LIGHTSUM Relaunches in Japan After Two-Year Hiatus, Members Recall Financial Struggles

LIGHTSUM, an eight-member girl group launched by CUBE Entertainment in 2021, has faced a challenging path since its debut. On October 25, 2022, members Hwiyeon (휘연) and Jian (지안) departed, and the group continued as a six-member act. Now in their sixth year since debut, the group has endured a prolonged hiatus; their last full-group release, “POSE!”, was in 2022. After nearly two years, they are returning to the stage, shifting their focus to Japan for a “re-debut.”

The extended hiatus not only led to a decline in LIGHTSUM's visibility but also prompted members to share their feelings about waiting for work. Kim Nayoung (김나영) previously revealed that due to the lack of group activities, even her brother, a non-celebrity, told her to “come home for pocket money.” While seemingly poignant and helpless, this statement resonated with fans, highlighting the stark reality that while idols appear glamorous on stage, their private lives can be drastically different when work and exposure diminish.

Unlike typical office workers, Korean idols do not receive a fixed monthly salary. An artist's actual income is usually calculated based on their management contract, activity type, the profit-sharing ratio between the company and the artist, and various expenses such as production, styling, and transportation. Therefore, even occasional activities do not guarantee that artists receive all income directly. For idols who experience long periods without group activities, their income can naturally be affected.

For LIGHTSUM, this prolonged hiatus was particularly unfortunate. Many of the six members had previously participated in audition programs like the *Produce* series, gaining considerable recognition and stage experience. Kim Nayoung, for instance, garnered significant popularity during her time on *Produce 101*, while Han Chowon (한초원) was a highly anticipated trainee on the show, ultimately missing out on the debut group due to voting manipulation. Their formation into LIGHTSUM under CUBE Entertainment was met with high expectations from fans, who hoped they would make a significant impact in the girl group market, only for the group's activities to gradually decrease.

Although members were not entirely inactive during the hiatus, they released unit works, individual covers, and other musical content. In early 2026, LIGHTSUM also formed a unit with Lee Sangah (이상아), Han Chowon, and Kim Juhyeon (김주현) to release a single, and members like Han Chowon and Kim Nayoung continued to maintain their visibility through various formats. However, for a girl group, a long period without an official full-group comeback can easily lead to public memory fading.

Now, LIGHTSUM has decided to change their battlefield, viewing Japan as a stage for a fresh start. This move involves not only releasing Japanese music but also significantly aligning their overall styling, music, and promotional methods with Japanese idol culture, emphasizing a “Kawaii” concept. Their preparations for this relaunch are documented in the original documentary “Re,” released on the Japanese OTT platform ABEMA.

In the documentary, members admitted that during their long period of inactivity, they worried, “Will fans forget us?” When presented with the company's new “Kawaii” concept, they candidly expressed their initial surprise, stating they “never expected it to turn out this way.” However, after discussions and renewed cohesion among the members, they resolved to put more effort into their performances, determined not to become “artists who disappear without a trace.” Instead, they hope that years from now, people will remember, “They really worked hard.”

The news of LIGHTSUM's shift to Japan sparked considerable discussion among Korean netizens. Many users revisited Kim Nayoung's past performances and activities during *Produce 101*, lamenting that despite receiving significant attention back then, she has gradually faded from public view due to the group's long period of inactivity.

Netizens exclaimed, “Nayoung was really pretty and cute before, I hope she does well,” “I really liked her during *Produce*, I hope this succeeds,” and “This group clearly has many pretty members who can sing.” Others commented, “It's really hard for small to medium-sized idol groups to become popular.” Some even expressed surprise, noting that even as non-K-pop fans, they had heard of LIGHTSUM, yet the group remained relatively low-profile.

Han Chowon's fans also voiced their disappointment, recalling her prominence during *Produce 48*, only for her to miss the final debut group due to the show's voting manipulation scandal. After joining CUBE and becoming a LIGHTSUM member, her career did not gain the expected attention. Some fans stated that they started following LIGHTSUM because of Han Chowon and found the group's long period of inactivity regrettable.

Some netizens directed criticism at CUBE Entertainment, questioning the company's lack of sufficient activities and exposure opportunities after the group's debut. They argued that “such a long hiatus is too regrettable for a girl group” and suggested, “Either let them go or promote them properly; keeping them in limbo is truly agonizing.” However, these are individual netizen opinions and not official statements from the company regarding the group's management.

Now, LIGHTSUM's decision to relaunch in Japan represents not just a market change but an opportunity to re-prove themselves for a group that debuted five years ago. From gaining attention on audition programs to experiencing dwindling group activities, and now embracing a new “Kawaii” style on the Japanese stage, their journey has been far from easy.

Whether this Japanese “re-debut” will allow LIGHTSUM to regain popularity and find their rightful place on stage remains the primary focus for fans. For these members, who have dedicated years to becoming idols, perhaps more important than how long they are remembered is the chance to finally step back into the familiar spotlight.