Son Na-eun Speaks Out: The Real Story Behind Her Apink Departure

Son Na-eun's departure from Apink in April 2022 marked the end of an 11-year journey that began with the group's debut in 2011. During their early years, Apink achieved remarkable success, securing four rookie awards, including recognition at the prestigious Mnet Asian Music Awards and Golden Disk Awards.

While maintaining her presence in the group, she ventured into acting, appearing in notable dramas such as "Dinner Mate" (2020) and "Ghost Doctor" (2022). However, scheduling conflicts eventually led to her difficult decision to leave both IST Entertainment and Apink, despite participating in the group's 10th-anniversary album music videos.

Son Na-eun's Journey with Apink: From Debut to Departure

In February 2011, A Cube Entertainment announced Son Na-eun as the first trainee for their upcoming girl group Apink. Her initial exposure came through appearances in Beast's music videos, setting the stage for what would become a significant career in entertainment.

Early years and group success

Apink's official debut on April 19, 2011, with "Seven Springs of Apink" marked the beginning of Son Na-eun's journey in the K-pop industry. The group's breakthrough came through their appearance on the reality show "Birth of a Family". Their remarkable first year culminated in multiple achievements, notably:

Mnet Asian Music Awards - Rookie Award
Korean Culture & Entertainment Awards
Golden Disk Awards
High 1 Seoul Music Awards

Growing interest in acting

Subsequently, Son Na-eun began exploring acting opportunities, making her debut in the 2012 historical drama The Great Seer. Her educational commitment paralleled her artistic pursuits as she attended Dongguk University's Department of Theatre and Film, furthermore being selected as a school ambassador alongside Girls' Generation's Yoona.

Balancing dual careers

Throughout her career, Son Na-eun primarily balanced her commitments between Apink and acting projects. She appeared in notable productions including Childless Comfort, Second 20s, and Cinderella with Four Knights. Additionally, she demonstrated her artistic versatility by co-writing the song "Cliche" with fellow member Chorong for their album Dear.

The challenges of maintaining dual careers became increasingly apparent. "As a singer, I received feedback very quickly. In contrast, with acting, you need to sustain your character's presence for a long time during filming, requiring a different kind of stamina," Son Na-eun reflected on the distinct demands of both professions.

The Turning Point: Making the Difficult Decision

The pivotal moment in Son Na-eun's career trajectory arrived when scheduling conflicts began affecting her ability to balance group activities with individual pursuits. After signing with YG Entertainment in April 2021, she faced mounting challenges in coordinating her commitments.

Scheduling conflicts and challenges

The complexity of managing dual careers reached its peak during Apink's 10th-anniversary album preparations. Though Na-eun participated in music video recordings, her concurrent drama filming commitments prevented her from joining promotional activities. The situation intensified when multiple project delays, primarily due to unforeseen circumstances, created overlapping schedules that proved impossible to reconcile.

Discussions with management

Both IST Entertainment and YG Entertainment engaged in extensive discussions about Na-eun's future with Apink. Rather than making an impulsive decision, all parties involved - including the members - participated in careful deliberations. Specifically, when YG Entertainment suggested her departure during contract negotiations, Na-eun initially refused, stating, "How could I abandon a group that made me the person I am today".

Personal reflections on change

Na-eun's decision to leave Apink emerged from a place of deep consideration rather than immediate necessity. In her own words: "We were together for a long time in our teens and 20s, so it remains a beautiful and precious memory". She acknowledged the impact on both members and fans:

Expressed sincere apologies to supporters
Recognized the disappointment of fellow members
Maintained respect for the group's legacy

Ultimately, Na-eun chose to embrace change rather than harbor regrets. "Instead of feeling wronged or regretful, I decided to let things go as it did". This perspective highlighted her mature approach to a challenging career transition, acknowledging that sometimes paths must diverge for individual growth.

Behind the Headlines: Understanding the Industry Context

The K-pop industry's transition from idol to actor represents a significant career path, particularly as entertainment companies recognize the limited career span of idol groups. This shift reflects broader industry dynamics where management companies actively prepare their talents for diverse entertainment roles.

Idol-to-actor transition trends

K-pop idols generally receive lower compensation for acting roles, with most earning approximately ₩5 million per episode, compared to established actors who command ₩50 million or more. Nevertheless, directors often prefer casting idols, primarily because of their existing fan base and cost-effectiveness. The industry has witnessed a notable evolution, as idols now pursue both singing and acting simultaneously after debut.

Career management pressures

Behind the glamorous facade lies a demanding reality. Idol-actors face intense pressure to maintain their public image while developing new skills. The training system remains particularly challenging, with only 5-10% of aspiring talents passing initial auditions. Financial arrangements often favor management companies, with typical profit ratios ranging from 80-20 to 90-10 between company and artist.

