Check-in Hanyang'.

There are also cases of individuals building new lives in completely different professions outside the entertainment industry. Jung Eun-woo, formerly of PRISTIN, is currently working as a counseling director at a plastic surgery clinic.

Recently, Jung Eun-woo appeared on the YouTube channel 'One Mic' to share updates on her life after PRISTIN's disbandment.

She said, "After disbandment, I realized I needed to earn money and make a living. I started wondering what I should do to survive." She continued, "In my early twenties, I worked as a coordinator at a hospital. I was also at a dermatology clinic, a liposuction hospital, and a clothing store. I worked at a marketing company and later served as a counseling director at a hospital. I enjoy speaking and also like psychological counseling. That's how I ended up at this hospital."

Jung Eun-woo also recalled her feelings shortly after the group's disbandment. She confessed, "When I was working at a hospital in Gangnam, some celebrities I knew recognized me and asked, 'You work here?' When I was young, that was so embarrassing." However, she added, "As I got older, those feelings disappeared. I wanted to do professional work and chose a career with a future."

She also stated that she has no lingering attachment to the entertainment industry. She said, "The age for being an idol has passed. (After PRISTIN disbanded) I was in a girl group with members who shared my mindset, and that experience showed me reality. At that time, I felt sad, angry, and resentful. But now, I think about it gratefully. Isn't that an experience not everyone can easily have? I believe it was a satisfying and meaningful time, so I have no regrets."

Jung Eun-woo appeared on Mnet's idol survival program 'Produce 101' in 2016. She debuted with the girl group PRISTIN in 2017, but the group disbanded just two years later in 2019. Later that same year, some PRISTIN members formed HINAPIA, but their activities ended the following year.

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*This content was translated by AI.