(G)I-DLE’s Soyeon Opens Up About Creative Slumps and Solo Album

In an industry that constantly demands relentless output, few stars possess the sheer autonomy—or bear the corresponding psychological weight—of Jeon Soyeon. Known for steering (G)I-DLE to global prominence with massive chart-toppers like “Tomboy” and “Queencard,” the 29-year-old artist has routinely shattered the traditional boundaries assigned to K-pop idols. Yet, behind the multi-platinum plaques and high-profile comebacks lies a punishing creative cycle.

The Bottom Line

• The Creative Toll: Soyeon revealed on JTBC’s Newsroom that writing a single track takes at least a month, with her biggest hit, “Tomboy,” requiring an exhausting year-long journey through dozens of scrapped drafts.
• The Royalty Rollercoaster: Highlighting the financial volatility of independent songwriting, she previously shared on a web variety show that monthly copyright earnings can swing wildly from ₩1.00 billion KRW ($743,000 USD) down to just ₩100,000 KRW ($74.30 USD).

The Rigorous Architecture Behind K-Pop’s Biggest Anthems

Pop music consumption moves at a breakneck speed, but Jeon Soyeon operates on a completely different timeline. During her September 5 appearance on JTBC’s Newsroom, the producer addressed the slow, meticulous nature of her craft. Unlike artists who cycle through writing camps in a matter of days, Soyeon noted that she takes at least a month to complete a single composition. That meticulous approach reaches its peak with “Tomboy,” the track that ultimately defined (G)I-DLE’s career trajectory.

According to Soyeon, “Tomboy” was the result of a grueling twelve-month process where she penned dozens of alternative songs before landing on the final hit.

The Financial Reality and Psychological Cost of Creative Autonomy

The business of self-production offers massive rewards, but it comes with equally steep psychological penalties. On a prior web variety appearance, Soyeon detailed the dizzying financial swings tied directly to her copyright portfolio. When her tracks dominate streaming charts, monthly royalties can soar up to ₩1.00 billion KRW (approximately $743,000 USD). Conversely, during dry spells, those figures can plummet to a meager ₩100,000 KRW (about $74.30 USD).

Jeon Soyeon: Creative Milestones and Financial Metrics

Metric / Event	Details	Reported Context
Songwriting Duration	At least 1 month per track	Shared during her September 5 interview on JTBC’s Newsroom.
“Tomboy” Development	1 year, dozens of drafts	The longest journey to a hit in her career.
Copyright Revenue Fluctuation	₩100K KRW to ₩1.00B KRW monthly	Spans from roughly $74.30 USD to $743,000 USD based on streaming hits.
Solo Album Release	What A Wonderful Life	Released September 7, featuring the lead track “I’m Quitting.”

That financial unpredictability mirrors her internal landscape. Despite a decade of industry-shaping success, Soyeon confessed that self-doubt remains a constant companion. “I’m scared every day, and I’m in a slump every day,” she revealed, adding that finishing a song often brings immediate anxiety over whether her talent has evaporated. Rather than leaning on industry safety nets, her strategy relies purely on endurance. “I think those who endure win in the end,” she noted, framing perseverance as the only viable shield against creative exhaustion.

Navigating the Label Dynamics and the Future of Her Catalog

Soyeon’s transparent confessions arrive during a period of significant career stabilization. Following intense public scrutiny and industry speculation regarding her contract status with Cube Entertainment—underscored by recent developments covered by outlets like Star News Korea—the artist firmly put rumors to bed with her declaration, “I will never leave Cube.” By directly addressing her professional future alongside her artistic vulnerabilities, she is maintaining total narrative control.

Photo: kpophit.com

How do you view the pressure placed on self-producing artists in today’s fast-moving music industry? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.