Chaebol heiress idol, Annie, says she never misses a 1+1 ice cream deal

AllDay Project's Annie / Xportsnews

An unexpected confession from a so-called “chaebol idol” is drawing attention — not for luxury habits, but for how ordinary her shopping rules actually are.

Annie, a member of the co-ed K-pop group AllDay Project, appeared on KBS Cool FM’s “Park Myung-soo’s Radio Show” on Monday, where she spoke candidly about life as both a rookie idol and a member of one of Korea’s most powerful business families.

During the broadcast, host Park Myung-soo brought up the label often attached to her — “rich family’s daughter” — asking whether it ever felt like a burden. Annie responded calmly, saying, “If you call it a charm, then it can be a charm.”

When asked whether she was already waiting for her first settlement as an idol, she laughed and said, “I’m really waiting. I haven’t received it yet, so I’m curious when it will happen.”

AllDay Project / Xportsnews

The conversation turned playful when Park asked whether she ever buys convenience store buy-one-get-one-free deals. Annie answered without hesitation, saying, “Of course. Ice cream is always one-plus-one. I recently bought a lot because it was one-plus-one”

However, she quickly added a surprising caveat that drew laughter in the studio: “Department store discounts don’t work.”

The irony wasn’t lost on listeners. While Annie is known as the granddaughter of Lee Myung-hee, honorary chairwoman of Shinsegae Group, and the eldest daughter of Shinsegae Chairwoman Chung Yoo-kyung, her most enthusiastic savings habit appears to involve discounted ice cream rather than luxury goods.

Annie debuted in June as a member of AllDay Project. Although some initially viewed her through the lens of her family background, she has gradually won public recognition through performance, backed by seven years of training.

She recently appeared on the web variety show “Pinggyego,” where she spoke about her dream of becoming a singer. Host Yoo Jae-suk noted that even three to five years as a trainee is difficult. “Didn’t your parents say they would allow your debut if you went to an Ivy League school — and you actually did it?”

Annie responded by saying, “I just thought it would work out someday. And I really loved the company.”

When asked what had changed most since her debut, she shared a moment that made her reality sink in. “I went for scalp care, and a staff member asked for my autograph. That was shocking. I thought, ‘Right, I’m a celebrity.’ It still doesn’t feel real.”

AllDay Project released its first EP on Dec. 8 and is currently promoting the title track "LOOK AT ME."

This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.