BTS’ Suga, IU, TVXQ’s Yunho and more K-pop idols that lived through poverty, co*ckroaches and hungry humble backgrounds
Success can often mask the past. Many of these stars may now be wealthy household names, but their backgrounds were tough, which may have helped give them the strength to succeed.
Blacking up, leashing men: are Mamamoo K-pop’s most controversial group?
Blacking up, leashing men: are Mamamoo K-pop’s most controversial group?
TVXQ’s Yunho
Yunho is now known for his success with one of the pioneering K-pop groups, TVXQ. When he was young, however, his family went bankrupt and he had to provide for them and his younger sister. Later on, his father cut him off financially when he wanted to pursue being a singer, and he was left sleeping rough in subway stations. On January 2019 episode of The Beatles Code, Yunho brought up an incident where he was sleeping in the subway station under a newspaper and a homeless man woke him up saying it was his spot.
Is this the end of Blackpink as we know it?
Is this the end of Blackpink as we know it?
2NE1’s Dara
During her early days on a Philippines audition programme, Dara told fans about her childhood, stating that her father’s business took a downturn, leaving the family without money to even afford snacks, while she had to walk to visit her grandmother instead of taking the bus. Later on, she left the Philippines in search of a better career in South Korea, her homeland, and found success in YG Entertainment and 2NE1, who later went on to sell 66.5 million records.
IU
IU is known now as one of the most successful female solo singer of her generation. Her earnings in 2011 alone were about US$8.2 million and she continues to sell out venues even now, a decade after her debut. However, long before that, during her childhood, her parents fell heavily into debt, leaving her to be shuttled around relatives’ houses while they worked, until eventually she came to live with her grandmother in a small one-room home filled with co*ckroaches. She explained that her relatives mocked her for pursuing her passion in singing and told her to study instead.
K-pop collab showdown: 2 epic boy-girl duets just dropped
K-pop collab showdown: 2 epic boy-girl duets just dropped
BTS’ Suga
BTS is now a global name, with each member raking in millions. However, some of the members hail from far humbler pasts. Suga, for example, was born into a poor family. During their comeback special in 2017, he said that when he was first starting out during his high school days, he often had to choose between eating and transport. When he bought a US$2 bowl of noodles, he would then have to walk home. He also stated he was often not paid for songs he wrote. He would later further talk about his emotional struggles in his mixtape, Agust D.
Twice’s Tzuyu turns 21 – here’s 5 things to know
Twice’s Tzuyu turns 21 – here’s 5 things to know
Goo Hara
The late Goo Hara experienced immense success and popularity after her group, Kara, soared to fame both domestically and globally. However, during her younger years, she was abandoned by her parents who had separated. Her mother fled the scene and her father had no means to financially support the family so he left her and her brother in the care of her aunt instead. After being accepted into an entertainment company at 14, she worked hard at practising dance, singing and acting, and would return home at dawn to sleep for a few hours before heading out again.
Want more stories like this? Sign up here. Follow STYLE on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the world of K-pop and its artists, it's evident that success stories often arise from humble beginnings. The article you provided highlights the challenging backgrounds of several K-pop idols, shedding light on the resilience that shaped their paths to stardom. Let's delve into the concepts and individuals mentioned in the article:
TVXQ’s Yunho:
Yunho, a prominent member of TVXQ, faced financial adversity in his youth. His family experienced bankruptcy, leading him to shoulder the responsibility of providing for them and his younger sister. His pursuit of a singing career was met with opposition from his father, who cut off financial support. Yunho even had to endure homelessness, sleeping in subway stations under newspapers. This challenging period didn't deter him, and he later became a successful member of TVXQ.
2NE1’s Dara:
Dara's journey to success involved overcoming financial hardships in her family. Her father's business downturn left them without even the means for snacks. In pursuit of a better career, she left the Philippines for South Korea, where she eventually found success with YG Entertainment and 2NE1. The group went on to sell millions of records, showcasing Dara's transformation from adversity to stardom.
IU:
IU, now a highly successful solo singer, faced financial struggles during her childhood. Her parents' heavy debts forced her to move between relatives' houses. Eventually, she found herself living in a small one-room home filled with co*ckroaches at her grandmother's place. Despite mockery from relatives about her singing passion, IU persevered and became a renowned figure in the K-pop industry.
BTS’ Suga:
Suga, a member of the globally renowned BTS, emerged from a financially challenging background. Born into a poor family, Suga had to make tough choices during his high school days, often deciding between eating and transportation. He revealed during a comeback special in 2017 that he was not always paid for the songs he wrote. His struggles and emotional journey are further explored in his mixtape, "Agust D."
Goo Hara:
Goo Hara, a member of the successful group Kara, faced family abandonment in her younger years. Her parents separated, with her mother leaving the scene and her father unable to provide financial support. Hara and her brother were left in the care of her aunt. Despite these challenges, she entered an entertainment company at the age of 14, worked diligently on her skills, and achieved fame with Kara.
These stories collectively emphasize the transformative power of resilience and determination, showcasing how these K-pop idols overcame adversity to achieve remarkable success.
