On September 23 episode of tvN's television show 'Look, My Shoulder's Dislocated', YEJI and LIA made a guest appearance.
While the hosts and guests talked together, MINO revealed a surprising fact, "YEJI and I actually knew each other before she made debut as a member of ITZY. We're close."
YEJI stated, "Yeah, it's a bit complicated but... MINO is a nephew of my dad's friend's wife."
The WINNER member continued, "Following the meal, YEJI's parents said to me, 'My daughter's dream is to make K-pop debut. Could you tell me what you think of her dance?' I was like, 'Of course!'"
He went on, "Usually though, if you get asked to dance at an unexpected time, you get really shy. But she immediately put the tables aside and began dancing. And she was incredibly good. She amazed me."
He added, "So, I told her, 'You've really got to go audition somewhere. You shouldn't be here. You should be in Seoul, auditioning for agencies.' I also told her parents, 'She needs to make debut.' That was like eight years ago."
LIA stated, "This was back when I was studying in Canada. I passed SM Entertainment's global audition in Canada, so I was asked to begin training. I went to Korea to join SM Entertainment, but my parents were so against it that I had to give it up and return to Canada. For some years afterwards, I lived as an ordinary student. Then, I auditioned again. That's how I got into JYP Entertainment."
She resumed, "I've never said this anywhere else, but I was actually okay about joining SM Entertainment or YG Entertainment too, because I was initially planned to audition for all of them.", then laughingly added, "It was just that JYP Entertainment's audition took place at the earliest date, and I got into it right away, so..."
(SBS Star)