YouTube channel on February 10th A microphone uploaded a video titled “The group of girls who suddenly disappeared 5 years ago: visiting his house. A new life and a new career. Song Chaeah.” In the video, Song Chaeah—which he previously promoted under the stage name Harin— shared updates on her current life as a show host.
Presenting the home she now shares with her mother, Song Chaeah reflected on her difficult past. “I lived in a dorm full of cockroaches, right next to a landfill. Compared to that, this looks like a hotel,” he said with a bittersweet smile.
Song Chaeah debuted Rusty in June 2019, but operations stopped in January 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He revealed that he was unable to return home and was only moving between the company and his dormitory before leaving for good in 2021 with the help of a lawyer and government support.
Song Chae-ah – Harin (Rusty)
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“Evidently we had no income. They said we were in debt just to breathe,” he stated. “I think the company actually owed us a significant amount of money, but in the end I didn’t get it. I didn’t get even 10% of what I expected.”
Song Chaeah also said that the agency’s CEO forced her into Internet broadcasting business.
“At first they said it was to communicate with overseas fans during COVID. But at some point it turned into ‘go make money'” he explained. “It was nothing inappropriate, but they forced me and another member, since I was the leader, to do it.”
Despite his reluctance, he obeyed. “I didn’t really want to do it, but I did it because they told me to. I also made some money for the company.” he said. According to her, the contract provided for a 70:30 profit split, but this agreement was not respected. “For the first month or two, they paid about 1 million won (about $750). After that, it dropped to 500,000 won.” He also said he endured years of criticism from the agency’s CEO.
“During COVID, I was completely cut off from the world. I did everything they told me, hoping the CEO would like me. But when I realized I still wasn’t liked, that’s when reality hit me.” he confessed. After leaving the company, Song Chaeah said she struggled with the feeling of falling behind her peers and took various part-time jobs to survive. Even now, despite having established herself as a program host, she continues to look for part-time work on non-airtime days.
Reflecting on his twenties, he shared, “If I say it right, I’ve gained life experiences. If I’m honest, I feel like I’ve lost them. If I don’t do anything, I get extremely anxious.”
However, he also expressed determination about his future. “If you rush, even things that might work won’t work. My goal now is to stop worrying about others and just focus on my own path.”
His revelations sparked renewed discussions about idol contracts, financial transparency and mental health in the entertainment industry.
Sources: Money Today, YouTube channel “One Mic”
