NewJeans' Hyein reveals daily life at 19 amid group uncertainty

NewJeans' Hyein has shared a glimpse into her life after turning 19, candidly discussing her daily routine, personal interests, and the direction she hopes her life will take. Moving away from the glamour of the stage, she revealed more personal sides of herself, such as her habit of watching elderly men play Janggi (Korean chess) at the Han River, her commitment to stretching, and her interest in volunteering for abandoned dogs.

On the 28th, a video titled 'NewJeans Hyein, how have you been? Everything about Hyein we didn't know | Hyein's Trivia Encyclopedia' was released on the Harper's BAZAAR Korea YouTube channel. In the video, Hyein reflected on her life at age 19 and answered various questions.

When asked how she refreshes her mood, Hyein said she visits the Han River. She noted that there are elderly men playing Janggi at her frequent haunts, saying, "If I go and sit next to them to watch, they ask me if I know how to play. I don't know how, but I want to learn."\

Although an idol's daily life is often a subject of intense public interest, Hyein's chosen way to rest is unexpectedly modest. Instead of luxury trips or extravagant leisure, she finds peace in the simple act of sitting by the riverside watching strangers play Janggi.

When asked which animal or character resembles her, she chose a hamster. "I have quite a lot of cheek fat, so I think I resemble a hamster the most," Hyein said with a laugh. Her description of herself in such relatable, friendly terms offers a glimpse into the gap between her stage persona and her true self.

She also cited stretching as a vital routine to maintain amidst her busy schedule. "Doing stretching well" was her answer, as she explained her efforts to focus on hip stretches, noting that "every day is different."\

This is significant because, for idols who must perform intense choreography and shows for long periods, physical conditioning is a matter of professional sustainability rather than just simple self-care. For an artist who has undergone high-intensity training and performances since her youth, a routine to manage flexibility and recovery is a fundamental element in maintaining stage stability.

Hyein also mentioned that her "next chapter" would include activities related to abandoned dogs. Having long been interested in volunteering, she said, "I really want to do something with the abandoned dogs. They are dogs that have so much love and love people so much; I want to help them get adopted quickly."\

These remarks suggest a desire to use her influence for social good beyond a simple love for animals. It highlights a potential direction for her future activities, as a young artist with significant public attention can raise awareness for animal adoption and protection.

Hyein's recent status is garnering even more attention because NewJeans is currently navigating an unusual hiatus and contract disputes within the K-pop industry.

Immediately after their debut in 2022, NewJeans rapidly expanded their global influence with successive hits like 'Attention', 'Hype Boy', 'Ditto', 'OMG', and 'Super Shy', utilizing a minimal musical style and sophisticated visuals that broke existing girl group norms. Their style, which reinterprets 1990s and 2000s pop culture nostalgia with a modern sensibility, left a lasting impression on global listeners.

However, despite the group's success, conflicts surrounding the agency ADOR and its management have escalated into exclusive contract disputes, creating significant variables for the team. While debates regarding the members' status and contractual relationships continue, full group activities are effectively suspended.

According to reports, since last November, Hyein, Haerin, and Hanni have expressed their intention to return to the agency, while Minji is reportedly in discussions regarding her return. Danielle is currently involved in a legal dispute with ADOR following her removal from the team.

In a situation where the group's future direction remains uncertain, Hyein's public appearance is particularly meaningful. Rather than addressing the team's future or contract issues directly, she focused on the aspects of daily life she can control. Her desire to learn Janggi, her focus on physical health through stretching, and her interest in animal welfare seem like the actions of an individual gradually reconstructing her own life amidst massive industrial conflict.

Age 19 is a major turning point for any artist. For Hyein, who has grown up under the public eye since her debut, this period may be as much about defining her own values and tastes as it is about repeating the group's massive success.

While NewJeans' future trajectory remains subject to many variables, Hyein's interests in this video clarify one thing: separate from her image as an idol on stage, she is a 19-year-old individual experiencing an ordinary life and expanding her own world. Regardless of how the group's next chapter unfolds, eyes are on how Hyein will grow as an artist.