Who is NewJeans Hyein? The Untold Story of K-pop's Youngest Star

NewJeans Hyein stands out as a remarkable figure in the K-pop industry despite her young age. Born on April 21, 2008, in Incheon, South Korea, she became the youngest global ambassador for Louis Vuitton at just 14 years old in December 2022, marking an unprecedented achievement in fashion history.

Notably, Hyein's journey began long before her NewJeans debut. She started as a child model at age 8, working with brands like Tara & Co. before joining children's groups U.SSO Girl in 2017 and Play With Me Club in 2020. Furthermore, when she debuted with NewJeans on July 22, 2022, with their surprise single "Attention," she was already the most experienced member although she was the youngest. Standing at an impressive 170 cm (5'7"), Hyein possesses model-like looks that perfectly complement the group's Y2K aesthetic.

This talented performer helped NewJeans make history as the first Korean artist to enter US Spotify charts with a debut song. Although she temporarily stepped back from activities in April 2024 due to a foot fracture, she returned in July 2024, continuing her remarkable career trajectory. Beyond her professional achievements, Hyein is known for her unique vocal color praised by established artists like IU and her personal interests, including an extensive collection of Harry Potter books in both English and Korean.

Early life and family background

Lee Hye-in, professionally known as Hyein, entered the world on April 21, 2008, in Michuhol District, Incheon, South Korea. Born into a supportive family environment, the newjeans hyein backstory begins in this coastal city adjacent to Seoul. Her South Korean heritage forms the foundation of her identity long before her rise to K-pop stardom.

Where was Hyein born?

The roots of lee hyein trace back specifically to Incheon, a major city with rich cultural significance in South Korea. While some sources mention Munhak-dong within Michuhol-gu district as her precise birthplace, most reliable documentation consistently confirms Incheon as her hometown. This coastal metropolitan area, known for its international airport and proximity to Seoul, provided the backdrop for Hyein's earliest years.

Initially, her life followed a typical path for South Korean children, centered around family and early education. However, her trajectory would soon diverge significantly from her peers as her natural talents became apparent.

Hyein's siblings and upbringing

Family plays a central role in Hyein's life story. She grew up with two older siblings – a sister born in 2003 and a brother born in 2005. This makes Hyein the youngest child in her family, a position that likely shaped her personality and interpersonal dynamics from an early age.

Her brother, in particular, shares a striking resemblance to Hyein that has captivated fans' attention. Photos that surfaced online reveal an almost twin-like similarity between the siblings. As one netizen commented, "It's another Hyein with short hair" – highlighting their remarkable physical resemblance. Beyond their looks, the siblings appear to share a close bond, with pre-debut photos showing their playful relationship.

The supportive nature of Hyein's family became especially evident as her career path began taking shape at a remarkably young age. Her parents' willingness to nurture her talents would prove instrumental in her journey toward becoming the youngest member of NewJeans.

Her early education and homeschooling

Hyein's educational journey reflects the complex balancing act faced by many young entertainers. She initially attended traditional schools, including Inseong Elementary School and later transferred to Munhak Elementary School. Additionally, she spent time at Korea International Christian School, showing her diverse educational background.

Subsequently, Hyein's burgeoning career in entertainment necessitated significant adjustments to her academic approach. Rather than continuing with conventional schooling, she eventually dropped out of traditional education. This decision, officially made by her parents, allowed her to pursue alternative educational methods more compatible with her developing career.

After taking the school qualification exam, Hyein transitioned to homeschooling to complete her studies. This arrangement provided the flexibility required for her training and performance commitments while ensuring her education continued. In 2021, upon becoming a trainee with ADOR, the agency confirmed her transfer from international school to homeschooling.

This educational pivot represents a common pattern among young K-pop idols who must balance rigorous training schedules with academic requirements. For newjeans youngest member, this decision proved foundational to her ability to pursue both entertainment opportunities and education simultaneously.

Starting young: Hyein’s modeling career

Long before captivating global audiences with NewJeans, Hyein established herself in the modeling world at a remarkably young age. Her stunning height and natural presence in front of cameras paved the way for an impressive modeling career that began when most children are still adjusting to elementary school.

First modeling gigs at age 8

Hyein's journey into the entertainment industry began exceptionally early when she first stepped in front of professional cameras at just 8 years old. Her initial foray into modeling involved children's clothing brands and catalogues, where her natural poise and photogenic qualities immediately set her apart from other child models. Indeed, these early experiences with hyein newjeans helped develop the camera confidence that would later become her trademark.

