fromis_9 member Jiwon has opened up about the financial difficulties she says she faced during the earlier years of her idol career.
During the August 29 episode of JTBC’s Knowing Bros, Jiwon said she went about seven years without receiving settlement payments from her entertainment activities and relied on financial help from her mother.
Speaking about that period, she shared, “I worked without receiving settlement payments. I barely managed to live on the allowance my mom gave me.”
Jiwon also recalled feeling anxious whenever she was expected to pay for meals because she worried that her card might not have enough money.
She explained, “There were times when I had to pay for the meal. I was always nervous that my card might say there wasn’t enough balance.”
The singer clarified that her financial situation has since changed and that she is now receiving settlement payments.
Jiwon previously made similar comments during an appearance on the YouTube show Workman in June. At the time, she said she had only recently begun receiving settlements and had started saving money.
Her latest remarks again drew attention to the financial realities some idols may face during the early stages of their careers, when entertainment-related income does not necessarily translate into immediate personal earnings.
Jiwon debuted with fromis_9 in January 2018 following Mnet’s Idol School. The group later ended its exclusive contracts with Pledis Entertainment on December 31, 2025.
Jiwon, Song Ha Young, Lee Chae Young, Lee Na Gyung, and Baek Ji Heon subsequently signed with ASND and continued activities together.
While Jiwon discussed spending years without settlement income, her comments were presented as her personal account of her financial experience rather than a detailed explanation of the contractual or accounting reasons behind the situation.
