The conversation turned toward the challenges of group life when MC Jang Do Yeon inquired about the difficulties Somi faced after her meteoric rise to fame through the survival audition program Produce 101. Despite the immense success and public adoration I.O.I received, Somi revealed that the internal pressures of maintaining professional standards while navigating an exhausting schedule often led to moments of friction and necessary correction among the eleven members.
Professional Discipline and the Monthly Team Meeting
Jeon Somi, who was the youngest member (maknae) of I.O.I, described a rigorous environment where the group’s schedule was managed with surgical precision. To ensure that the group remained cohesive despite their diverse backgrounds and the temporary nature of their contract, the members established a tradition of holding mandatory monthly team meetings. According to Somi, these meetings were intended to foster team spirit and resolve any simmering tensions before they could impact the group’s performance.
“After our debut, we were incredibly busy handling schedules every single day,” Somi explained. “Even with that grueling routine, we held team meetings once a month to keep our team spirit strong. However, because each person had things to share, these meetings often ran quite long, even if everyone only spoke briefly.”
The anecdote that captured the most attention involved Kim Sejeong, who was often regarded as a pillar of maturity within the group. Somi recalled an instance where her own physical exhaustion led to a lapse in etiquette, prompting a swift intervention from Sejeong. Somi had attempted to lie down during a meeting to rest her eyes for the following day’s schedule, while the older members remained seated on the floor.
“Sejeong unnie said to me, ‘Somi, the older members are still holding the meeting and sitting on the floor, so I don’t think it’s right for you to be lying down,’” Somi recounted. She lightened the atmosphere by mimicking Sejeong’s famously polite yet firm tone, which reportedly prompted laughter from the studio audience and the other guests. Somi admitted that there were several occasions where she struggled to stay awake, often dozing off or involuntarily pursing her lips in frustration during the lengthy discussions.
Conflict Resolution Through Collective Laughter
Beyond the specific incident with Sejeong, Somi shed light on the psychological toll of the K-pop industry’s demanding pace. She noted that when eleven different personalities are confined to a tight schedule with minimal sleep, sensitivity and irritability are inevitable. To combat this, I.O.I developed a unique, albeit unconventional, coping mechanism to diffuse high-tension situations.
Somi described a tactic where, upon sensing that the atmosphere was becoming too sensitive or argumentative, a member would take the lead by commanding, “Everyone, smile.” Regardless of their actual emotional state, the members were required to stop what they were doing and laugh out loud together.
“It started by chance when we were just talking among ourselves,” Somi said. “But when things got too sensitive, it was hard even to talk. So, without asking questions or arguing, we all just had to laugh out loud. It really did lift the mood and allowed us to move past the tension without it escalating into a larger conflict.”
Industry analysts suggest that such tactics, while seemingly simplistic, are vital for project groups like I.O.I, which operate on a strictly limited timeline. Without the luxury of years of trainee life together to build deep-seated bonds, project groups must find rapid ways to synchronize and resolve interpersonal issues to maintain the "Nation’s Girl Group" image that the public expects.
Historical Context: The Legacy of I.O.I and Produce 101
To understand the weight of Somi’s comments, one must look at the historical significance of I.O.I. Formed in 2016 through Mnet’s Produce 101, I.O.I was the first group of its kind—a "temporary" unit comprised of trainees from various agencies, chosen entirely by public vote. Jeon Somi, then a trainee under JYP Entertainment, finished in first place, earning the coveted "Center" position.
The group’s impact on the K-pop landscape was profound. During their active period from May 2016 to January 2017, they released hits like "Very Very Very" and "Dream Girls," winning multiple "Best New Artist" awards. The success of I.O.I paved the way for subsequent successful project groups such as Wanna One, IZ*ONE, and ENHYPEN.
However, the "I.O.I model" also highlighted the immense pressure placed on young idols. The group was required to maximize their commercial viability within a single year, leading to a schedule that Somi described as nearly impossible to navigate without extreme fatigue. The "scolding" incident mentioned on Radio Star serves as a reminder that even within a highly successful group, the traditional Korean social hierarchy (Sunbae-Hoobae and age-based respect) remains a fundamental component of professional conduct.
Post-Disbandment Trajectories and Reunion Prospects
Since the official disbandment of I.O.I in early 2017, the members have seen varying degrees of success in their respective careers. Jeon Somi eventually left JYP Entertainment to join The Black Label, where she established herself as a powerhouse solo artist with hits like "DUMB DUMB" and "Fast Forward." Kim Sejeong, the member who corrected Somi’s behavior, achieved significant acclaim both as a vocalist and as a leading actress in hit dramas such as Business Proposal and The Uncanny Counter.
The enduring bond between the members has remained a point of fascination for fans, known as "Ideal of Idol." While several attempts at a full-group reunion have been discussed over the years, logistical hurdles—primarily the members’ differing agency contracts and individual schedules—have made a permanent return difficult.
In 2021, the group held a 5th-anniversary live stream, which saw most members participate, reaffirming their close friendship. Somi’s recent comments on Radio Star coincide with renewed rumors regarding a potential reunion project. Reports have indicated that nearly all members, with the notable exceptions of Kang Mina and Kyulkyung (who is primarily active in China), have expressed a strong desire to reform the group for a special release.
Implications for the K-pop Industry
The anecdotes shared by Jeon Somi offer more than just nostalgia; they provide a factual look at the evolution of idol group management. The transition from the "scolding" of the youngest member to a collaborative "forced laughter" technique illustrates a shift toward finding functional ways to manage mental health and group harmony in a high-stakes environment.
Furthermore, the public’s positive reaction to these stories suggests a growing appreciation for "humanizing" K-pop stars. Rather than maintaining a facade of perfect harmony, Somi’s willingness to discuss the "sensitive" moments and the strict discipline enforced by older members like Sejeong highlights the professional maturity required to succeed in the global music market.
As the industry continues to grapple with the demands of global stardom, the I.O.I model remains a case study in both the brilliance and the burden of the project group system. Somi’s reflections on Radio Star serve as a testament to the resilience of the members and the enduring legacy of a group that changed the trajectory of the Korean entertainment industry. For now, fans remain hopeful that the "team spirit" Somi described will eventually lead the eleven members back to the stage together, proving that the discipline instilled during their debut year has created a bond capable of withstanding the passage of time.
