A new online poll conducted by Korean community platform DC Inside is drawing attention after netizens selected the stars they believe are “most likely to regret leaving their groups.”
The survey, which ran from May 4 to May 10, collected a total of 17,809 votes and sparked heated discussion among K-pop fans due to the controversial names included in the rankings.
Taking first place was former LE SSERAFIM member Kim Garam, who received 3,527 votes — approximately 20% of the total.
Kim Garam debuted with LE SSERAFIM in 2022 but left the group shortly afterward following severe school bullying allegations connected to her middle school years. After disappearing from the public eye for a long period, she recently resurfaced by opening a personal YouTube channel and sharing updates about her current life.
In second place was Danielle of NewJeans with 3,451 votes.
Danielle and the other NewJeans members became one of the most globally successful K-pop acts of recent years, but the group’s ongoing conflict with ADOR and parent company HYBE shocked fans worldwide.
According to the article, Danielle was reportedly involved in the fallout surrounding the termination of the group’s exclusive contracts and has since faced legal disputes connected to damages claims. The singer previously addressed fans emotionally during live broadcasts discussing the difficult situation.
Third place went to Jessica Jung, who received 2,443 votes.
Jessica famously departed Girls’ Generation in 2014, one of the most shocking idol departures in K-pop history. Since leaving the group, she has pursued solo music activities while simultaneously developing her fashion business.
More recently, Jessica attracted attention after participating in a Chinese idol survival program, where she finished in second place and joined a project girl group. She also recently performed several Girls’ Generation songs during a solo concert, reigniting nostalgia among longtime fans.
Other stars mentioned in the rankings included T.O.P of BIGBANG, former FIFTY FIFTY members Aran, Sio and Saena, as well as former fromis_9 member Jang Gyuri.
The poll quickly became a trending topic online, with fans debating whether leaving successful idol groups truly leads to regret or whether many stars ultimately gain more freedom and happiness pursuing independent careers.
While some netizens argued that losing access to massive fandoms and group branding naturally creates long-term consequences, others defended the artists and pointed out that personal wellbeing, career direction and company conflicts often play a much larger role than public success alone.
