On October 30, 2026, former Fiestar member Cao Lu opened up on YouTube about enduring intense online criticism and being branded a liar after publicly confessing that she had not received her earnings from idol activities, highlighting systemic financial opacity within the K-pop industry.
The Settlement Reality Behind The Music Videos
- Cao Lu revealed that despite maintaining an active broadcast schedule, she received no payments and was subsequently accused of lying by internet commenters.
- The discussion was sparked by a YouTube video featuring Momoland members Hyebin, Jane, and Ahin discussing the reality of idol earnings and mounting trainee debt.
- Cao Lu noted that the public perception finally shifted only after other artists, including Fiestar groupmate Yezi, stepped forward with similar uncompensated settlement experiences.
Uncovering The Financial Realities Of Fiestar And Momoland
The conversation surrounding idol compensation came to light in an October 30 YouTube video titled “Girl group Momoland, who recorded 1 billion views on their music video—But how much did they actually earn?” Koreaboo reported that the upload featured Cao Lu appearing alongside Jane and Ahin, originally from Momoland. The dialogue began after Cao Lu viewed a prior video released by Momoland member Hyebin. In that video, Hyebin stated that public assumptions about idols generating vast fortunes are entirely false, prompting a deeper discussion about Momoland’s financial history during their active years.
Jane and Ahin explained that while their group generated significant revenue, substantial initial trainee and promotional debt quickly swallowed those profits. Following their first settlement, incoming work slowed down significantly due to COVID-19, plunging the members back into negative financial balances. Listening to her juniors recount these struggles, Cao Lu recognized a painful parallel to her own career.
Facing Online Backlash For Speaking Out
Reflecting on her time promoting in the entertainment industry, Cao Lu detailed the emotional toll of coming forward with her financial truths. Because she appeared frequently on various variety shows and maintained a relentless work schedule, the public assumed she was wealthy. “Back then, when I said on broadcasts that I hadn’t received my payment, I honestly got a lot of criticism,” Cao Lu recalled, noting that many viewers outright refused to believe her.
She emphasized how unfair the situation felt, explaining that working constantly while receiving zero compensation subjected her to harsh online vitriol. “On the internet, they called me a liar,” she said, recounting how deeply upsetting it was to endure public skepticism while dealing with unpaid wages behind the scenes. Fiestar originally debuted in 2012 with the single “Vista” and followed up with tracks like “So Tight,” “I Don’t Know,” and “One More,” with Cao Lu building individual recognition through her variety show appearances.
How Collective Transparency Shifted Public Perception
For years, discussing income settlements remained taboo across the K-pop landscape. Jane and Ahin admitted that they also refrained from discussing these financial matters publicly in the past. However, the atmosphere surrounding idol finances has slowly evolved as more veterans share their lived experiences.
Cao Lu noted that public validation only arrived incrementally as other members corroborated her accounts. She mentioned that when Yezi also spoke out in interviews regarding unpaid settlements, followed by other members sharing similar realities, the public finally recognized the truth of her statements. Expressing surprise at the current openness, Cao Lu remarked on how far the industry conversation has come, emphasizing that despite receiving no financial remuneration, she ultimately gained invaluable love and experience through her hard work.
