Kim Sejeong proved that sometimes talent DOES win. How?

From a beloved and talented main vocalist (which are hard to come by these days in KPOP - and are usually the least successful members in terms of popularity in a group), she managed to become a successful actress, despite not many people hyping her up, calling her an IT girl, saying she has "actress looks/vibes" or media play from a big company. How did she manage to achieve the success that she has today? Is she proof that sometimes hard work and talent actually pay off? Discuss.

Quote from OP

From a beloved and talented main vocalist (which are hard to come by these days in KPOP - and are usually the least successful members in terms of popularity in a group), she managed to become a successful actress, despite not many people hyping her up, calling her an IT girl, saying she has "actress looks/vibes" or media play from a big company. How did she manage to achieve the success that she has today? Is she proof that sometimes hard work and talent actually pay off? Discuss.

She's very talented, also very pretty.

Sometimes hard work doesn't pay off, you have to be lucky. Sometimes looks doesn't cut it, you have to be lucky. Sometimes talent doesn't cut it, you have to be lucky. So essentially, it's 70% lucky and then everything else.

There are plenty of cases where talented actors and actresses worked in the industry for years and years, and BAM, just one project and they got known. In some cases, after decades, same with singers.

She's a rare exception because hardwork and talent do not always and rarely translate to success and popularity. I mean, how many top/big name groups especially in recent years are actually "hardwork and talent" vs from a big company or has a big name pre-debut/re-debut idol?

And I know everyone always talk about how mistreated or mismanaged their faves are by their companies, but has there been a case as bad as Sejeong and Jellyfish? They've done absolutely nothing for her except milking her popularity to death, and placing her in horrible situations like a dumb team name, a large numbered group, stupid title song choices and shit promotions. I mean they literally told her they wouldnt give her an album unless her first single comeback has gotten good reception. Considering how huge she was domestically during PD101 and IOI, they've completely delayed and shunned her success and she's had to work her way back to where she is now.

Quote from OP

From a beloved and talented main vocalist (which are hard to come by these days in KPOP - and are usually the least successful members in terms of popularity in a group), she managed to become a successful actress, despite not many people hyping her up, calling her an IT girl, saying she has "actress looks/vibes" or media play from a big company. How did she manage to achieve the success that she has today? Is she proof that sometimes hard work and talent actually pay off? Discuss.

She has a good persona, and stuck to it even when it got rough. She also handled her personal finances well, so when she got out of Gugudan, she could easily have a far more successful comeback.

I think it's a combination of talent, circumstance, luck, personality and good looks.

P101 put her on the map, you could argue that Somi had an unfair advantage being already known from the show that created Twice. Even with that Sejeong was the only competition for no1, and I dont think she ever dropped out of the top2 or 3.

Despite the failure of Jellyfish with Gugudan, in a way I think it was a positive for Sejeong personally. She was easily recognisable as the face of the group, and there was a large amount of sympathy she gained from being stuck in such an underperforming group.

Other than that, she's just really likeable, she has that girl next door, best friend/low maintenance gf kind of vibe. She is also really good looking if not the typical korean cold beauty.

At the height of Produce craze, she was the one who promoted the most among the girls, every other show - variety, music whatever, she was there

Somi was not that put to task by JYPE and others not that much in demand.

Her personality that came through in 101, was perfect for Korean TV shows and CFs

And she definitely worked hard, reminded me when IU was doing Heroes, acting in Dream High, hosting and radio shows, all while promoting music.

Sejeong built her network and credibility.

So irrespective of failures of gugudan/jellyfish mistakes, PDs knew they had a solid performer and attention puller.

So kept giving opportunities to her, even if many of them weren't successes, it was very obvious that it wasn't due to her lack of skills or hardwork. That is paying off more and more.

Though not to Sejeong's extent, Mina has also done fairly well for herself.

So glad to see Sejeong succeed fantastically. Well deserved.