Soyeon of (G)I-DLE reveals creative struggles despite ₩1 billion monthly royalties: 'Every day is a slump'

Jeon Soyeon (전소연), leader of the K-pop girl group (G)I-DLE, has established herself in the music industry with a string of hit songs including "TOMBOY," "Nxde," and "Queencard." Beyond her role as a group leader, she is also recognized as a talented producer. She previously revealed that at its peak, her monthly royalty income could reach ₩1 billion (approximately US$730,000), a disclosure that garnered significant attention. However, despite appearing to be at the pinnacle of her career, she recently admitted that her impressive achievements conceal unrevealed anxieties and periods of creative low.

On May 5, Jeon Soyeon appeared on JTBC's “Newsroom” for an exclusive interview, where she discussed the process of creating numerous hit songs and her feelings about her upcoming solo album.

With the consecutive successes of "TOMBOY," "Nxde," and "Queencard," Jeon Soyeon has solidified her status as a producer. She previously shared in an online program that her "highest monthly royalty income reached ₩1 billion," a revelation that surprised many at the time.

However, behind these brilliant achievements lies a continuous struggle with herself. Jeon Soyeon stated that writing songs takes her a very long time, "at least about a month for each song." Her signature track, "TOMBOY," took an entire year to create.

She recalled that to write "TOMBOY," she composed dozens of songs over a year before finally arriving at the track. "This song also brought the group its greatest success, so I particularly love and cherish it," she added.

Facing ever-increasing external expectations, Jeon Soyeon admitted that creative pressure constantly follows her. She candidly stated, "I’m scared every day, and I’m in a slump every day." Whenever she starts writing a song, she can't help but doubt herself, asking, "How did I even write such good songs? Have I run out of talent? Is it over?"

Even with numerous successful works under her belt, she repeatedly falls into self-doubt. However, Jeon Soyeon also shared that she has gradually learned to coexist with this fear. "As long as I silently persevere, there will always be a moment when I overcome it," she said. Even when she feels "this is truly the end," she chooses to grit her teeth and persist, believing that "ultimately, those who endure will win."

Meanwhile, Jeon Soyeon’s first full-length solo album, "An Amazing Life" (《끝내주는 인생》), is set to be officially released on May 7. She described the album as "a work filled with the most honest self of 29-year-old Jeon Soyeon." She also shared a snippet of the title track, "I'm Quitting" (〈퇴사할게여〉). Discussing the inspiration behind the song, she expressed her hope to "offer a true sense of liberation to everyone exhausted by the pressures of real life."

Additionally, during the program, Jeon Soyeon mentioned Minami, a junior artist and member of the girl group RESCENE, whom she met while serving as a judge on an audition program. She warmly stated, "Thank you for calling me teacher. Seeing you actively promoting so coolly now makes me proud. I hope we can meet again on a bigger stage someday." Her words showcased her affection for her junior, adding a warm atmosphere to the end of the show.