EXID's HYELIN visits Japan to see Lee Guk-joo with Song Hae Na

HYELIN, a former member of the group EXID, shared an update on her recent life by reuniting with comedian Lee Guk-joo, who is currently living in Japan. As the cheerful meeting between the three—which also included model Song Hae Na—was revealed, attention is turning toward how each woman is carving out a new path in her own way.

On the 20th, Lee released a video on her SNS without much explanation. The footage captured the three of them dancing in front of a mirror to music alongside Song Hae Na and HYELIN during their time in Japan.

HYELIN's appearance, in particular, caught the eye of fans. Having recently made headlines for working at a restaurant, HYELIN set aside her serious persona as a worker to enjoy time with her friends, displaying playful expressions and natural gestures.

HYELIN previously shared details of her life working at a taco specialty restaurant through the YouTube channel 'Human Story.' She spoke candidly about the unexpected path she took to make a living following her idol activities and the psychological shifts she experienced during the process.

Recalling the past, HYELIN said, "When I tried to work in China, the THAAD controversy broke out, and when I tried to work in Japan, COVID-19 broke out," adding, "All the opportunities to earn money flew away."

She also explained why she started working in the food industry as opportunities in entertainment dwindled. "Opportunities to stand on stage decreased, but the number of influencers increased, so many advertisements disappeared. I fell into depression and used to wake up around 3 or 4 PM. I felt I needed to create a reason to wake up, so I applied for a part-time job," she said.

HYELIN emphasized the social stigma surrounding the hierarchy of occupations. She noted that prejudice from those around her regarding celebrities taking on different jobs acted as a barrier to her new challenges.

"It seems most people have a negative view of a celebrity doing other work," she shared. "But being an idol or running a business are both just forms of work."

Her comments are interpreted as a desire to break away from the stereotype that celebrities must maintain their status for a lifetime, choosing instead to pursue labor and a lifestyle that fits her current situation. By not hiding the process of rebuilding her life after stepping off the stage, HYELIN's journey offers a different narrative than typical celebrity updates.

The visit to Japan also facilitated a reunion with Lee Guk-joo. Lee began a new chapter in April last year, moving into a studio apartment in Tokyo, Japan.

At the time, Lee explained her decision to move, saying, "I turned 40, and next year will be my 20th anniversary since debut. I wanted to take on a new challenge. I vaguely thought that if I could speak Japanese, I might be able to try something."

While Lee Guk-joo established a residence in Japan while maintaining her career base in Korea, HYELIN chose direct restaurant work during her hiatus from the spotlight. Both have shifted the direction of their lives in distinct ways. This meeting, joined by Song Hae Na, drew interest for showing the three women embracing their current lives naturally, rather than focusing on their glamorous entertainment backgrounds.

As these individuals step outside the familiar realms of the stage and broadcasting to embrace new daily lives, interest continues to grow regarding how they will expand their horizons in their respective fields.