Kim So-hee on Produce 101
As the only representative of her agency, Kim So-hee did a good job as the contestant on the first season of Mnet’s survival show Produce 101. In the early episodes, Kim So-hee was even able to achieve the sixth ranking and was considered as to be a popular trainee, earning the nickname ‘Quick So-hee’.
Her most popular performance in Produce 101 might be when she gave a powerful performance of EXO’s Call Me Baby, as you can watch below!
In June, 2016, Kim So-hee talked about her experience on Produce 101, saying that it was the hardest when she had to finish a mission within a day, “I am slow when it comes to learning, so it was hard for me to follow along with the others’ speed. The fight among the girls for the center and main vocalist spot was also no joke, hence I lost the fight”. She also mentioned some I.O.I members in her interview, “When I had a hard time, I leaned often on Jung Chaeyeon. She was a friend to whom I could relay my concerns. Jeon Somi is someone who gives off a celebrity feel even when she is just standing still. I also wanted to emulate Choi Yoojung’s charisma on stage, so I had watched her Bang Bang stage multiple times”.
Kim So-hee’s Debut as a Member of I.B.I
Besides C.I.V.A, Kim So-hee was also included in another project group made by the fans, named I.B.I, which stands for ilbanin (normal people) and phrase ‘I Believe It’. Along with Kim So-hee, I.B.I had four other members, namely Lee Hae-in, Yoon Chae-kyung, Lee Soo-hyun, and Han Hye-ri, and debuted under LOEN Entertainment. Prior to the group’s debut, the webtoon series I.B.I’s Debut Story was released, and summarized each member’s journey until they debuted as members of I.B.I.
I.B.I held their debut showcase on August 18, 2018, and released the single Molae Molae. During the event, Kim So-hee sang When the Cherry Blossoms Fade, a song that she performed as a part of Produce 101. She revealed how she nervous she was to sing the song, “I thought about Produce 101 and almost teared up”. Kim So-hee joined the promotion of I.B.I including the song and television programs until November, 2016.
Kim So-hee’s Solo Debut
After concluding her activities with C.I.V.A, I.B.I, and Girls Next Door, Kim So-hee made a debut as a female solo singer in November, 2017, by releasing her album The Fillette on November 8, 2017. The album was distributed through Genie Music and sold over 3,764 copies. You can watch the live performance of Kim So-hee’s solo debut with the title track Sobok Sobok!
Kim So-hee’s Scandal and Controversies
Soon after she finished Produce 101, Kim So-hee apologized for her controversial behavior on the premiere episode of the show through an Instagram post in early April, 2016, “I apologize sincerely to the people who were bothered by (my actions). That’s not what I meant and I wanted to explain myself, but I think people misunderstood because of my facial expression!! But I hope people understand that the facial expression was definitely not one of bad intent!!!”.
Not only expressing her regret about the controversy, Kim So-hee also thanked her fans for their endless support, “I’m so thankful for the good nickname and for those who made such pretty posters for me each time, how can you be so good!! I want to actually pay money to buy them, hehe. I thank you once again. And everyone who supported and loved me~!!!! I am reading all the DMs! Don’t worry – I just couldn’t respond to all of them because I was busy. To be honest, each message was such a big strength to me while I was filming and practicing, and I even cried a lot of times… Hehe. In the end, you guys were the strength behind how far I was able to come. The fans who supported me and those who voted for me!!!! You are the best, prettiest, and the most shining people in the world”.
In June, 2017, she revealed a shocking experience from her early days through the television program Idol Drama Operations Team. It turned out that the CEO of her former agency had proposed to her, “He actually saw me as a woman. I was so scared that I could not even reject him right away. When there was a schedule I had to attend to, he would have me sit in the passenger’s seat beside him and drive me around. He even sincerely proposed to me, saying, ‘Let’s get married.’ I think you have to experience these kinds of situations if you want to debut”. That was completely terrifying! We sincerely hope Kim So-hee will only experience good things in the future.
