I Am SOLO's Yeong-ja Choi Yeo-reum explores acting dreams

Yeong-ja Choi Yeo-reum, who previously faced scrutiny over influencer contract controversies, shared footage of her monologue practice on social media on the 20th. While the former "I Am SOLO" participant expressed a desire to try acting again if she finds leeway in her life, she has not officially declared a full-scale career in the industry.

Yeong-ja Choi Yeo-reum (active name Yeoujini) from the 25th season of "I Am SOLO" has candidly shared her dreams of becoming an actress. Following a period of scrutiny regarding influencer contract controversies, she has drawn attention to her potential entry into the entertainment industry by revealing footage of herself immersed in serious monologue practice. However, as she has not officially declared a full-scale career in acting, it remains uncertain whether this will lead to a formal debut.

On the 20th, Yeong-ja posted a video of her acting practice on her social media alongside the text, "IAC Monologue Exhibition D-3." In the video, dressed in comfortable casual clothing, she is seen repeating lines and focusing on emotional expression by varying her facial expressions and tone of voice according to the situation. Her immersion in the craft, moving beyond a simple experience, caught the attention of viewers.

The reality she faced was not easy. Yeong-ja confessed, "My spirit was greatly crushed among the very wonderful and passionate experienced actors, but I was able to learn and feel many things." She explained that while she realized her own shortcomings by working alongside those who have honed their acting skills for a long time, the experience was equally valuable.

She did not hide her vague longing for the profession of acting. "When I started making content, I honestly wondered, 'What if I could become a truly wonderful actor?'" Yeong-ja revealed. The small imagination that began during the content creation process has evolved into a more concrete dream through her direct experience with acting.

However, she did not focus solely on her own potential. "Watching actors who approach their work with all their hearts, I felt how much of a desperate dream my vague imaginings are to someone else," she confessed, adding, "I felt small in the face of that passion and skill." This is interpreted as her realizing the gap between romantically imagining being an actor and the actual effort required to walk that path.

Yeong-ja maintained a cautious stance, stating she has no intention of jumping into the entertainment industry immediately. "Once this exhibition is over, I will probably return to my daily life, but I don't think I will be able to forget the experiences and lessons I gained for a long time," she added. "If I find some leeway in my life someday, I would like to try again." While leaving open the possibility that this remains a one-time experience, she expressed a desire to challenge herself in acting again in the future.

Previously, Yeong-ja and Yeong-sik from the 20th season chose each other as final selections on ENA and SBS Plus's "I Am SOLO, Love Continues," though they did not develop into a real couple. After becoming known to viewers through the broadcast, she drew attention as an illustrator and content creator.

The controversy regarding influencer contracts that arose before the end of the broadcast remained another challenge for her. Controversy erupted when it was revealed that Yeong-ja, who had stated during the broadcast that she had no intention of becoming an influencer, had signed a contract with a creator agency. Consequently, the production team restricted her participation in live broadcasts citing contract violations and other reasons. Yeong-ja later explained the circumstances of the contract and apologized via social media.

Having expanded her scope from illustrator to broadcast appearances and content activities, Yeong-ja has now experienced the new field of acting. While she has not reached the stage of confirming an acting debut, interest is gathering regarding how this challenge—where she confirmed both her potential and her limits through direct experience—will influence her future steps.

Read the original (Korean)