ALLDAY PROJECT’s Annie Moon Shares Her Ten-Year Struggle to Become a K-Pop Idol Despite Family Opposition

Annie Moon, the granddaughter of Shinsegae Group’s chairwoman, had to get into an Ivy League university before her wealthy family allowed her to debut as a K-pop idol.

The co-ed group ALLDAY PROJECT, under THE BLACK LABEL, has been making headlines since their debut. One member, Annie Moon, stands out not just for her talent but also for her background. She comes from one of South Korea’s richest families, the Shinsegae Group, which owns major department stores and is linked to the Samsung empire.

During an appearance on BIGBANG Daesung’s YouTube show, Annie revealed the tough condition her family set before letting her pursue music: she had to get into an Ivy League university.

“It took about ten years. At first they were 100% against it. But I kept saying I really wanted to do this. And finally, the deal was, ‘If you get into the Ivy League, we’ll let you.’”

Annie fulfilled this condition by getting into Columbia University, one of the most prestigious schools in the U.S. When asked if her family kept their promise, she joked, “They had no choice. They’d already made the deal.”

Annie Moon’s Family Background and Early Struggles

Annie is the granddaughter of Lee Myung-hee, the chairwoman of Shinsegae Group, and the great-granddaughter of Lee Byung-chul, the founder of Samsung. Her mother, Chung Yoo-kyung, is a high-ranking executive at Shinsegae. Growing up in such a powerful family, Annie faced strong resistance when she first expressed her dream of becoming a singer.

“One day, I casually asked my mom, ‘What would you think if I became a singer?’ and she just laughed it off, saying, ‘That’s ridiculous.’”

She brought it up again years later, but her mother firmly refused. The turning point came when her family agreed to support her only if she got into a top university. Annie studied intensely, barely sleeping, and eventually secured admission to Columbia.

ALLDAY PROJECT’s Debut and Early Success

ALLDAY PROJECT debuted on June 23, 2025, with their single “FAMOUS”, which quickly climbed music charts. The group, consisting of Annie, Tarzzan, Bailey, Woochan, and Youngseo, is unique because it’s co-ed, a rarity in today’s K-pop scene.

Their debut track “FAMOUS” entered Melon’s Top 100 at No. 9, while “WICKED” ranked at No. 63. The music video also trended at No. 1 on YouTube, proving their strong start.

Challenges of Being a “Chaebol Idol”

Annie’s wealthy background has brought extra attention—and pressure. Some fans question if she’s truly serious about music or just doing it as a hobby.

“People often doubt whether I’m really serious about this path, so I’ve had to show more to prove how much it means to me.”

Despite the doubts, Annie remains determined. Her love for music started when she was seven after watching 2NE1 and BIGBANG’s “Lollipop” music video.

Legal Trouble Over the Group’s Name

While ALLDAY PROJECT gains popularity, they’re also facing a legal challenge. Australian rapper Allday claims he owns the trademark for the name and has threatened legal action.

“I have a trademark on the name Allday. Maybe I don’t have 20 billion streams like that K-pop s*… But I do exist and own the trademark to my name. Prepare for the greatest legal battle of all time.”

The rapper’s comments sparked backlash from K-pop fans, but the group’s agency, THE BLACK LABEL, has not yet responded.

The Future of ALLDAY PROJECT

The group is breaking norms as a co-ed act in an industry dominated by single-gender groups. Experts are watching closely to see if they can succeed where others have struggled.

Also Read: ALLDAY PROJECT’s Live Vocals Impress Netizens; See Their Reactions and Performance Highlights

Annie’s journey—from a wealthy heiress to a K-pop idol—shows her dedication. Now, she and ALLDAY PROJECT are ready to prove themselves in the competitive world of K-pop.

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