EXID's Seo Hyelin Reveals 'Up & Down' Success Didn't Bring Big Payday, Now Runs Taco Shop with Impressive Monthly Sales

South Korean girl group EXID shot to fame with their viral hit "Up & Down" (위아래), reaching the peak of their careers. However, member Seo Hyelin (서혜린) recently revealed that even at the height of their popularity, the group's actual income was not as high as the public might have imagined. She has since ventured into the restaurant business, opening a taco shop in Anguk, Seoul, which reportedly generates an impressive average monthly revenue of approximately 150 million Korean Won (about 110,000 USD), sparking widespread discussion.

On the 14th, the YouTube channel "Human Story" released a video titled "Why is Hyelin, a former popular girl group EXID member, working in a restaurant?" In the program, Seo Hyelin shared updates on her current life and spoke for the first time about her actual earnings during her time with EXID, unexpectedly exposing the realities behind the entertainment industry.

EXID released "Up & Down" in 2014, which initially garnered little attention. However, a fan-recorded fancam of a member performing the song went viral online, causing the track to unexpectedly re-enter the music charts and propel EXID to stardom. The group then followed up with hits like "AH YEAH," "Hot Pink," and "L.I.E," becoming a representative case of a "successful reversal" in the K-pop scene.

While many assumed that EXID's immense popularity would have translated into substantial earnings for its members, Seo Hyelin's answer came as a surprise. She revealed that their income primarily came from music streaming royalties and management fees, with music royalties split at a "9 to 1" ratio.