Celebrity

How Ex I.O.I Kyulkyung Went From Nation’s Visual to a Name in Controversy

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Kyulkyung (Zhou Jieqiong), once crowned the top visual of K-pop and a fan favorite from Produce 101, is now grappling with a major career downturn. From her explosive debut with I.O.I to a string of controversies and career missteps, the former Pledis Entertainment trainee and Pristin member has seen her public image plummet.

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A Meteoric Rise in K-pop

Born in Zhejiang, China in 1998, Kyulkyung trained under Pledis Entertainment and first caught fans’ attention through SEVENTEEN TV in 2013. By 2016, her appearance on Produce 101 launched her into fame. Voted #1 visual by fellow trainees and securing 6th place overall, she debuted with I.O.I, one of the most iconic project girl groups of its time.

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The group quickly rose to fame with hits like Dream Girls and Whatta Man (Good Man), where Kyulkyung’s visuals and stage presence stood out. I.O.I’s success was further solidified with variety show appearances and chart-topping songs, even earning multiple music show wins.

Following I.O.I’s disbandment in 2017, Kyulkyung joined Pristin, which debuted with Wee Woo and achieved early commercial success. The group was dubbed a potential TWICE rival, thanks to strong visuals and performance.

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From Idol Stardom to Stalled Career

Despite the promising start, Pristin disbanded in 2019. Kyulkyung’s attempt to maintain her K-pop presence floundered. Her participation in Pristin V and solo debut in China with Why failed to gain traction. Later singles like Should I Go and Little Star didn’t resonate with the public.

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She turned to acting, starring in Chinese dramas like Miss Truth and Legend of Fei. However, her performances were criticized as lacking depth, and she faced backlash over alleged screen time disputes with veteran actress Zhao Liying.

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In 2019, Kyulkyung unilaterally terminated her contracts with Pledis Entertainment and XCSS Entertainment, prompting legal action from both companies. Fans and netizens labeled her “ungrateful”, accusing her of abandoning the agencies that launched her career.

The lawsuit dragged into late 2020, severely damaging her reputation in Korea. Despite her attempts to rebuild her career in China, the legal scandal followed her, marking a sharp decline from her previous image as a rising star.

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Controversial Personal Life and Public Image

Kyulkyung’s image suffered further due to persistent dating rumors with high-profile figures like Wang Sicong, Lay Zhang, and Cai Xukun. None of the relationships were confirmed, but speculation and her responses—often seen as tone-deaf—kept her in the headlines for the wrong reasons.

In 2022, she was accused of flaunting fake designer items, after posting photos of an alleged luxury handbag later exposed as counterfeit. Social media erupted, branding her “inauthentic” and “attention-seeking.” Her fashion credibility and personal brand took a serious hit.

Even her candid moments on variety shows drew criticism, with remarks deemed “low EQ” and inconsiderate of peers, further alienating fans.

A Star in Decline

By 2025, Kyulkyung’s career remains stagnant. Despite a minor resurgence through her role in Brocade Odyssey (2024), she has yet to land a breakout performance. Once a member of an elite visual line, she is now relegated to supporting roles in low-profile productions, categorized by the industry as a “tier-18” or C-list actress.

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What started as a fairytale journey from Produce 101 to K-pop stardom has unraveled into a cautionary tale about fame, mismanagement, and public perception. Whether Kyulkyung can reclaim even a fraction of her former glory remains uncertain—but for now, her story is one of potential squandered by controversy.

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