Public perception challenges

Public skepticism toward idol-actors stems from a deeply rooted industry hierarchy. Traditional actors generally receive more respect than idols, and the transition often faces criticism regarding acting abilities. Critics argue that some idols receive roles based on popularity rather than talent. Yet, successful transitions do occur, particularly when performers demonstrate genuine dedication to their craft.

The industry's evolution has led to a shift in perspective, as being an idol is no longer viewed merely as a stepping stone to acting. Modern K-pop stars increasingly see their music careers as long-term commitments rather than transitional phases, marking a significant change from earlier generations' approach to entertainment careers.

Life After Apink: Focusing on Acting

Following her departure from Apink, Son Na-eun signed an exclusive contract with YG Entertainment in May 2021, marking a significant shift in her career focus.

Recent drama successes

Presently, Son Na-eun's acting portfolio showcases diverse roles across multiple successful productions. Her performance in Ghost Doctor (2022) as Oh Su-jeong demonstrated her growing versatility. Moreover, she portrayed Kang Han-na in Agency (2023), a role that challenged her to embody the complex character of a chaebol's youngest daughter.

Working with YG Entertainment

The partnership with YG Entertainment opened new opportunities for Son Na-eun's acting career. The agency pledged their full support, stating, "We will provide our full support so she can display her full capacity". Accordingly, this collaboration positioned her alongside established actors in YG's roster, including:

Yoo In Na
Kang Dong Won
Lee Sung Kyung
Cha Seung Won
Kim Hee Ae

Evolution as an actress

Son Na-eun's growth as an actress primarily manifests through her approach to character development. "I approached this with a sense of responsibility rather than pressure," she reflected on her role in Family X Romance. Essentially, her dedication to improvement shows in her willingness to accept feedback, stating, "I look at all the feedback because I believe all reactions are a form of interest".

Undoubtedly, her recent projects showcase her artistic evolution. In The Tale of Lady Ok, the production team praised her strong presence, noting how her character would "add significant weight to the development of the plot". Her upcoming role in Romance in the House as Byeon Mi-rae represents another step in her acting journey, where she portrays a responsible eldest daughter managing family dynamics.

Looking Forward: Son Na-eun's Future Plans

First and foremost, Son Na-eun's acting career continues to flourish with significant upcoming projects. Her latest venture involves a starring role in JTBC's weekend drama Family X Melo, where she portrays Byun Mi-rae, a dedicated eldest daughter managing her family's challenges.

Upcoming projects and goals

Currently, Son Na-eun's schedule includes two major productions:

Family X Melo - Playing the role of a responsible product manager in a large supermarket
The Tale of Lady Ok - Making a special appearance as the real Ok Tae Young, a character crucial to the story's development

The production team of The Tale of Lady Ok emphasized that "Son Na-eun's strong presence will add significant weight to the development of the plot".

Personal growth journey

Throughout her artistic evolution, Son Na-eun has discovered a profound connection with acting. "I like that acting enables me to experience things I'd never be able to experience otherwise in my entire life". In addition, she expressed enthusiasm about her role in Family X Melo, stating, "I was drawn to Mi-rae, who lives fiercely for her family".

Message to supporters

Expressing her dedication to her craft, Son Na-eun shared, "I love this job so much and I want to keep doing it, and I'm greedy too. My goal is to work steadily for a long time". Consequently, she has demonstrated her commitment by immersing herself in character preparation, studying medical terminology and watching documentaries for previous roles.

Her journey continues to evolve as she explores diverse roles. "I want to try a romantic comedy that's sweet and soft and pink... I want to try the action, and I want to try something like a refreshing cider". This versatility showcases her determination to grow as an actress while maintaining authentic connections with her supporters.

FAQS

Commonly asked questions about Son Na-eun's career transition and future plans reveal interesting insights into her journey:

Q: Why did Son Na-eun leave Apink? Primarily, scheduling conflicts made it impossible to balance group activities with her acting commitments. Although she filmed music videos for the 10th-anniversary album, she couldn't participate in promotional activities.

Q: Does Son Na-eun still maintain contact with Apink members? Currently, she isn't in regular contact with the members. Indeed, she supports them from afar, noting how she felt pleased about Eunji's successful project "Miss Night and Day".

Q: What were the challenges in managing both careers? The main challenge stemmed from the different nature of feedback in both professions. Hence, while singing provided immediate audience response, acting required sustained character immersion over extended periods.

Q: How did Son Na-eun handle the transition period? She approached the change with maturity, stating, "I decided to let it go rather than be sad". Likewise, she maintains respect for her time with Apink, considering it a "beautiful and precious memory".

Q: What are Son Na-eun's current career priorities? Her focus lies firmly on acting projects. Nonetheless, she continues to honor her past, stating she will "engrave the name 'Apink's Son Na-eun' in my heart".

Q: How does Son Na-eun view her future in entertainment? She expresses determination to prove herself worthy of her background, aiming to "show better things in the future, so that I don't bring shame to that name".