As a child model, she quickly gained attention for her ability to embody different concepts and moods despite her young age. Moreover, her early portfolio expanded to include various children's fashion brands, magazines, and commercial photoshoots. This period proved formative for newjeans hyein, as she learned to navigate professional environments while still maintaining the genuine charm that continues to endear her to fans.

Runway debut at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Perhaps the most significant milestone in lee hyein's early modeling career came with her runway debut at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. This prestigious event marked her transition from print and catalogue modeling to the elevated world of runway fashion. For the newjeans youngest member, walking alongside professional models at such a high-profile event demonstrated her exceptional potential in the industry.

During this runway appearance, Hyein showcased remarkable poise and professionalism that belied her young age. Fashion industry insiders noted her natural runway presence and ability to carry herself with confidence among seasoned models. This performance at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week essentially foreshadowed the star quality that would later make her perfect for NewJeans' unique aesthetic.

Winning 'Little Look of the Year'

Following her runway success, hyein achieved another significant milestone by winning the coveted 'Little Look of the Year' competition. This prestigious title further cemented her status as one of South Korea's most promising young models. The competition, which evaluates children on their modeling potential, personality, and photogenic qualities, saw Hyein emerge victorious against numerous other talented contestants.

This achievement proved particularly meaningful as it represented formal recognition of her modeling abilities from industry professionals. For newjeans hyein, the title opened additional doors in the fashion world and contributed to building her professional reputation at an age when most children are primarily focused on school activities.

The impact of these early modeling experiences cannot be overstated in shaping hyein age 16's career trajectory. Her background in fashion and comfort in front of cameras provided valuable skills that would later transfer seamlessly to her role in NewJeans. Primarily, these early years in the modeling industry exposed her to professional environments, helped her develop performance skills, and built her confidence in expressing different concepts visually – all critical components of her current success as an idol.

Throughout this period, despite her hyein height advantage and growing professional commitments, she remained remarkably grounded – a quality that continues to define her approach to fame even after debuting with NewJeans. The foundation built during these formative modeling years undoubtedly contributed to the poised, professional performer fans recognize today.

Pre-debut journey in kids’ entertainment

Before achieving global fame with NewJeans, Hyein gained valuable performance experience through several children's entertainment groups and television appearances. These formative years helped the newjeans youngest member develop the confidence and stage presence that would later become her signature qualities in one of K-pop's most successful fourth-generation groups.

Joining U.SSO Girl as U.jeong

In 2017, when hyein was just 9 years old, she joined the children's group U.SSO Girl under the stage name U.jeong. This five-member group, formed by USSO Entertainment, marked her first official foray into the world of music and performance. U.SSO Girl primarily created content for children, releasing songs with educational themes and cheerful messages aimed at young audiences.

As U.jeong, lee hyein participated in various performances and content creation activities. The group released singles like "Go Go Specimen" and made appearances at children's events throughout South Korea. This experience provided hyein newjeans with crucial early training in choreography, vocal performance, and camera presence that would serve as building blocks for her future career.

Play With Me Club and PocketTV

Following her time with U.SSO Girl, newjeans hyein joined another children's entertainment group called Play With Me Club in 2020. This group, also known as "놀아줘클럽" (Nolajwo Club) in Korean, focused on creating engaging content for children across various platforms. At just 12 years old, hyein age made her stand out as one of the youngest members, yet her prior experience helped her adapt quickly to this new environment.

Throughout her time with Play With Me Club, she participated in numerous videos, performances, and promotional activities. The group created content for PocketTV, a popular platform for children's entertainment in South Korea. This period proved instrumental in developing her on-camera personality and performance versatility.

Her hyein height and natural charisma made her particularly effective in visual content, where she showcased an early version of the effortless charm that would later captivate newjeans members fans worldwide. During this phase, she continued refining her dancing and singing skills while becoming increasingly comfortable with public appearances.

Appearance on Boni Hani and SIXDANCE

Expanding her television presence, newjeans hyein made appearances on EBS children's program Boni Hani, one of South Korea's most popular educational shows for young viewers. This platform gave her experience in a more structured broadcast environment, where she participated in segments that combined entertainment with educational content.

Accordingly, her growing repertoire of entertainment skills led to an opportunity with SIXDANCE, a dance-focused children's content series. For the newjeans youngest member, whose hyein birthday celebrations had already been in the public eye through her previous work, this represented another stepping stone in her pre-debut journey.

SIXDANCE allowed her to showcase her dance abilities more prominently, foreshadowing the precise choreography execution she would later demonstrate with NewJeans. Throughout these experiences, hyein newjeans was developing the multifaceted skill set necessary for her future K-pop career.

