Former K-pop idol walks 155 km after group disbands, wins support from 500,000 viewers

Former ARrC member Hyunmin is drawing widespread support online after documenting a 155-kilometer walk from Seoul to Jecheon following the disbandment of his K-pop group, with the emotional video surpassing 500,000 views in less than a week.

A video, titled "22 years old, I quit being an idol and walked 155 km from Seoul to Jecheon," was uploaded to the YouTube channel @Gwangjincityboyy on July 7.

The video opens with the narration, "The group disbanded two weeks ago." Hyunmin, who began training to become an idol at the age of 14, reflected on his eight-year journey toward his dream.

He appeared on Mnet's survival audition show “Boys Planet” in 2023 before debuting with rookie boy group ARrC in August 2024.

The group disbanded after less than two years. "I decided to walk while looking back on the eight years during which I dreamed a happy dream, from the age of 14 to 22," Hyunmin said.

His destination was a railway bridge in Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province, featured in acclaimed Korean director Lee Chang-dong's film “Peppermint Candy.” Referring to the film's iconic line, "I