Who is Habin? The Inspiring Story of a Race Car Model Turned K-pop Star

Habin, born Oh Young Kyung on February 20, 1994, represents a fascinating journey from university student to K-pop performer. Despite initially joining a race car modeling agency, she transformed her career path when she became the fifth member of Pocket Girls in March 2016, serving as the group's lead vocalist.

As a member of Pocket Girls, Habin showcased her exceptional vocal talents while also functioning as the lead dancer. The group, which debuted on April 10, 2015, with the digital single "Bbang Bbang," gained significant popularity through Bigo Live in 2016. Subsequently, their performance videos reached an impressive milestone of 3 million views by December 2017. After Pocket Girls disbanded in October 2019, Habin transitioned to freelance modeling, eventually appearing as a pose model at the Seoul Auto Salon in September 2022.

What makes her story particularly noteworthy is her educational background. While pursuing her entertainment career, she simultaneously completed her degree in French language and literature at Kongju National University, graduating in August 2018. Indeed, Habin's versatility and dedication across multiple fields highlight her remarkable journey from a relatively unknown group member to a recognized figure in Korean entertainment.

Early Life and Background

Behind every stage name lies a story, and "Habin" carries significant meaning in Korean culture. The name Habin, which Oh Young Kyung adopted as her professional identity, has Korean origins with several interpretations. According to Korean naming traditions, Habin is associated with positive qualities such as kindness and gentleness. Furthermore, the name can also mean "handsome" or "a person with a peaceful nature" in certain contexts, reflecting the elegant persona she would later develop in her entertainment career.

Birth name and meaning of 'Habin'

Though primarily used as a masculine name in South Korea, Habin became the perfect artistic identity for Oh Young Kyung. The selection of this name proved fitting as she navigated her path from student to performer. Unlike many stage names chosen purely for commercial appeal, "Habin" embodies the graceful and poised character she would showcase throughout her career.

Education at Kongju National University

Prior to entering the entertainment industry, Habin dedicated herself to academic pursuits at Kongju National University. Located in Gongju, South Korea, this institution provided the foundation for her intellectual development alongside her artistic aspirations. During her university years, she balanced rigorous academic requirements with her growing passion for performance arts, demonstrating remarkable time management skills and determination.

Dance club and early competitions

In addition to her academic studies, Habin's formative years included involvement in university dance clubs that shaped her performance abilities. These dance communities served as training grounds where she honed the skills that would later distinguish her as a lead dancer. Through these early dance experiences, she developed the technical precision and stage presence that would eventually catch the attention of talent scouts.

The combination of her academic foundation and dance training created a well-rounded performer who could bring both intelligence and artistic expression to her later work. This balance between education and artistic training established Habin as more than just another aspiring idol—she was a multifaceted performer with substance beyond the stage.

Joining Pocket Girls

Habin's journey into K-pop began with an unexpected opportunity that would transform her life path. After dedicating herself to academics and dance competitions at university, a different career avenue suddenly opened before her.

How she was discovered by MissDica

The transition from university student to K-pop performer came when MissDica Entertainment, primarily known as a race car modeling agency, offered Habin an audition opportunity. Upon receiving this offer, she made the significant decision to relocate from her hometown of Gongju to Seoul to pursue this chance. Her dedication paid off as she successfully passed the audition, setting the stage for her entry into the entertainment industry.

Debut and role in the group

In March 2016, Habin officially joined Pocket Girls as the fifth member to join the lineup, marking the beginning of her K-pop career. At this point, the group had already been active for nearly a year, having debuted on April 10, 2015, with their digital single "Bbang Bbang." Although Pocket Girls wasn't widely recognized initially, their visibility began to increase significantly when they started broadcasting on Bigo Live later in 2016.

Habin's position and contributions

Within Pocket Girls, Habin served as the Lead Vocalist, showcasing her musical talents alongside her dancing abilities. Standing at 165 cm and weighing 46 kg, she brought both vocal prowess and visual appeal to the group. Notably, she became the second longest-serving member after Yeonji (Yeon Ji-eun), demonstrating her commitment to the group. Her contributions helped elevate the group's profile, especially with their October 2017 release "Sweeping Love" and subsequent performances that garnered millions of views by December 2017.

Why Pocket Girls had frequent lineup changes

The constant roster shifts within Pocket Girls stemmed directly from their parent company's business model. MissDica Entertainment primarily operated as a race car modeling agency that created Pocket Girls specifically to promote their models. This unique arrangement naturally led to frequent lineup changes as models moved between promotional activities. Consequently, throughout its history, Pocket Girls experienced numerous member departures and additions, with Habin remaining as one of the few constants until her own departure in October 2019.

Career Highlights and Public Recognition

The transformation of Pocket Girls from an obscure group to a recognizable name coincided directly with Habin's rising prominence in the Korean entertainment scene. Her journey to fame illustrates how digital platforms can dramatically alter a performer's trajectory.

