Jeon Somi's 2026 Marriage Fortune Has Fans Talking

The K-pop star opens up about triple citizenship and an unexpected fortune reading on SBS variety show

|7 min read0
Jeon Somi at her solo debut showcase — a stage presence she has carried into her variety show career
Jeon Somi at her solo debut showcase — a stage presence she has carried into her variety show career

Jeon Somi gave SBS viewers plenty to talk about when she appeared on the March 30 episode of "But Seriously!" (아니 근데 진짜!), throwing out surprises from start to finish. The 25-year-old K-pop star arrived on set and immediately kicked off a dance battle with the show's four regular hosts — but it was what she said off-stage that really got people going.

From casually pulling out three passports to revealing that a fortune teller told her 2026 is her best year to get married, Somi's appearance quickly became the most-talked-about segment of the week. Her self-deprecating humor and unfiltered candor reminded fans why she's such a natural in front of cameras — and why variety show producers keep calling her back.

Three Passports, Three Countries, One Very Useful Strategy

Somi was born to a Dutch-Canadian father and Korean mother, making her a citizen of three countries: South Korea, the Netherlands, and Canada. Most fans knew about her triple citizenship — she touched on it briefly during a 2023 appearance on MBC's Radio Star — but this time she explained in detail exactly how she puts each passport to use.

"I use my Korean passport most often," she told the hosts. "But when I'm heading to Europe, the Netherlands passport is much more convenient. And for trips to the United States or North America, the Canadian passport makes everything smoother."

The revelation delighted the studio. Host Kai noted that fellow cast member Suji apparently also holds multiple passports. Suji, staying in character as her Lin Xiaomin persona, joked that she has "about 18" — sending the cast into laughter. Somi's matter-of-fact explanation of her travel logistics somehow made the whole triple-citizenship situation feel both glamorous and deeply practical at once.

For international fans, the moment highlighted a dimension of Somi's life that often goes under the radar. Born in Vancouver, Canada, raised in Korea, and carrying family roots in the Netherlands, she navigates all three identities with ease. The passport strategy is just one small example of how those worlds overlap in her daily life — and it perfectly captures the kind of detail that makes Somi so compelling to watch. It also renewed conversation online about the broader experience of mixed-heritage Korean celebrities, many of whom have noted that their backgrounds bring both unique privileges and unexpected moments of complexity.

A Fortune Teller Told Her to Get Married in 2026

The bigger bombshell came when Somi casually announced that a fortune teller had told her 2026 was her absolute best year to get married — a window she reportedly cannot afford to miss.

"I have the kind of fortune reading that says I should get married this year," she told the hosts. "If I don't, I miss the chance."

At 25, Somi's marriage comment sent the studio into immediate chaos. Veteran host Tak Jae-hun, known for his deadpan humor, delivered a characteristically blunt response: "Marriage and death are best delayed as long as possible." The comment landed perfectly, with Somi laughing along rather than pushing back.

Fortune-telling (사주) occupies a unique cultural space in Korea. Many people — celebrities included — regularly consult fortune readers about major life decisions, and it is common for readings to address marriage timing. Somi's candid disclosure of her reading struck a chord precisely because she treated it with neither reverence nor embarrassment, but with the same breezy honesty she brings to most conversations about her life.

Fans watching online took the moment with the same good humor Somi clearly intended. The clip trended on Korean social media platforms, with many viewers calling her reaction — equal parts amused and exasperated — one of the funniest moments of the episode. It is the kind of honest, off-the-cuff disclosure that makes Somi such a popular variety show guest. She doesn't perform relatability. She simply is relatable.

The Hongdae Incident Nobody Saw Coming

Somi also shared a story that had the studio in stitches: a night out in Hongdae, one of Seoul's busiest neighborhoods, where a stranger approached her and asked for her number. Confident he'd recognize her, she pulled back her mask to reveal her face — only for the man to respond not with recognition, but with, "You look exotic."

He had no idea he was talking to one of Korea's most recognizable K-pop stars. Rather than feeling embarrassed, Somi found the whole situation hilarious. The story played perfectly to the show's comedic tone and offered viewers a genuinely funny glimpse at the oddly anonymous moments that can happen to even the most famous faces in Seoul.

She also shared a separate anecdote about a time her car broke down in the upscale Yeonhui-dong neighborhood. While most people would find the situation mortifying, Somi said she actually enjoyed it — she liked the fact that passersby were watching her. The confidence, delivered without a trace of arrogance, earned immediate applause from the studio audience. It was a small moment, but one that perfectly illustrated why Somi makes such effortless variety television.

From Produce 101 to Solo Star: Jeon Somi's Journey

For readers less familiar with her story: Somi first entered public consciousness in early 2016 as a contestant on Produce 101, Mnet's influential survival program where the public voted to form a temporary girl group called IOI. She finished first in nationwide public voting — a feat that announced her as one of the most anticipated talents of her generation.

After IOI disbanded in early 2017, Somi spent time as a YG Entertainment trainee before ultimately signing with THEBLACKLABEL, a YG-affiliated boutique label. Her 2019 solo debut single "Birthday" was an upbeat pop track that introduced a new chapter in her career. Since then, she has released a steady stream of singles — "DUMB DUMB," "XOXO," and "Fast Forward" among them — each reinforcing her identity as a polished, confident solo act with real crossover appeal.

Her international profile has grown steadily, fueled in part by her multicultural background and a personality that translates naturally across borders. She is particularly popular among fans who grew up between countries and see their own experience reflected in hers. In the years since her debut, she has become one of the K-pop industry's more distinctive voices — someone whose appeal extends well beyond the standard fan demographic.

Why Somi Works So Well on Variety

"But Seriously!" is a Monday night variety talk show on SBS that mixes casual conversation with games and competitive segments. It has built a reputation for drawing out genuine reactions from guests in ways that traditional press interviews rarely do. Somi has a long history with variety television — she was already comfortable in front of cameras as a teenager — and her March 30 appearance was a reminder of just how effortlessly she handles unscripted situations.

From the opening dance battle to her willingness to share personal stories without hesitation, she was funny without trying too hard, honest without being reckless, and visibly energized throughout. The episode quickly generated strong viewer engagement, with clips of her passport explanation and marriage fortune prediction earning the most shares and comments of the week.

What Comes Next

As of early 2026, Somi has been focused on selective variety appearances and maintaining solo career momentum. Her "But Seriously!" episode suggests she is in high spirits — playful, unguarded, and clearly enjoying this phase of her career.

Whether the fortune teller's marriage prediction comes true remains, as fans have been quick to point out, entirely up in the air. But if Somi's energy on March 30 is any indication, she is navigating 2026 with the same breezy confidence she brings to everything else. For fans who have followed her since Produce 101, watching her thrive a decade into the spotlight is its own kind of reward.

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Jang Hojin
Jang Hojin

Entertainment Journalist · KEnterHub

Entertainment journalist specializing in K-Pop, K-Drama, and Korean celebrity news. Covers artist comebacks, drama premieres, award shows, and fan culture with in-depth reporting and analysis.

K-PopK-DramaK-MovieKorean CelebritiesAward Shows

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