ALLDAY PROJECT’s Annie has graduated! How did this Samsung great-granddaughter use “extreme self-discipline” to live such a wild life?

When you watch K-dramas, the ultra-rich families can feel out of reach or like pure fiction. But ALLDAY PROJECT’s Annie comes from a family background straight out of real life. Her great-grandfather was Samsung founder Lee Byung-chul; her grandmother is Shinsegae Group chair Lee Myung-hee; and her mother, Chung Yoo-kyung, is president of Shinsegae Department Store. Her status as a “real chaebol heiress” drew widespread attention from her trainee days onward.

• Related reading: G-Dragon spoils his employees! “Dragon hyung’s” most heartwarming leadership philosophy: My family and employees come first

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ANNIE (@anniesymoon)

She dreamed of becoming an idol at 7, despite her family’s opposition

Born in 2002, Annie dreamed of becoming an idol as early as age 7, but her family strongly opposed it, so the path was far from easy. She later made a deal with her mother: if she got into an Ivy League university, she could become an idol. She followed through, earning admission to Columbia University. She was still studying at Columbia when she debuted, and in early 2026, her agency announced that she would temporarily halt activities and officially return after completing her studies.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ANNIE (@anniesymoon)

You might be thinking: Her family is so wealthy, she must have gotten in through connections, right? Not at all. Although her family background has drawn plenty of attention, Annie didn’t become an idol on the strength of her “chaebol halo.” She has shared that she joined The Black Label through an audition and trained step by step as a trainee. While studying, she auditioned and recorded weekly evaluation videos to send to the company. Even when she returned to Korea during school breaks, she spent nearly all her time practicing at the company, devoting most of it to preparing for the stage.

She never takes “self-discipline” lightly

Annie sets extremely high standards for herself. Despite the enviable background she comes from, she has always been someone who pushes herself hard in private. Reportedly, no matter how packed her schedule is or how late she works, she maintains a regular exercise routine and does 500 ab exercises every day. She takes her training and work seriously. Rather than relying on the halo others assign her, she wants to earn her place onstage through her own efforts, prompting many people to see her in a new light. Her self-discipline is truly something to learn from.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ANNIE (@anniesymoon)

A cool exterior with the warm personality of an older sister

Annie has a strong presence onstage, yet offstage she’s the type to take good care of those around her. She has shared her study methods and daily life with fans, even thoughtfully recommending beauty products she uses and loves. More than her aloof image, this natural and genuine contrast has won over an increasing number of people. Despite being from a wealthy family, she doesn’t put herself above others and is even warmer and more approachable than most. No wonder she won so much love as soon as she debuted.

Returning to ALLDAY PROJECT, a new chapter begins

Graduation isn’t the end, but the beginning of a dazzling new turn. Annie is about to rejoin ALLDAY PROJECT, undoubtedly the news fans have been awaiting most. She has spoken of her love for creative work, a passion that has never changed no matter how her identity shifts. With the knowledge she has gained through her studies, how will Annie use her distinctive aesthetic to define trends for a new era? We’re no longer seeing only a “girl from a wealthy family,” but a vibrant “creative.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ANNIE (@anniesymoon)

We like Annie Moon because, even in such a privileged environment, she has held on to the ambition to “prove something through her own efforts.” She reminds every girl that while you can’t choose where you come from, you can choose how you live. Rather than living by other people’s expectations, follow her example: even if you have everything, use self-discipline to earn a light that is your own. Annie ‘s story tells us that self-discipline isn’t for others to see; it’s about being ready to become your best self when opportunity arrives.

Join POPBEE Circle and subscribe to POPBEE Newsletter to get the latest updates in real time, and be the first to hear about exclusive offers and special discounts. Besides this piece, here are a few recent stories you’ll want to check out: