I.O.I's Kim SeJeong talks about her tough childhood

Kim SeJeong also admitted that she had doubts about her decision to be a singer.

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Kim Se Jeong
Kim Se Jeong has opened up about her rough childhood. Facebook/Katrina Espayos

South Korean singer Kim SeJeong has opened up about her tough childhood. SeJeong, who is a member of girl group I.O.I revealed how her mother was a big inspiration during her growing-up days.

"When my family first came up to Seoul we lived in a house that was about 12 pyong (approximately 40 square meters)? We lived off my aunt's house," she said, during an episode of JTBC's With You.

Sejeong added: "My mom had a variety of jobs. She delivered milk, was a tutor, and had different jobs before finally becoming an accountant. She started [being an accountant] when she was over 40 years old. Seeing this, I gained strength [from her]."

Sejeong admitted that she had doubts about her decision to be a singer. She said: "The problem was I wasn't sure about singing as my path. I was really scared to bring it up to my mom at first. This was because I have to repay my mom for everything she's done for me, and if I fail as a singer I won't be able to. But I wanted to sing that much."

"After telling my mom she said, 'It's your life so why worry about me. Do what you want to do.' That's when I decided to take a path that's not shameful to my mom. I wasn't in touch with my dad until I was in my third year of middle school, but I met him 10 years since I saw him last at that time," she continued.

This article was first published on May 18, 2016