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| Wang Yiren with Chen Hsin Wei and Yuehua's CEO Du Hua |
EVERGLOW's Wang Yiren has sent shockwaves through the K-Pop community after revealing that she and her groupmates have never received a salary since debuting six years ago.
The revelation came via a heartfelt message on the fan communication app, Bubble, where Yiren expressed her emotional turmoil over the situation.
Despite her passion for performing and deep love for the stage, Yiren admitted she has had to endure the harsh reality of earning nothing throughout her idol career.
She stated that all revenue from the group continues to be used to pay off the initial costs of training, production, and promotions covered by their agency, Yuehua Entertainment.
Yiren added that neither she nor the group has received any financial "settlement" since their debut, leaving fans deeply concerned about the members’ wellbeing.
She also issued an apology for the group’s lack of new songs and stages, explaining that although they had prepared a concert tour, they were unable to execute it as planned.
The confession quickly sparked outrage across online communities, with fans questioning how the idols managed to survive without any income for such a prolonged period.
Many pointed to the long-criticised structure of idol contracts, accusing companies of exploiting young talent under the guise of training and “investment recovery.”
Some fans demanded transparency and accountability from Yuehua, urging the agency to release clear details regarding the financials behind EVERGLOW’s activities.
In response to the growing controversy, Yuehua Entertainment’s CEO, Du Hua, addressed the issue during a televised appearance.
Du Hua acknowledged that EVERGLOW had indeed not received salaries due to the large-scale investment Yuehua made at the time of their debut, which they are still trying to recover.
She mentioned that Wang Yiren was not the only one in this situation, revealing that fellow EVERGLOW member Chen Xinwei is also yet to receive payment.
Chen, who was present at the event, admitted to facing similar conditions. Du Hua, somewhat nonchalantly, commented that even more money had been invested in Chen's debut journey.
The CEO’s remarks, perceived by many as dismissive, have only fuelled the backlash, with critics accusing Yuehua of poor financial planning and lack of responsibility.
Industry insiders say that while it’s not uncommon for K-Pop idols to go unpaid for years due to high upfront costs, six years without compensation is particularly alarming.
The incident has reignited debate about the need for better legal frameworks and contract reform in the South Korean entertainment industry.
Fans have now started trending hashtags demanding fair treatment for EVERGLOW and financial justice for all idols trapped in similar situations.
Several fanbases have also begun organising support drives, encouraging others to buy albums or stream music directly in hopes of helping the group’s revenue grow.
However, concerns persist that without proper contract renegotiations or clearer settlement processes, such actions may have little impact on the idols’ actual pay.
This incident is also seen as a wake-up call to aspiring idols and trainees, highlighting the brutal and often unseen reality behind the glamour of K-Pop.
Today Du Hua responded Yiren's statement that EVERGLOW has not received any salary for six years since its debut, saying that company invested a lot when it debuted, and that money has not been returned to the company pic.twitter.com/Bpr0Cc56Ch
— Yirenz_wang (@wang_yirenz) April 15, 2025