Yuqi has opened up about some important decisions she made in her career. The (G)I-DLE member revealed that she turned down SM Entertainment to debut in CUBE Entertainment’s girl group.
Here’s Why Yuqi Decided Against Signing With SM Entertainment
Yuqi was recently a guest on the MBC talk show Radio Star. During the show, the hosts pointed out that Song Yu Qi had always been a huge K-pop fan.
She confirmed, “In middle school, I was in a dance team. We even held a K-Pop festival.”
The (G)I-DLE main rapper then revealed that her initial goal was to become a trainee for SM Entertainment.
“I am a very big fan of Super Junior. So it was always my dream to go to SM Entertainment,” Yuqi said. “I auditioned for SM Entertainment’s global auditions in Beijing four times.”
She added, “After the fourth time, I saw that CUBE Entertainment was also having auditions the week afterwards, so I went ahead and auditioned for CUBE too. But then, I got a call back from both companies.”
It’s not surprising that both agencies wanted Yuqi to sign with them. However, it also meant that the Chinese idol had a huge decision to make.
“It was a huge struggle, choosing which company to go to,” she admitted. “SM was always my dream, after all. But then at that time, 4minute was making it big at CUBE.”
[📸] 2023 (G)I-DLE WORLD TOUR [I am FREE-TY] IN SEOUL D-2
네버랜드를 만날 생각에 심장이 두근두근 💓
꼭! 행복한 시간으로 만들어 줄게요 😉#여자아이들 #GIDLE#우기 #YUQI #Iam_FREETY#2023_GIDLE_WORLDTOUR pic.twitter.com/8dfhVKt3l4— (G)I-DLE·(여자)아이들 (@G_I_DLE) June 15, 2023
Yuqi continued, “So then I thought, ‘Well, it’s true that I’m cute and pretty and my visuals fit SM, but my voice is so CUBE. It is husky and more fitting for a girl crush concept’.”
So what made Yuqi decide to sign a contract with CUBE Entertainment? It was a simple offer.
“At the time, the director at Cube promised me, ‘Yuqi, if you sign with us, you will be able to debut by next year’. That was why I chose Cube,” she admitted.
[📽] 2023 (G)I-DLE WORLD TOUR [I am FREE-TY] D-2
▶ https://t.co/Y4cJmksgmo#여자아이들 #GIDLE#우기 #YUQI#Iam_FREETY#2023_GIDLE_WORLDTOUR pic.twitter.com/C31XpjRJ6s
— (G)I-DLE·(여자)아이들 (@G_I_DLE) June 15, 2023
It’s a relatable reason and we can’t blame Yuqi for making the decision. After all, most trainees have to wait several years before they could debut. Luckily for Song Yu Qi, she debuted as one of the talented members of (G)I-DLE.
(G)I-DLE is currently promoting their sixth EP I Feel. The group will begin their I AM FREE-TY World Tour in Seoul on June 17, 2023.
