Ju Young Seok, formerly known by his stage name Naru, is making headlines once again, but this time not as a K-Pop idol. The former rapper of the four-member boy group SMASH, which debuted in 2008, left the entertainment industry in September 2014 and disappeared from the public eye. After years away from the spotlight, Ju recently reemerged on the YouTube channel Taek and Joon, sharing the challenges and triumphs of his post-idol life.
Ju candidly described the difficulties he faced after leaving SMASH, admitting that transitioning out of the entertainment industry in his early 30s left him feeling unprepared and behind his peers. “The gap with my friends was huge. They had already built careers and grown, but I was at rock bottom,” he confessed.
During this period, Ju juggled multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet, including working at a bread factory, delivering for a Japanese-style izakaya, and laboring at a laundry factory. The stark contrast between performing on stage for cheering crowds and returning to physically demanding work was emotionally taxing, but it gave him a newfound appreciation for hard work and perseverance.
In 2017, Ju channeled his experience and determination into starting his own bakery business. With a “customer first” mindset, he expanded his operations into a chain, eventually running 15 stores across South Korea, some generating over ten times the monthly rent in sales.
He acknowledged that the journey was not without mistakes: early business plans required trial and error, and he had to navigate challenges like labor costs and operational structure on his own. Despite these hurdles, Ju remains motivated to launch a new brand that addresses previous issues and continues his entrepreneurial growth.
Ju’s return to the public eye was also fueled by a desire to reconnect with his fans, many of whom fondly remember SMASH and their hits like Get Your Swag On. Viewers responded warmly to his story, praising his perseverance and celebrating both his artistic past and business accomplishments. Ju’s journey illustrates a rare blend of resilience, adaptability, and determination, showing how a former idol successfully reinvented himself beyond the K-Pop stage while inspiring fans with his dedication.