These diverse pre-debut activities ensured that by the time she joined ADOR as a trainee, hyein age 14 already possessed substantial industry experience. Consequently, despite being the youngest member, she entered NewJeans with perhaps the most extensive performance background of the group. Nevertheless, no one could have predicted just how quickly her career would accelerate after officially debuting in July 2022, when the world would finally discover the star quality that had been developing through years of children's entertainment work.

Debut with NewJeans: A new chapter

July 2022 marked a revolutionary chapter in K-pop history when newjeans hyein transitioned from children's entertainment to the global stage. Unlike typical K-pop debuts with extensive promotional campaigns, NewJeans burst onto the scene with a strategy that would forever change the industry landscape.

How Hyein was selected by ADOR

The selection process for lee hyein involved personal connections with ADOR's visionary CEO Min Hee Jin. Interestingly, before debut, Min Hee Jin invited each future member to her home for individual meals, creating intimate settings to discuss their artistic vision. During one notable group dinner, she specifically asked the members about their preferences for debut teasers.

Unexpectedly, it was hyein newjeans herself who suggested the revolutionary approach that would define their debut. "I think it would be fun to just have no teaser at all," she proposed to Min Hee Jin, who revealed this was precisely what they had been planning. This anecdote highlights the creative input the newjeans youngest member had despite her young age, showcasing her intuitive understanding of the industry.

Surprise debut with 'Attention'

On July 22, 2022, ADOR released the music video for "Attention" without any prior promotion or member introductions—an unprecedented move in the meticulously planned K-pop industry. This strategy, partly inspired by newjeans hyein's suggestion, created immediate buzz as viewers discovered the group with no preconceptions.

The song itself represented a fresh approach for K-pop, blending pop and R&B with elements of late-1990s and early-2000s music including house and new jack swing. Written and composed by 250, Duckbay, Gigi, and fellow member Danielle, "Attention" featured dynamic key changes between major and minor chords while exploring themes of young infatuation.

This unconventional debut proved remarkably successful. Within just nine days of release, NewJeans topped domestic charts and made their debut on Billboard Global charts. "Attention" ultimately peaked at number one on the South Korean Circle Digital Chart and reached number 54 on the Billboard Global 200, additionally charting in Argentina, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

Her role as the maknae of NewJeans

As the youngest member born in 2008, hyein age 14 at debut positioned her as the group's maknae (youngest member). Yet contrary to typical K-pop group dynamics where maknaes are often the least experienced, hyein was noted as "the most experienced member" despite her youth.

Her extensive background in modeling and children's entertainment equipped her with stage presence and camera awareness that belied her age. With her impressive hyein height of 170 cm (5'7") and professional demeanor, she contributed significantly to the group's Y2K-inspired aesthetic.

The newjeans members benefited from Hyein's experience, as she brought a unique combination of youthful energy and professional polish to their performances. At this point in her career, her identity transformed from former child entertainer to global K-pop sensation, yet she maintained the genuine charm that had characterized her earlier work.

Hyein’s rise in fashion and endorsements

Following her debut with NewJeans, lee hyein rapidly ascended to become one of fashion's most coveted young personalities. Her pre-debut modeling experience provided a perfect foundation for what would become an extraordinary journey into the upper echelons of global fashion.

Becoming Louis Vuitton's youngest ambassador

In a historic milestone, newjeans hyein secured her position in fashion history when luxury powerhouse Louis Vuitton named her their global house ambassador in December 2022. At just 14 years old, she became the youngest person ever appointed to this prestigious role. This groundbreaking appointment came merely five months after her debut with NewJeans, demonstrating the extraordinary impact the newjeans youngest member had already made on the global stage.

The announcement generated significant media attention, with fashion publications highlighting how the hyein age factor made this achievement particularly remarkable. Louis Vuitton's creative director praised her "fresh energy and authentic personality" as key factors in their decision to partner with someone so young yet so professionally accomplished.

Harper's Bazaar Korea cover at 14

Even before completing her first year as an idol, hyein newjeans graced the cover of Harper's Bazaar Korea—an honor typically reserved for established celebrities with years in the industry. The January 2023 issue featured her striking visuals and poised presence, with the magazine's editorial team commending her natural ability to interpret high fashion concepts.

Throughout the accompanying photoshoot, the advantages of her 170cm hyein height were evident as she effortlessly embodied the sophisticated aesthetic expected of luxury fashion models. The editorial spread showcased her versatility, with industry insiders noting that despite her youth (her hyein birthday making her just 14 at the time), she possessed the camera presence of models with decades of experience.

