DAY6’s Sungjin reveals rookie days paid just $2.6 — admits dreams “shrunk” after debut
DAY6 leader Sungjin opened up about the band’s tough start on tvN’s You Quiz on the Block that aired September 10.
He said right after debut, the reality hit hard.
“I had big ambitions, like performing at the Super Bowl halftime show,” Sungjin said.
“But right after our debut, those dreams shrank. Our very first settlement was just 3,600 KRW (about $2.6).”
Money was tight. Sungjin worked nonstop to get DAY6 noticed, even crashing staff dinners at radio guest spots just to network.
“If we were invited as radio guests and they later had a staff dinner, I would always go, no matter what. I just wanted to spread the word about DAY6 in any way possible,” he explained.
Instant noodles were a luxury.
“At the time, a cup of instant noodles cost about 600 KRW (about $0.43). I thought, ‘If we save up, we can afford six a month.’ As the leader, I felt responsible, so I asked my parents for extra allowance and used it to treat the members. We really had no money back then,” he said.
Sungjin also hustled behind the scenes, asking writers to listen to their music whenever he could.
“When I met writers, I would tell them, ‘There’s a band called DAY6. I’d be grateful if you could just give our music a listen.’ Whenever we got a chance to appear on programs, we did everything we could.”
You Quiz on the Block airs Wednesdays at 8:45 p.m. on tvN.
