She seemed like a cool person during the Produce 101 era. She was maknae on top, self assured without being cocky, and I figured it was due to her mixed raced upbringing, maybe she was sillier and more carefree than some of the other contestants.
She made a good impression on Sixteen as well. Don’t remember why exactly she was cut.
Over the years, she maintained a high visibility, and even if her songs were hit or miss in terms of charting, it seemed like she was always friends with Kpop A-listers and was considered “one of them” by the idols themselves. Like I said on a different sub, I didn’t know what kind of person she was turning into. Seriously, I just didn’t know, I wasn’t following her that closely. It wasn’t because I saw indications this might be true, but was she turning into a person the likes of which I see in America, and around Los Angeles? Too cool for school… everything is boring… talk with vocal fry… don’t talk to me unless you’re rich and famous… only take me to expensive places? I just didn’t know.
Well, she’s the complete opposite. Watching the videos on her Youtube channel started opening my eyes, starting with the one where she gets matcha with little sis Evelyn. I clicked on it because I hadn’t seen Evelyn since Happy Together, when she revealed she likes her Korean BBQ’ed meat with dipping sauces.
But in these videos, I saw that Somi was very smart… she’d been around and she had a point of view, everything around her, she was deconstructing things… she lived in a modest apartment (I’m sure it’s quite out of reach for most people her age with regular jobs in Seoul), seems very independent… she’s a people person, is considerate of others, tries to make things fun and comfortable for them… she took her acting role very seriously…
Okay, but did you know she wrote and produced Suddenly for the comeback?. If you want to see her in action, just skip to 19:50.
The members cite Chung Ha’s passion and friendship as the main catalyst for the comeback happening, but once it got rolling, it seems they admit Somi became the de facto leader.
The two videos above are on Somi’s Youtube Channel, so presumably she produced them, if not edited them herself knowing her. And they are VERY well produced. I sometimes struggle getting through these videos even when I love the group. Not sure who is producing them, but just so must filler and uninteresting stuff. Not sure if they would rather err on being a bit boring rather than get kpop fans all upset about something or what. But the IOI videos on Somi’s channel are very entertaining. The girls seem relaxed, super friendly with one another, and they’re allowed to be a bit cheeky. Somi herself kind of moderates and hosts the rooftop dinner, drinking session, and she does a great job. The questions and answers area all clip worthy, nobody is being demur, saying a lot of nothing.
And so on and so on, I didn’t know your game, Somi. She could be the first female SM, JYP, YG, Bang level Kpop mogul for all I know.
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