Chaebol Heiress and Former ILLIT Member Join Forces in New K-Pop Co-Ed Group
In an unexpected turn of events, Samsung founder's great-granddaughter Annie Moon will make her entertainment debut alongside former ILLIT member Lee Youngseo in THEBLACKLABEL's newly announced co-ed group ALLDAY PROJECT.
The announcement, made June 9, has sent shockwaves through the K-pop community as it marks the first time a chaebol family member has entered the idol industry. Moon, 23, is the great-granddaughter of Samsung Group founder Lee Byung-chul and granddaughter of current Shinsegae Group chairwoman Lee Myung-hee.
What makes ALLDAY PROJECT particularly unusual is its eclectic mix of backgrounds. While most K-pop groups recruit unknown trainees, this quintet brings together established figures from different entertainment spheres.
Lee Youngseo, 19, became a familiar face to survival show fans after ranking second on 'R U Next?' Her journey took an unexpected turn when she left ILLIT just months before their debut in January 2024, with BELIFT LAB citing only "mutual agreement" as the reason.
The group's international appeal comes from Bailey Sok, a 21-year-old Korean-American who has already made her mark in the dance world. Long before joining ALLDAY PROJECT, she was choreographing for major K-pop acts like Red Velvet and aespa, and appeared on 'America's Got Talent' as a child.
Rapper Jo Woochan brings perhaps the most unconventional path to idol stardom. At just 12 years old, he became the youngest contestant in 'Show Me The Money 6' history. After unsuccessful stints with both Cube Entertainment and BigHit Music's cancelled Trainee A project, the now-20-year-old finds himself with a third chance under Teddy's wing.
Rounding out the group is Tarzzan, a 22-year-old model whose inclusion has already sparked controversy over cultural appropriation concerns related to his styling choices.
Co-ed groups remain rare in K-pop, with most companies avoiding the format due to marketing challenges and conservative audience preferences. THEBLACKLABEL's decision to pursue this route with such high-profile members suggests confidence in changing industry dynamics.
The group will debut June 23 with "FAMOUS," following a series of teasers that began with their music video preview on June 13. Unlike typical idol debuts that rely on unknown faces and manufactured backstories, ALLDAY PROJECT's appeal lies in its members' pre-existing achievements and unconventional backgrounds.
Whether this experiment in celebrity collaboration over traditional trainee development will succeed remains to be seen, but it certainly represents a bold departure from standard K-pop group formation.
