Lee Saerom After fromis_9 Left PLEDIS: Embracing New Beginnings and Chasing Her Acting Dream

Recently, IZE sat down with Lee Saerom, the former leader of fromis_9, at a café in Gangnam. Over the course of nearly two hours, she spoke candidly about her past, present, and future. Her calm and thoughtful words highlighted why she had been the leader of the group.

Looking Back: A Leader’s Journey

As a leader, she had always prioritized the group’s unity, believing fromis_9 was truly complete only when all eight members stood together. However, as time passed, it became evident that each member had different aspirations. Respecting their choices, Saerom began to reflect on her own long-held dream, one she had nurtured since the age of 13.

She shared, “I joined an acting agency in middle school, but due to my age, they suggested I try being an idol first. That led me to fromis_9, which became my whole world. As my contract neared its end, I asked myself, ‘What do I really want?’ While I loved my members, for the first time, I considered my own happiness, making the decision to leave incredibly difficult.”

Reflecting on her time in fromis_9, Saerom admitted, “If I could go back, I’d tell myself, ‘It’s okay to ease up a little.’ I never realized how much pressure I put on myself until I became a leader. I pushed myself to the point of burnout. Around our fifth year, I sought counseling and discovered that my stress was largely due to my overwhelming sense of responsibility.” She wondered if her perfectionism had made things difficult for the members during their active years.

Embracing Change: A New Path

After parting ways with PLEDIS Entertainment late last year, Saerom spent months reflecting on her future before ultimately deciding to pursue acting.

Now, for the first time, she is navigating her career independently, stepping away from the structured guidance of an agency. She is currently meeting with various acting management companies and embracing the freedom of making her own choices. “Nothing is set in stone yet, but I’m exploring my options while taking time for myself. Scheduling and managing everything on my own is a completely new experience, but I’m enjoying the challenge. Back when I was in the group, I never knew when my next schedule would pop up, so I would stay in bed longer than necessary just in case. Now, I’ve built a routine, I visit cafés in the morning or go to the library.”

Moving Forward: A Future with Courage

For Saerom, fromis_9 shaped her twenties. Now, she is venturing into unfamiliar territory, leaving behind the comfort of the past to pursue a new dream. The journey won’t be easy, but after years of devotion to her group, she is finally putting her own aspirations first. Choosing herself while continuing to support her former team with warmth makes this next chapter even more meaningful.

“I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has supported me as fromis_9’s Lee Saerom. Moving forward, I will simply be Lee Saerom. While I’m unsure what colors I will express as an individual, one thing remains clear: I want to stand with a kind and healthy heart. With courage, I will keep moving forward, and I hope you’ll support me with an open heart.”

Last month, reports emerged that AKMU’s Lee Chanhyuk and fromis_9’s Lee Saerom had split, despite never confirming their relationship. Dating rumors first arose in October 2022 when they were seen at a craft workroom, with fans noticing similarities in their social media posts.