Singer and actor Lee Ho Won, formerly known as Hoya from INFINITE, recently made a comment about his previous group activities that is catching some attention.
Following his departure from INFINITE, Hoya flew to the United States to travel and study and, according to him, it was quite a learning experience.
It appears his time away from the group also afforded him with some clarity on his previous situation as he voiced his opinions on what it was like being an idol group member.
“I felt like I was just a puppet. I couldn’t even speak my own thoughts. I felt like my only job was to sing, dance and look pretty. Make people laugh and tell them good stories.”
— Hoya
Now that he has left the agency, however, he has the freedom to do many of the things he wanted to do as an idol, but couldn’t. He even plans to create a dance school with his dancers.
“I also have music that I really want to do. I thought it wouldn’t make sense to end my activities as a singer when I haven’t had a chance to do what I wanted.
I decided to continue because I wanted to release my own music even if the album only sold 100 copies.”
— Hoya
Hoya left in August 2017 after deciding not to renew his contract with Woollim Entertainment. He signed with Glorious Entertainment instead and focused on his acting projects such as the musical Sandglass and the MBC drama, Two Cops which just finished airing successfully.
The remaining six members of INFINITE re-signed and released a new album earlier this month.
