Wanna One’s Lai Kuan Lin recently gained attention for announcing he would be exiting the entertainment industry. On June 14, the 22-year-old idol stated that he would be changing career paths, and fans speculated that he would instead pursue film directing full-time, as he had won awards for his directing work in the past.

Lai Kuan Lin debuted with Wanna One in 2017 at the age of 15, after participating in the competition show Produce 101. The group had a highly successful run until their contracts ended. Lai Kuan Lin’s contract with Cube Entertainment was terminated following a legal battle, after which he was no longer active as an idol in Korea. He has since starred as an actor in multiple dramas.

He was recently interviewed for a Chinese documentary, where he revealed that he had hated idol life. He stated, “I was never interested in singing or dancing in the first place. There was not a single moment of joy or happiness after my debut, there was only pain.” Lai Kuan Lin went on to reveal why he originally joined the competition show Produce 101: “I just did the audition program as a way to make money.”

With almost no news of Lai Kuan Lin’s activities since his retirement as an idol, netizens are now discussing his career trajectory and the difficulties he endured in the entertainment industry.

“It seems he must have had a hard time growing up, so he was desperate for money”

“Director?? So he won’t be a singer or actor anymore?”

“Well, we all have to work to make a living, so…”

“But didn’t he have legal problems with his agency? Maybe he could have had good memories before, but that would have ruined it for me”

“I think all the Wanna One members were just trying to make money at the end of the day. But there were serious issues with their agency, their debut, and their schedules”

“I heard he’s won awards for directing, that’s cool”

“I guess most idols only become idols in order to make money…”

“I think everyone could tell he didn’t have much passion for idol activities ㅠ I hope he finds his calling and works hard now"

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