Jeon Somi shared her honest feelings about adjusting to her new role as a sunbae and unnie in the industry.
On the August 20 broadcast of MBC FM4U’s Noon Song of Hope with Kim Shin Young, Jeon Somi appeared as a guest. During the show, DJ Kim Shin Young surprised her with a voice message from rookie girl group KiiiKiii.
The members sweetly said, “Since Produce 101, you have been our one pick,” “All of my first experiences were with you, sunbaenim,” and “We love you, sunbaenim,” showing their admiration.
Hearing this, Jeon Somi laughed and confessed, “I recently filmed content with the KiiiKiii members. Since they said I’m their favorite sunbae, I was really happy, but honestly it was one of the hardest recordings of my life. I was always the youngest everywhere."
She added, "I only had my I.O.I unnies. But now suddenly I’m the unnie, I’m the sunbaenim. These really cute friends kept calling me unnie and saying they liked me so much, but I didn’t know how to treat them. It was so hard… but they were so cute.”
She went on to admit, “Whenever our promotions overlapped and I ran into them in the hallway, I would get startled. I like them a lot though.” Kim Shin Young commented that this must be the “feeling of being a sunbae for the first time,” and Jeon Somi agreed, “Yes, that’s right.”
Later, when asked to send a message back, Jeon Somi said warmly, “KiiiKiii, we promised to speak casually with each other, but sometimes I slipped into polite speech—sorry about that. I’m still trying."
She added, "Please know that I’m sincere. I’m really thankful, and soon I’ll open my heart and get closer to you. Please keep liking me, and I’ll keep supporting you too. Thank you.”
Kim Shin Young then reminded listeners that while Jeon Somi is still only 24, she has already been active for 10 years since her debut, noting, “She was only an unnie at home,” making it clear why stepping into the sunbae role feels so new for her.
Source: [1]
