4th-Gen Girl Group Idol Admits To Being Subjected To “Slave Labor”

A beloved fourth-generation girl group member has stirred up a controversy after revealing her company’s financial abuse.

The idol in question is Yiren, a former member of EVERGLOW.

In a recent interview, Yiren talked about her eight-year stint as an EVERGLOW member and left netizens shocked by admitting that she received zero income out of that career!

Reporter: Didn’t you say previously that you debuted for 6 years and had zero income?

Yiren: 8 years. 8 years or 6 years? 7 years? I can’t remember. 8 years. Around there.

Yiren also admitted that during all those years, she survived on the allowance she received from her mother. When asked if her financial condition had improved more than before, the idol responded that it was still not good enough for her to give an allowance to her mother.

everglow ex member yiren shared in an interview that she has received zero income over her 8‑year career. She currently relies mainly on living expenses from her mother and hopes to save money soon to repay her parents.#Yiren #EVERGLOW #Yiren8YearsZeroIncome #왕이런8년수입제로 pic.twitter.com/GtXB5f6zHL

— 빛· (@c_everglow) September 26, 2026

Reporter: So how did you get through that period of time?

Yiren: With allowance from my mom.

Reporter: What about now? Has your income situation improved?

Yiren: Yes, it has improved.

Reporter: Improved to what extent? Do you give your mom allowance money now?

Yiren: Uh, not that much.

This candid confession has triggered massive backlash on social media, with netizens calling out Yuehua Entertainment, the agency that previously managed EVERGLOW.

reminder that yuehua is literal evil incarnate the girls deserved so much better than this

— cait ʚଓ semi ia 📚 (@zhbinist) September 26, 2026

this is crazy because it’s not like everglow was a group that was popular only with streams or something,they were doing a ton of pretty successful tours and stuff which definitely makes money yuehua is just evil and greedy

— jey 🏁🪞⚰️🧬 (@jidh_) September 26, 2026

everglow was a big BIG thing back then … intinya YH ent jahat ☹️

— َ (@jealouzsy) September 26, 2026

This group was done so dirty man

— lucky vicky (@funkandseoul) September 26, 2026

idols continue to speak up about the slave labour they’ve been subjected to and yet nothing changes. as much as i love the music and the creativity the industry produces, it is so so so corrupt

— ophelia 💓 feel your PULSE (RESCENE CB) (@httpsriwoolee) September 26, 2026

Meanwhile, EVERGLOW left Yuehua Entertainment and signed with CHXXTA Company in 2025, rebranding as a four-member group featuring Sihyeon, E:U, Onda, and Aisha, after Yiren and Mia departed from the group.