Annie, a member of the mixed gender group ALLDAY PROJECT, will be taking a temporary step back from full scale entertainment activities to focus on her studies, as she prepares to return to Columbia University for the upcoming spring semester.
According to industry sources, Annie is scheduled to depart for New York later this month, where Columbia University is located. She is currently majoring in Art History and Visual Arts and is expected to complete her final semester, marking an important academic milestone.
Balancing Education and Music
Annie’s academic focus will span approximately five months, during which time she plans to prioritize coursework. However, this does not signal a complete halt to her entertainment career. Her agency confirmed that she remains open to participating in group activities where possible, including album production and selective schedules.
Discussions are reportedly underway regarding a fan signing event in March, and Annie is also considering live broadcasts and other online platforms to stay connected with fans during her time abroad.
Group Activities to Continue
While Annie concentrates on her studies, the remaining members of ALLDAY PROJECT will continue their activities without interruption. The group is actively working on new music, leveraging their reputation as a self-producing team with high involvement in songwriting and choreography. Member Tarzan is also expected to expand his individual schedule, including participation in a new variety show produced by Na Young-seok, one of Korea’s most prominent television producers.
A Background Marked by Determination
Annie’s decision to pursue higher education alongside an idol career has long been a defining part of her public narrative. She is the daughter of Chung Yoo-kyung, chairwoman of Shinsegae Group, and the granddaughter of Lee Myung-hee, honorary chairwoman of the conglomerate.
According to Annie, her decision to debut as a singer was initially met with strong opposition from her family. Her mother reportedly expressed firm disapproval, prompting Annie to persistently argue for her dream. Eventually, a condition was set: she would need to gain admission to an Ivy League university. Annie fulfilled that requirement by scoring 1530 out of 1600 on the SAT, earning her acceptance to Columbia University after which she was allowed to pursue her music career.