On May 17 KST, fromis_9 interacted with their fans through a Weverse Live.

During this broadcast, the members talked about their wishes for 2024. Then, member Park Jiwon said, "For me, to receive my first pay by the end of this year." The other group members reacted with surprise and silence after hearing this, confusing the fans. 

Many netizens, especially fans of fromis_9, expressed their confusion and disbelief after hearing Park Jiwon's remark. Many wondered if Park Jiwon was referring to her "first pay of the year", as they found it difficult to believe that fromis_9, who debuted in 2018, has not been paid once in their 6-years of promotions. 

fromis_9 debuted in January of 2018 after being selected as winners of the Mnet idol survival program, 'Idol School'. Then, in August of 2021, fromis_9 signed new contracts when their management was transferred from Off The Record Entertainment to Pledis Entertainment.

As Jiwon's comment was made without much context or explanation, netizens cautioned against making dramatic speculations. Some said,

"There's no way that they have never been paid since debut. Their contract is also different from most idol groups who start off with debts from their trainee contracts, since they were chosen from a survival show.They even 'renewed' their contracts in 2021 with the label transition, so there must be some conditions that we don't know about."

"She must mean either she hasn't been paid this year, or they haven't been paid since they re-signed their contracts with Pledis. Based on what we know about how K-Pop idols and their pays work, there's no way that they've never been paid."

"Pledis is usually good about paying their idols their shares right after the promotions end. She must be talking about this year."

"They didn't have a comeback this year so it makes sense that they didn't get paid this year."

"They've had plenty of concerts and festival appearances. Unless something is off about their contracts, they should be getting paid."

"Survival program idols don't have trainee debts. It makes zero sense that they didn't make any money in 6 years." 

"The way she said it was too confusing. A lot of people might misunderstand."

Others also left comments like,

"If this is true, that's a serious problem. The company should be doing more to make sure they generate profit."

"It looked to me like they live in nice dorms. If the management is taking extra chucks out of their revenues for unnecessary things, they should go talk to the company directly to sort it out."

"I really hope she's talking about this year and not since her debut, because that would be so sad."

"Hope they can have a comeback this year!"

"There's no way that they've never been paid in 6-years. That aside, Pledis, give them a good comeback!"

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