LE SSERAFIM’s Yunjin Opens Up About The Hardships She Faced After “Produce 48” Ended
Before she was a member of LE SSERAFIM, Huh Yunjin was a contestant of Mnet‘s Produce 48. She had moved from the United States to try her luck in the competition as a PLEDIS Entertainment trainee.
In an interview with Weverse Magazine, she revealed that everything was a blur to her when she arrived in Korea.
Actually, I don’t remember much about when I first got to Korea. It was so hectic and there were so many things I had to do, and I was feverishly passionate.
— Yunjin
She made it far in the competition, impressing everyone with her vocal abilities. She ended at 26th place after being eliminated in Episode 11.
News about Yunjin was scarce following Produce 48′s conclusion. It was inferred that she returned to her school life and trainee days in PLEDIS Entertainment but her future was unclear.
She told Weverse Magazine that this was a relaxing but lonesome time for her: “After the show ended, and I went back to the tranquil trainee life, I felt sort of lonely.”
It was a big disadvantage that she could not speak Korean fluently, having lived in the United States for several years. She could not express her feelings well to the people around her.
I sometimes felt like I couldn’t convey my feelings properly no matter what I said because my family is all in the US now and I grew up speaking English. I wanted to express myself properly, but my Korean’s not that good. Plus there was no one around me who could speak English, so my English kept getting weirder.
— Yunjin
Despite the limbo she faced as a trainee for four years, Yunjin persevered because of her love for the stage.
I think I always subconsciously knew I could never live without music and performing. I think I couldn’t give up because I wanted to do music no matter what and be on stage no matter what.
— Yunjin
Her hard work paid off as she debuted in the highly-anticipated girl group of HYBE and Source Music!
It hasn’t really hit me yet. It all feels like a dream. I was a trainee a bit longer than the other members and a lot’s happened for me to get to where I am today. A lot of effort went into being able to debut, so it feels like a big deal, and I feel a lot of pressure, so it doesn’t feel real yet. I think I especially feel that way because I waited so long and it’s finally here.
— Yunjin
