{
  "id": 8173600,
  "title": "Former K-pop idol goes viral after group disbands, juggles 4 part-time jobs while starting over at 22",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/former-k-pop-idol-goes-viral-after-group-disbands-juggles-4-part-time",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-18T04:57:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/trends/20260918/former-k-pop-idol-goes-viral-after-group-disbands-juggles-4-part-time-jobs-while-starting-over-at-22"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former ARrC member Park Hyun-bin has gained significant attention on the internet following his K-pop group's disbandment. The 22-year-old documented his life during this transition, which includes a 155-kilometer walk across South Korea and a new life juggling four part-time jobs. Park launched his YouTube channel, \"Gwangjin City Boy,\" in July, where he has uploaded just three videos so far. Despite this, his honest and candid account of losing the dream he pursued since his teenage years has resonated with viewers.\n\nThe three-part series, titled \"22 years old, quit being an idol and walking 155 km from Seoul to Jecheon,\" follows Park as he embarks on his foot journey from Seoul to Jecheon, a city in North Chungcheong Province. Park first gained recognition among K-pop audiences through Mnet's idol audition program, \"Boys Planet,\" in 2023. He debuted as a member of boy group ARrC in August 2024, but the group disbanded less than two years later, in June 2026.\n\nPark expressed his thoughts in his first video, stating, \"I started training to become an idol when I was 14. I entered this industry with the dream of becoming a successful performer.\"",
  "summary": "Former ARrC member Park Hyun-bin is drawing widespread attention online after documenting his life following the K-pop group's disbandment, including a 155-kilometer walk across Korea and a new routine juggling four part-time jobs, from warehouse shifts to construction work. Park, 22, launched his YouTube channel \"Gwangjin City Boy\" in July. Despite having uploaded just three videos, his candid…",
  "key_points": [
    "22-year-old former K-pop idol Park Hyun-bin gains internet attention post-group disbandment.",
    "Park documents life changes, including 155-km walk and four part-time jobs.",
    "YouTube channel Gwangjin City Boy launched in July with three videos."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Park's relatable and candid online account of abandoning his K-pop dream and rebuilding his life at 22 has resonated with viewers, offering a rare glimpse into the challenges of idols.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Former K-pop idol goes viral after group disbands, juggles 4 part-time jobs while starting over at 22",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/former-k-pop-idol-goes-viral-after-group-disbands-juggles-4-part-time-8175668",
        "published": "2026-09-18T05:07:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}