Former Idol Reveals ₩180 Million Debt and Traumatic Group Exit on 'Ask Anything'

A former idol group member will appear on the upcoming episode of KBS Joy's 'Ask Anything' (also known as 'What Do You Want to Ask?') to share a shocking story of his struggles.

The 339th episode, airing today (3rd) at 8:30 PM, features a former member of the group 'Mask,' who will detail his experiences after leaving the group, including a period of seclusion and significant investment losses leading to approximately 180 million KRW (roughly $135,000 USD) in debt.

The guest recounted an incident during preparations for the group's second album, where he faced verbal and physical abuse from a fellow member after unknowingly taking the wrong umbrella. "When I tried to speak up about the unfairness, he hit the umbrella against the wall and then struck me on the head and face," he shared, leading to his departure from the group.

Following his exit, he spent one to two years in self-imposed isolation. He then invested his remaining savings of 5 million KRW into electric vehicle stocks, doubling his money. However, he later incurred substantial losses after borrowing money for further investments at his parents' request, ultimately losing everything and accumulating 180 million KRW in debt through additional failed attempts in crypto futures trading.

Currently, the former idol makes a living through YouTube live streaming, managing to pay off a monthly loan installment of 4.65 million KRW while setting aside 500,000 KRW for himself, thanks to viewer support.

During the broadcast, he expressed lingering desires to perform on stage. Responding to this, hosts Seo Jang-hoon advised him to reduce his broadcast time and seek part-time work in customer-facing roles like cafes or clothing stores to change his habits, given his current situation at age 27. Lee Soo-geun added that one must be prepared to deliver a top-tier performance at any moment to have the right to miss the stage, urging him to focus on self-development rather than idle wishes.

While acknowledging the guest's vocal talent shown during the episode, Seo Jang-hoon reiterated the importance of not passively waiting for opportunities at his age and circumstances. However, he concluded with warm encouragement, stating, "As long as you don't have ill intentions, you will succeed. I can see that."

Korean netizens reacted with sympathy and encouragement, with comments like 'He must have gone through so much hardship,' 'Thank you for bravely sharing your story,' and 'I hope only good things happen to you from now on.'