Presence at Paris Fashion Week

In perhaps the clearest indication of her fashion industry standing, newjeans members including Hyein received coveted invitations to Paris Fashion Week. Her appearances at these exclusive events cemented her status within international fashion circles. Seated front row alongside established celebrities and industry veterans, she consistently drew attention for her sophisticated style and composed demeanor.

Fashion critics specifically noted how the newjeans hyein presence at these events helped bridge K-pop and high fashion in unprecedented ways. Beyond merely attending, she became a photographed fixture outside shows, with street style photographers eagerly capturing her distinctive fashion sense that balanced youthful freshness with luxury sophistication.

Meanwhile, this fashion trajectory has made her particularly influential among Gen Z consumers, with brands recognizing that the question of how old is hyein only enhances her appeal as a representative who resonates authentically with younger audiences while still commanding respect from fashion's traditional gatekeepers.

Solo projects and collaborations

Beyond her group activities with NewJeans, lee hyein has steadily built a portfolio of solo projects that showcase her versatility as an artist. In fact, these individual endeavors highlight her ability to collaborate with established artists and venture into different entertainment mediums.

Feature on IU's 'Shh..'

In February 2024, hyein newjeans achieved a significant career milestone by featuring on "Shh.." — a standout track from IU's sixth mini-album "The Winning". This collaboration paired the newjeans youngest member with one of South Korea's most respected singer-songwriters, creating an intergenerational musical connection.

The song itself stands out for its unique approach to vocal arrangement. Instead of traditional verse distribution, "Shh.." features each artist singing in successive order. This structure creates a natural progression that allows listeners to experience the distinct vocal colors of each performer — from IU's clear tone to hyein's breathy warmth.

"Shh.." carries particular artistic significance as it explores complex female relationships through different generational perspectives. According to IU herself, the song represents various important women in their lives. Alongside hyein age 16 singing about first friendships, IU sings about her mother, while Joe Wonsun explores emotions toward role models.

The music video for "Shh.." features acclaimed Chinese actress Tang Wei alongside IU in a cinematic tale about a complicated mother-daughter relationship caught in a time loop. This visually striking production, styled as a modernized silent film, received praise for its artistic approach and emotional depth.

Acting in web dramas and hosting gigs

Apart from her musical collaborations, newjeans hyein has explored acting through web dramas. In 2021, before her NewJeans debut, she took on the main role of Lee Gyeo-wool in "The Girl's Double Life" (남다른 걸). This eight-episode web drama aired on PocketTV, providing hyein newjeans with valuable acting experience prior to her idol career.

The drama showcased a different side of the young performer, allowing her to develop character portrayal skills that complement her abilities as a singer and dancer. Given her hyein birthday making her just 13 years old during filming, this early acting experience demonstrates her comfort across multiple entertainment mediums from a young age.

Throughout these solo projects, the newjeans members have supported each other's individual endeavors. Whereas group activities maintain NewJeans' distinctive collective identity, these solo collaborations allow hyein to express herself artistically outside those parameters.

These diverse projects highlight how the newjeans hyein portfolio continues expanding beyond the group's activities. At hyein age 16 in 2025, her collaboration with industry veteran IU particularly stands as a testament to her growing recognition as an artist with a distinctive voice in Korean entertainment.

Injury, hiatus, and return to stage

In April 2024, a sudden setback challenged newjeans hyein's meteoric rise when she suffered an unexpected injury that temporarily removed her from the spotlight. This unforeseen development required the newjeans youngest member to take her first significant break since debut.

Foot fracture and temporary break

On April 10, 2024, ADOR announced that lee hyein would pause her activities after sustaining a microfracture in her foot during dance practice. The injury occurred when she experienced pain at the top of her foot, prompting medical evaluation that revealed the fracture. Medical professionals advised the 16-year-old idol to "limit her movement as much as possible" to ensure proper healing.

Throughout her hiatus, fans caught glimpses of hyein newjeans using crutches, indicating the severity of her condition. This unfortunate timing coincided with NewJeans' comeback preparations for their double single "How Sweet," forcing the group to proceed without their maknae for official promotions.

Partial performance at Tokyo Dome

After two months of recovery, physicians confirmed that hyein's fracture was healing well, allowing her to gradually increase foot movements. This positive development enabled her limited participation in the group's milestone "Bunnies Camp 2024" event at Tokyo Dome on June 26-27, 2024.

During these performances, creative adjustments accommodated her ongoing recovery—most notably, a dancer wearing a bunny mask temporarily replaced her during the choreography-intensive "Supernatural". Even though her participation remained partial, the emotional significance was evident when hyein burst into tears on stage, telling fans: "The members had such a hard time filling my space".

