ALLDAY PROJECT Annie to Take Hiatus for Columbia University Graduation: Empowerment or Privilege?

Will an Ivy League degree become the new must-have for K-pop idols? On January 14, 2026, THEBLACKLABEL announced that Annie, a member of the rising girl group ALLDAY PROJECT (ADP), will take a partial hiatus to complete her studies at Columbia University in New York. The move highlights a growing intersection between academic prestige and idol careers.

ALLDAY PROJECT Annie Columbia University Return Details

According to the agency, Annie is returning to campus this month for the Spring semester. She previously explained to her fans, known as DAY ONEs, that she could no longer extend her leave of absence and only has one semester remaining to graduate. The semester is expected to run through May 2026.

The Debate: Industry Empowerment vs. Socioeconomic Privilege

The news has sparked a heated debate within the international K-pop community. On one side, many praise this as a step toward artist empowerment, where idols are encouraged to pursue personal fulfillment outside the company's financial interests. On the other hand, critics point out that this flexibility might be a "special exception" granted to Annie due to her family's influential background. For most rookie idols, a hiatus of this length would often mean leaving the group entirely.