Former NU’EST’s Aron opened up about why he wanted to withdraw from the group after “Produce” success of 4 other members
Aron felt pressured after NU’EST gained popularity through “Produce 101” thanks to his members.
In the latest episode of the podcast “Korean Cowboys” posted on YouTube on May 13th, former NU’EST member Aron opened up about what he went through when he was active as a K-pop idol. In particular, he drew attention by sharing his honest thoughts for the first time regarding his members’ appearances on Mnet’s survival show “Produce 101” season 2 in 2017.
Aron confessed that when 4 other members Ren, Baekho, Minhyun, and JR joined “Produce 101” as contestants and brought major success to NU’EST as a whole, he felt so much burden that he wanted to leave the group:
“My group members went on a show called ‘Produce 101.’ I was the only member who didn’t go on the show for a multitude of reasons. After they went on the show, our group found success. And starting from that point on, I felt like I had a big weight on my shoulders. I actually wanted to leave the group after the show ended. I think I just wanted to leave. I didn’t want to ride off my members’ coattails. And my company was like, ‘It’s alright. It’s not like you didn’t do anything for the last 5-6 years. You worked hard too’.”
Aron went on to reveal how other members comforted him when he told them about the pressure he felt, “When I talked to my members, I guess they knew the conversation was coming. They were like, ‘Hyung, shut up. Just follow us. We’ll take care of you’. To this day, I’m still grateful to my members for that. And my company too. They helped me through a weird time.”
Although he was assured by his members and company that everything was fine, Aron said it was during this post-Produce period that he started suffering from anxiety disorder because of the huge pressure he felt. In 2021, Aron had to take a 6-month break from NU’EST promotions due to mental health concerns.
Meanwhile, NU’EST released their last album and officially disbanded in March of this year with Aron, JR, and Ren parting ways with Pledis Entertainment upon the expiration of their 10 year-contract.
