Kim Sejeong Reveals Funny Story on How She Appeared in ‘Produce 101’ After Initially Rejecting It
Kim Sejeong, a former I.O.I member revealed an anecdote about her participation in Mnet’s “Produce 101,” which created the group.
On September 6, the idol appeared in KBS 2TV’s “Problem Child in House.” The idol-actress just made her comeback with her first full-length album, “Door.”
The album, which was released on September 4, is the singer’s first comeback in about two years since “Baby I Love U” in 2021.
Meanwhile, during the broadcast, the “Uncanny Counter” star talked about her status after successfully transitioning from being an idol to an actress and recalled her days in a girl group.
She particularly shared an anecdote about joining Mnet’s survival show, “Produce 101,” which created the “Nation’s Pick” group I.O.I.
Kim Sejeong drew attention by saying that she almost couldn’t go out on the audition program for a hilarious reason.
At the time, she was already preparing to debut in Jellyfish’s girl group gugudan when a PD came to their practice room and said:
“I am recruiting audition performers.”
The prospective members at the time weighed in about joining the show, since they would be debuting anyway and they were worried the group might be shaken if they go. They had a meeting with the trainees and agreed on that.
As a result, during the 1:1 interview with the production team, Sejeong replied:
“I wouldn’t go because I trusted the members.”
Shockingly, Sejeong ended up being chosen as a member who would join the show instead!
What happened?
The “Voyage” singer later learned that at the time, the producer emphasized that Sejeong looked really hateful and decided that she should be put in the program no matter what!
Sejeong added:
“I found out later that I was the only member who said I wouldn’t go out. So I remember being the only one who was scolded belatedly.”
Anyway, it’s all thanks to the PD as fans undoubtedly can’t imagine I.O.I without Sejeong!
In addition to this, gugudan’s debut also became successful thanks to the initial popularity earned by the idol from the show!
Kim Sejeong Confesses She Thought PD101’s Song ‘Pick Me’ Would Be Failure
As the show went on, Kim Sejeong also talked about the hit song, “Pick Me,” performed by all trainees (98/101) as the official song of Mnet’s “Produce 101.”
Initially, Sejeong confessed she thought it would be a huge failure, saying:
“I was so tired after watching all 101 performances at that time. And since it’s my first debut and I don’t know anything, I thought, ‘This program is ruined’ because it’s a dance to a song I’ve never heard in my life. We are ruined.”
She made viewers laugh after adding her realization:
“But I didn’t know it would save us like this.”
