DIA’s Eunchae shocked when it was announced that she would be joining SBS’s new survival program, Universe Ticket. Most of the contestants were still in their teens. Eunchae is the oldest contestant at 24 years old internationally. She entered under her real name, Kwon Chaewon.
She performed Sunmi’s “Heroine.”
Despite giving it her all, the judges’ faces hardened immediately. Kim Sejeong, Girls’ Generation’s Hyoyeon and dancer Rian in particular were shown with flat expressions.
Kim Sejeong’s reaction.
Her performance was deemed lacklustre, compared to her many years of experience. DIA debuted in 2015, a whole 8 years ago.
배틀 위크 <1:1 배틀>
선미 – 주인공 #권채원 #KWONCHAEWON#유니버스티켓 #universeticket pic.twitter.com/KgiYdqPLfB
— 백설 (@yebin_princess) November 18, 2023
Eunchae went up against Jeon Jieun during the battle. Jieun is currently the leader of Busters, while DIA disbanded in 2022. Kim Sejeong provided both with solid advice.
(실력이 부족하더라도) 들키지 않도록 열심히 노력하고 피땀 눈물 흘려서 무대를 완벽하게 만들어내는 게 저는 아이돌이라고 생각해요.
부족할지언정 완성은 해내야죠.
20초만 부르는 그룹의 멤버일지라도 그 20초 동안만큼은 자신의 실력을 들켜서는 안돼요. pic.twitter.com/AHSaeYboUY
— 나들 (@nd0828) November 18, 2023
I don’t think that skills are that important for girl groups to be honest. But instead, you have to not let your skills be found out on stage. You can’t be caught out. And in order to not be caught, you have to really put in your blood, sweat, and tears to pull off a perfect performance. I think that’s what being an idol is. Even if it’s true that you’re lacking, you have to complete it. But the two of you, one of you is a current girl group member, and another of you is a former member. I think that these titles are very meaningless. Even if you’re a member that only sings for 20 seconds, your skills can’t be caught out in those 20 seconds. I don’t think that your skills were found out because you sang for 82 seconds here. Even if we gave you only 20 seconds, it would’ve been similar.
— Kim Sejeong
Many agreed with Kim Sejeong, for Eunchae was known as the lead singer of DIA. Fans and netizens are aware of how well she sang with DIA. This led them to be disappointed further with her performance on Universe Ticket.
Netizen reactions. | theqoo Sejeong is really good at speaking. She’s exactly right about the idol industry. I’m more convinced because she’s the one speaking. The song choice was such a miss. I remember Eunchae as a member that was good on stage. What happened? Aigoo, Eunchae was good during DIA. It’s such a pity. Since the judges only can judge her through that one performance, it’s for sure they can say that… She’s right… Was it during “WOOWA?” I saw their performance by chance and she stood out to me because she was so good. Just what had happened? Why is Sejeong so good at judging? She’s the very essence of a talent. Wow… She’s so good with her words. Wow, she’s good at speaking.
Eunchae was ranked 2nd overall during preliminary voting.
Your browser does not support video.Eunchae during her DIA days. | Tenor
Fans are shocked.