Annie Moon, the rookie idol whose debut sparked both excitement and skepticism due to her family lineage, is now at the center of a heated controversy. A recently leaked intimate video has ignited public backlash, calling her place in the rising co-ed group ALLDAY PROJECT into question.
The group, produced by hitmaker Teddy under THE BLACK LABEL, debuted with the high-budget MV “Famous”, quickly gaining attention not only for its sound but for being dubbed “K-pop’s wealthiest rookie group.” The lineup includes Bailey, Tarzzan, Woochan, Yeongseo, and of course, Annie Moon — the name that’s stirred the most conversation since day one.
Born Moon Seo-yoon in 2002, Annie carries the weight of a powerful legacy — she’s the granddaughter of Shinsegae chair Lee Myung-hee and niece of vice chairman Chung Yong-jin, linking her to both Shinsegae and Samsung. Her elite status led many to question whether her debut was earned or inherited.
The scrutiny intensified after an old video surfaced on X (formerly Twitter), showing Annie in an affectionate moment with a man — alleged to be Samuel Lim — who kisses her neck and embraces her from behind. The footage, presumably from before her idol training days, has divided public opinion.
While some netizens are demanding her removal from the group, comparing her to former LE SSERAFIM member Kim Garam, others argue that Annie is being unfairly targeted because of her background.
“If she wasn’t a chaebol, she’d have been gone already,” one comment read.
“She knew the idol world has strict expectations. This kind of public history? Unacceptable,” said another.
Critics argue that Annie has violated the unwritten rules of the idol industry, where a spotless, often romantically-neutral image is the standard — especially for rookies. They accuse her of using her family name as a shield from consequences others would certainly face.
However, a growing faction is pushing back against the outrage, stating that expecting idols — especially women — to have no personal history before debut is unrealistic and unfair.
“So what if she dated before becoming an idol?” one supporter wrote. “She wasn’t doing anything illegal.”
Annie is no stranger to the spotlight. Apart from her current idol activities, she’s a student at Columbia University, a model, and a known socialite in the K-pop elite circle — having ties with artists from BLACKPINK and 2NE1, and even previously rumored to have dated G-Dragon.
With her future in ALLDAY PROJECT now uncertain, the controversy has reignited larger conversations in the industry: Should idols be judged for pre-debut relationships? Is the standard different for those with privilege?
As the situation continues to unfold, Annie Moon remains silent — and the K-pop world waits to see whether her star will rise or be dimmed by scandal.