Remarkably, she still managed to perform a special duet with Japanese-British artist Rina Sawayama, demonstrating her determination to participate despite physical limitations.

Current health and activity status

As of mid-2024, newjeans hyein continued her gradual return to activities under careful medical supervision. ADOR confirmed she would not participate in "Supernatural" promotions in Japan but would engage in other activities based on her condition and medical advice.

The agency remained committed to supporting her complete recovery, stating: "We will do our very best to support Hyein so she can resume her activities in good health". Fortunately, her Tokyo Dome appearance reassured fans, as observers noted she "looked well and made a strong comeback, impressing fans with her vibrant, cool performance" despite earlier concerns.

This health challenge revealed another dimension of the young performer's resilience, as she navigated her first major professional setback while maintaining her commitment to newjeans members and their growing global fanbase.

Fun facts and personality traits

Beyond her professional achievements, newjeans hyein possesses a multifaceted personality that endears her to fans worldwide. Interestingly, this young star balances her bustling idol life with rich personal interests that showcase her depth as an individual.

Hobbies and favorite things

The newjeans youngest member enjoys simple pleasures during her downtime. Primarily, her hobbies include taking walks to "feel the day's weather firsthand," writing in her diary while listening to music, and organizing her thoughts through reading. Recently, lee hyein has added knitting to her repertoire of leisure activities.

Regarding food preferences, hyein newjeans has a notable sweet tooth, particularly for strawberries and strawberry cream cake. She cherishes traditional Korean cuisine, especially dishes prepared by her grandmother, with miso jjigae ranking among her favorites. For treats, shaved ice stands as her preferred snack.

Her aesthetic preferences lean toward light purple and white, with her favorite seasons being winter and early summer. Naturally, hyein also has a soft spot for animals, especially puppies—retrievers and bichons being her favorites. Of course, she has mentioned being a fan of fellow HYBE artists, specifically TXT's Yeonjun and BTS' Jin.

MBTI type and emotional side

Personality tests reveal hyein as an ISFP (previous results included INFP and ENFP), a type characterized by creativity and sensitivity. Fellow newjeans members affectionately nicknamed her "faucet" because she cries easily and is highly emotional. This sensitivity extends to her interactions, as she enjoys writing letters to people she cares for "even if there's no particular reason."

Typically described as having a "charming, bright, and cheerful personality," the newjeans hyein approach to life includes examining people closely—sometimes staring—and maintaining cleanliness before schedules. Given her hyein age of 17 in 2025, her emotional depth showcases remarkable maturity.

Her love for Harry Potter and photography

Perhaps most distinctive among her interests is hyein's passionate devotion to Harry Potter. She possesses over 15 books in both English and Korean, alongside Harry Potter's wand. Her favorite character is Hermione, while "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" tops her movie list. Remarkably, she has watched the first film so frequently that she began memorizing dialogue.

Photography represents another creative outlet for hyein newjeans, who particularly enjoys capturing skies, landscapes like the sea, and candid moments of her fellow members. Regardless of her busy schedule, she makes time for this artistic pursuit, often proudly showing off photos she's taken of her "sisters."

FAQS

Curious fans often search for quick answers about newjeans hyein online. As K-pop's rising star continues to capture global attention, these commonly asked questions provide essential insights into her journey and career.

Is Hyein the most experienced member of NewJeans?

Surprisingly, yes. As mentioned in multiple fan discussions, despite being the newjeans youngest member, Hyein entered the group with substantial industry experience from her modeling career and participation in children's entertainment groups like U.SSO Girl and Play With Me Club.

How involved is Hyein's mother in her career?

Given Hyein's young age at debut, her mother maintains active involvement in her professional life. Based on fan observations, Hyein's mother previously ran an Instagram account for her daughter and remains engaged with her career development to ensure appropriate supervision. This parental oversight reflects standard practice for underage performers in South Korea's entertainment industry.

What makes Hyein unique among NewJeans members?

Besides her extensive pre-debut experience, Hyein stands out for her vocal color, which attracted the attention of established artists like IU, resulting in their collaboration. Her background as both a model and children's entertainer provided her with exceptional camera awareness and stage presence uncommon for someone her age.

Was there controversy about Hyein's age at debut?

Some discussions have noted that 80% of newjeans members were minors at debut, with only Minji being 18 while Hyein was just 14. This sparked conversations about age-appropriate content for young performers, especially regarding certain song lyrics and concepts.

How does Hyein balance education with her career?

Upon becoming a trainee with ADOR in 2021, Hyein transitioned from traditional schooling to homeschooling to accommodate her rigorous training and performance schedule. This educational adjustment allows her to pursue both academic and professional development simultaneously.