Rise in popularity through Bigo Live and YouTube

Throughout 2016, Pocket Girls began utilizing Bigo Live as their primary platform for connecting with audiences. This strategic move proved crucial as the group gradually gained visibility through regular broadcasting. Bigo Live, a platform focused on live interactions and community building through features like virtual gifting, offered the perfect environment for performers to develop personal connections with viewers.

Fan cam fame and viral performances

Habin's exceptional stage presence quickly earned her the nickname "Fancam Goddess" after her performance videos repeatedly attracted millions of views. This phenomenon mirrors one of K-pop's greatest comeback stories involving EXID, whose member Hani similarly experienced overnight fame when her fancam performing "Up & Down" went viral, ultimately rescuing the group from potential disbandment.

For Habin, these viral moments transformed her into a standout performer regardless of Pocket Girls' overall recognition. Much like Hani's experience, Habin's performances showcased her natural charisma and ability to connect with the camera—qualities that resonated powerfully with viewers.

Appearance in Maxim and media attention

By 2018, Habin's growing popularity led to mainstream recognition when she was featured in Maxim Korea. This high-profile appearance in the popular men's magazine further cemented her status as a recognized figure in Korean entertainment.

Interestingly, this wasn't Habin's first connection with Maxim. Back in 2014, she had competed in the Miss Maxim Contest, advancing to the quarterfinals. Following this early exposure, she eventually joined Maxim Entertainment and worked under their brand, becoming the cover model for their November 2015 issue.

At the end of 2018, Pocket Girls further expanded their digital footprint by launching an Afreeca TV channel, creating yet another platform for Habin to showcase her talents and connect with fans across multiple streaming services.

Life After K-pop

October 2019 marked a pivotal shift in Habin's career path as she departed from Pocket Girls and ventured into new professional territories. Her departure signaled not an end but rather a beginning of another chapter in her entertainment career.

Transition to modeling and AfreecaTV

After leaving Pocket Girls, Habin embraced a different direction in the entertainment industry. By March 2020, she had fully established herself as a freelance model. This career pivot allowed her to explore new opportunities beyond the constraints of idol life. Throughout this transition period, she maintained her connection with fans through various platforms, including AfreecaTV, where she could interact more directly with her audience.

The move to freelance modeling proved successful, giving Habin more control over her career choices. This period marked what industry observers described as her "second heyday", suggesting that her post-K-pop career actually flourished more than her time as an idol.

Re-signing with MissDica as a model

In a surprising yet fitting career move, Habin eventually returned to her roots by re-signing with MissDica—the same agency that had initially brought her into the entertainment world. However, this time she returned not as a K-pop performer but strictly as a model. This professional reunion demonstrated both her versatility as an entertainer and the strong relationship she maintained with her original agency.

Current work with CN Motors and Auto Salon

On September 17, 2022, Habin officially debuted as a 3M&SR pose model at the Seoul Auto Salon, marking her formal return to event modeling. This appearance cemented her transition from K-pop idol to professional model.

Currently, Habin works as a CN Motors model, representing the brand at the 2024 Hyundai N Festival. Her Instagram presence regularly features professional content from these events, where she's presented with the official hashtags: #하빈 #레이싱모델 #KOREAMODEL.

The transition from K-pop idol to professional model represents a full-circle moment in Habin's career—returning to modeling after her time in the entertainment spotlight. Nevertheless, her previous experience as a performer undoubtedly enhanced her modeling career, giving her stage presence and camera awareness that sets her apart in the competitive modeling industry.

FAQS

Curious fans often wonder about the details behind Habin's career journey and the K-pop industry in general. This section addresses some of the most frequently asked questions about her path from university student to K-pop performer to professional model.

What does the training process look like for K-pop performers like Habin? K-pop trainees typically work extremely hard, often for 10+ hours daily. Even with laws limiting training to approximately 9 hours, the schedule remains intense and demanding. For performers like Habin who joined groups after they debuted, the learning curve can be especially steep, requiring rapid adaptation to choreography and group dynamics.

How difficult is it to succeed in the K-pop industry? Success in K-pop requires extraordinary dedication. In fact, many aspiring performers train for years without ever getting the chance to debut. This reality makes Habin's story of joining an existing group and achieving recognition particularly noteworthy in the competitive landscape.

What challenges do performers in smaller agencies face? Performers in smaller agencies like MissDica often face additional hurdles. Certainly, the Korean music industry doesn't always pay artists the wages they deserve, with many idol groups experiencing difficult conditions including low salaries and basic accommodations. These challenges likely influenced Habin's eventual transition to modeling.

Is modeling after K-pop a common career path? While many former idols pursue acting or solo music careers, transitioning to professional modeling as Habin did is less common yet potentially more stable. Her previous experience with camera awareness and stage presence transferred effectively to her modeling work.

What qualities helped Habin succeed across different career paths? Adaptability stands as Habin's most valuable trait. Moreover, her combination of performance skills from dance competitions and her academic background in French literature provided a well-rounded foundation that served her well across different entertainment fields.