Chaewon, formerly known by her stage name Eunchae of DIA, recently gained attention after sharing that she attempted to debut twice after leaving the group, only to fail both times. He talked about his journey in a YouTube video titled “After the wicked editing controversy… the youngest member returns with a more mature and beautiful view” on the One Mic channel.
Reflecting on her time with DIA, Chaewon clarified that the group did not officially disband but rather ended operations as members’ contracts expired, with each member going their own way. Despite this, the members have remained in touch via group chats and continue to support each other.
She also addressed the “evil editing” controversy since his appearance on the survival show Ticket of the Universe. According to Chaewon, public reaction at the time was largely negative, making the period seem like a nightmare. She admitted that she he lacked experience and may have been overly ambitious in his song selection.
Despite warnings from the production team, he insisted on performing Heroinhoping to stand out as “main character” on stage. However, the performance did not go as planned and drew heavy criticism.
Subsequently, Chaewon sought a different route back into the spotlight by attempting to debut as a virtual idol, a growing trend at the time. He described the physically demanding process of wearing a full-body motion capture suit and helmet to record movements and expressions.
However, the experience came with emotional challenges. He revealed the pressure of not being able to show his true face or identity to the publicalthough her desire to perform kept her going.
Unfortunately, his second debut attempt also fell apart. Chaewon suddenly revealed her agency he disappeared just as the preparations were nearing completion. After six months of training, recording the title track and finalizing the choreography, the entire project collapsed along with the company effectively disappeared without a trace. Later, he decided to abandon his dream of being an idol and dedicate himself to acting, although success is yet to come.
His controversy about Ticket of the Universe also resurfaced. From the first episodes, Chaewon entered with determination to prove herself, gaining more attention as a former idol than the new trainees. However, this also led to higher expectations.
During team selections and line distributions, she appeared assertive, often aiming for central positions or prominent parts. Some viewers criticized it as overly ambitious OR “hungry for the spotlight”, especially when competing with younger competitors. His communication style has also been described by some as tense and lacking in softness.
The controversy reached its peak during her Heroin performance, for which she was criticized unstable voice and lack of control—particularly harsh criticism given his position as a former singer of DIA.
However, the narrative changed after the first fancams emerged. Many viewers compared them to the broadcast version and stated that the show had done it manipulated audio to degrade its performance. Some have accused the production team of lower the tone or change the audio to create dramafueling the accusations of “evil editorial team”. Media outlets such as Koreaboo also reported that some netizens believed Chaewon had been nominated “scapegoat” for the show.
As for DIA, the group debuted in 2015 under MBK Entertainment during K-pop’s highly competitive third generation, alongside artists like TWICE, Red Velvet, GFRIEND, and Lovelyz. Known for their young and feminine concept, DIA was supposed to follow the success of senior group T-ARA.
The group has released songs such as Somehow, On the road, Mr. Potter, WooWooAND A hug U. Although they never reached high-level popularity, they maintained a stable fan base. Member Jung Chaeyeon has gained significant fame thanks Produce 101 and debuting with IOI, but even his popularity failed to fully elevate the group.
Chaewon, one of the youngest members, was the lead singer and was known for her sweet visuals and bright energy. Although she wasn’t the center of the group, fans appreciated her stable voice and charming presence.
During her time at DIA, she was often praised for her youth, “baby face” images: characterized by soft features, round eyes and a bright smile that corresponded to the concept of the group. His long dark hair and natural style further enhanced his image as a classic first generation idol.
Although she was never the most famous member, Chaewon has built a loyal fan base thanks to her nice personality and constant efforts. Many fans saw her as someone who became more attractive over time rather than immediately striking.
After DIA ceased operations in 2022, many expressed regret that Chaewon never had the opportunity to fully shine. His story is now one bittersweet example of how fragile an idol’s career can be in the ever-evolving K-pop industry.
Sources: kenh14
