‘Not first class?’ Idol Annie draws buzz for economy flight
Annie / Xportsnews, captured from fan communication platform
K-pop fans are reacting with surprise after Annie, known for her family's ownership of one of Korea's largest conglomerates, shared a glimpse of herself flying economy class while studying for finals.
The idol, a member of ALLDAY PROJECT, uploaded a photo through a fan communication platform on Tuesday, writing, “I’m on a plane going on a trip with my friend.”
In the photo, Annie is seen sitting in a standard airplane seat, wearing headphones and focusing on a notebook. She said she was studying for final exams during the flight.
“My friend secretly took this photo,” Annie said. “I thought Day One fans would like it, so I decided to post it.”
Annie / Xportsnews
What caught people's attention online was not just the casual snapshot, but the fact that Annie appeared to be flying economy instead of first or business class.
Annie is the eldest daughter of Chung Yoo-kyung, president of Korean retail giant Shinsegae, and the granddaughter of Lee Myung-hee, chair of the Shinsegae Group. In Korea, descendants of powerful family-run conglomerates — commonly called “chaebol” — are often associated with luxury lifestyles and elite privilege.
Because of that image, many fans said they found Annie’s everyday student life unexpectedly relatable.
Others also pointed out the contrast between her glamorous idol status and the reality of balancing college coursework while traveling.
Annie debuted with ALLDAY PROJECT in June last year. The group drew attention immediately with the release of “FAMOUS” and “WICKED,” both of which performed well on Korean music charts.
She is currently attending Columbia University and is reportedly completing the spring semester during a temporary break from group activities.
This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.