This up-and-coming quartet from a small/medium-sized company talked about their dorm life, their first salary, and the struggles after debuting.
On September 3, YouTube channel “Studio Suze” released episode 22 of the web show “Don’t Forget Your Breakfast”, featuring idol band QWER.
The four-member team, despite coming from the small label 3Y Corporation x Tamago Prod., has improved their standing in the K-pop scene by dominating the MelOn charts with their popular songs “TBH” and “Discord.”
Since then, they have cemented their reputation among K-pop fans through frequent and numerous invitations to music festivals organized by organizations and universities.
During the show, host Jang Sung Gyu expressed curiosity about the quartet’s popularity, which is already reflected in their salaries.
While it usually takes years for other groups to break even after the initial costs of producing idols, QWER debuted by spending 1/10 of existing artists, or less than KRW 1 billion ($750,000).
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Hina, the maknae of the group, confessed:
“It’s been about 10 months (since we debuted) and we’ve only received one payment. We got paid, but it was only 1,200 won ($0.90).”
Surprised, the studio was surprised and Jang blurted out:
“Isn’t this a slave contract?”
Luckily, the members laughed and refuted him. On the show, QWER touched on the company’s treatment, sharing their unique dorm structure.
Instead of having a separate agency and dormitory, QWER rents an entire building with members living on each floor. The 4th floor is a common space, while the 5th floor is the rehearsal room.
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When Jang asked why they chose a location far from Seoul, CEO and YouTuber Kim Gyeran, the team’s founder, explained:
“The first consideration was to make sure we lived in the same building. We needed a place to practice together, and if we wanted to continue practicing, we needed good soundproofing, which is why we needed a neighborhood. I don’t want to disturb people with noise.”
Unfortunately, due to the high cost of living, QWER has to give up appearing on music programs in the meantime. Magenta said:
“I have something to say about that. When we (as a band) prepare for a live show, it costs more than the monthly rent here (for accommodation).”
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CEO Kim continued:
“The most expensive thing about this project is the special expenses like installing the instruments and the audio.”
QWER is a female idol group created by YouTuber Kim Gyeran. Aside from Siyeon, the three members were internet stars before their debut.
Hina was a TikToker, while Chodan and Magenta were AfreecaTV BJs.
As a result, there were initially critical opinions towards the team, but later many K-pop fans ended up showing interest, especially in their music.
Watch QWER’s full interview below!
READ MORE: Fifth-Generation Female Idol’s Comment on Childbirth and Marriage Sparks Outrage: ‘It’s Our Duty to Reproduce’
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Written by Eunice Dela Cruz
