“AirPods felt expensive”… All Day Project’s Annie draws attention with study-abroad story

An unexpected story from Annie of All Day Project’s high school years in the United States is gaining attention online, offering a rare glimpse into the daily life of one of Korea’s most talked-about “chaebol-born idols.”

Annie, whose real name is Moon Seo-yoon, is the granddaughter of Shinsegae Group chairwoman Lee Myung-hee and the eldest daughter of Shinsegae president Chung Yoo-kyung. While her family background has long been a topic of public interest, the newly shared episode is spreading for a different reason its surprisingly ordinary tone.

A memory from her U.S. school days

The story was revealed by Pica Project CEO Song Ja-ho through a video uploaded to his YouTube channel last month, where he recalled meeting Annie during their time studying in the United States.

According to Song, Annie was part of a close circle of Korean international students who occasionally met for meals and social gatherings, even if they attended different schools. He said that most students were already aware of her family background but that she never made it obvious.

What drew particular attention was his description of a casual conversation about buying a new pair of AirPods.

Despite the price being relatively affordable for most students, Annie reportedly hesitated, wondering whether she should buy them because they felt expensive at the time. In a joking moment, she even asked if he could buy them for her.

The anecdote quickly spread across online communities, with many users reacting to the contrast between her public image and what sounded like an ordinary high-school dilemma.

“Real chaebol students often spend less”

Song added that, in his experience, students from the wealthiest families often used less money during their school years than those from mid-sized business backgrounds, a comment that further fueled discussion around Annie’s modest lifestyle at the time.

He also shared that he did not know she was preparing to become an idol back then, although he remembered her as someone who naturally stood out.

From Manhattan student to K-pop debut

Annie moved to New York in elementary school and later graduated from the prestigious Chapin School in Manhattan. She went on to study art history and visual arts at Columbia University.

After debuting with All Day Project in June last year, she temporarily paused her studies but returned to campus for the spring semester and is expected to graduate in May.

Her journey — from an elite academic path in the U.S. to a K-pop debut — has already made her one of the most closely watched rookie idols.

Why the story is resonating

The renewed attention surrounding the AirPods episode reflects the ongoing fascination with Annie’s dual identity.

As a member of a major conglomerate family, she is often viewed through the lens of wealth and status. Yet the study-abroad story presents a much more relatable image: a teenager worrying about the price of a trendy device and spending time with friends like any other student.

That contrast is precisely what is turning a short memory into one of the most widely shared idol backstories of the moment.