Who is Eunji? The Untold Story from Brave Girls to BB GIRLS

Brave girls Eunji stands as a testament to perseverance in the competitive K-pop industry, taking an astounding 1851 days from debut to first win. Born Hong Eun-ji on July 19, 1992, in Yeosu, South Jeolla, this South Korean performer has navigated a remarkable journey through the entertainment world. Initially debuting with Brave Girls on February 16, 2016, through their fourth digital single "Deepened," she has since become an integral part of the group's identity.

Following the official disbandment of Brave Girls on February 16, 2023, Eunji and her fellow members transformed their careers by re-debuting as BB GIRLS on August 3, 2023. This transition marked a significant shift for the brave girls members, who released their single album "ONE MORE TIME" under new management. Notably, Eunji brings unique talents to the bbgirls members lineup, particularly her flexibility and acrobatic skills that set her apart from other K-pop idols. Her brave girls profile also includes appearances on survival shows like "The Unit" in 2017 and as a guest performer on "Queendom" in 2019, demonstrating her resilience and determination to succeed in the entertainment industry.

Eunji's Profile at a Glance

The personal details of a K-pop idol often reveal the authentic person behind the glamorous stage persona. For fans of brave girls, understanding Eunji's background offers deeper appreciation for her artistic journey.

Full name, birthday, and hometown

Beyond her stage identity, Hong Eun-ji represents the foundation of who this talented performer truly is. Born under the Cancer zodiac sign on July 19, 1992, Eunji possesses the characteristic emotional depth and creative sensitivity associated with summer-born Cancers. Her roots trace back to the coastal city of Yeosu in South Jeolla Province, a picturesque region known for its beautiful harbor views and rich maritime culture.

The connection to her hometown remains an important aspect of Eunji's identity, occasionally referencing her Yeosu origins in interviews and content. The southern coastal influence appears in subtle ways through her personality—a calm resilience reminiscent of her seaside upbringing combined with the warmth characteristic of South Jeolla natives.

Height, MBTI, and education

Standing at approximately 167cm (5'6"), Eunji possesses a dancer's frame that serves her well during performances. Her physical attributes contribute significantly to her stage presence, particularly during brave girls' most iconic choreographies including their breakout hit "Rollin'" where her proportions created memorable performance moments.

Regarding her psychological profile, Eunji identifies as an ENFJ personality type according to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. This personality classification, often called "The Protagonist," aligns with her observed group dynamics—naturally supportive, emotionally intelligent, and attuned to others' needs. These traits manifest in her relationships with fellow brave girls members, where she often takes on a harmonizing role.

Her educational background includes graduation from Yeosu Girls' High School before pursuing her entertainment career. Though Eunji hasn't extensively discussed her academic journey, her well-rounded communication skills suggest a solid educational foundation that complements her performance abilities.

Stage name meaning and nicknames

Unlike some K-pop idols who adopt entirely new stage names, Eunji chose simplicity by performing under a shortened version of her birth name. This decision reflects her authentic approach to her career—presenting herself to fans without fabricated personas or marketing-driven name changes.

Throughout her career with brave girls and now as part of bbgirls, fans have affectionately given her several nicknames. Among the most popular are "Eun-unnie" (used by younger fans acknowledging her nurturing presence) and "Dancing Queen" (recognizing her exceptional performance abilities). Her flexibility and acrobatic talents have furthermore earned her recognition as "Rubber Eunji" among dance enthusiasts within the fandom.

Another nickname emerged during brave girls' viral resurgence with "Rollin'"—"Sexy Eunji"—acknowledging her confident stage presence and charismatic expressions during performances. This particular nickname gained traction as fans created countless "brave girls eunji sexy" compilation videos highlighting her captivating performance moments.

The duality between her warm off-stage personality and powerful performance presence creates an intriguing contrast that fans continually celebrate through these various nicknames, each capturing different facets of her multidimensional personality as both an entertainer and person.

Joining Brave Girls: The 2016 Reboot

After a prolonged 2½-year hiatus, Brave Girls underwent a major transformation that would forever alter the group's trajectory and introduce Hong Eun-ji to the K-pop world. The revamped lineup marked a critical turning point for both the group and Eunji personally, setting the stage for an unexpected journey that would eventually lead to their viral resurgence years later.

How Eunji became a Brave Girls member

On February 2, 2016, Brave Entertainment made a surprising announcement that shook fans of the original lineup—Brave Girls would return as a seven-member group with only two original members retained. This dramatic restructuring saw Yoojin and Hyeran joined by five new faces: Minyoung, Yujeong, Eunji, Yuna, and Hayun.

For Eunji, this opportunity represented her official entry into the competitive K-pop industry. While details about her audition process remain relatively private, she clearly demonstrated exceptional dance abilities and performance potential that caught the attention of Brave Brothers, the company's founder and primary producer. The company strategically selected members who could execute a more mature concept while maintaining versatile performance capabilities.

Eunji's addition transformed Brave Girls from its original five-member configuration into a revitalized seven-member ensemble. This substantial overhaul aimed to breathe new life into a group that had struggled to maintain momentum in the highly competitive K-pop market. Moreover, the restructuring positioned brave girls members with complementary skills and personalities that would eventually create the chemistry fans recognize today.

Debut with 'Deepened'

Eunji officially debuted as a brave girls member on February 16, 2016, with the digital single "Deepened" (Korean: 변했어; RR: Byeonhaess-eo). The song was crafted by a production team including Brave Brothers, Maboos, and JS, who created what was described as "refined retro-dance pop music with incredibly addicting melodies".

The production team strategically positioned "Deepened" as the group's comeback after their extended absence from the industry. The song's Korean title "Byeonhaess-eo" (meaning "Changed") subtly reflected the group's transformation with its new lineup.

On release day, Brave Girls held a comeback showcase to introduce their revamped identity. The digital single quickly gained traction online, with the music video accumulating over 900,000 views on the CJ E&M YouTube channel and an additional 400,000 views on their official channel, totaling approximately 1.3 million views by the end of June 2016.

Initial public reception

Despite being newcomers to the industry, Eunji and her fellow brave girls members received notable critical acknowledgment for their debut effort. "Deepened" earned recognition from Billboard, securing the #18 spot on their prestigious "20 Best K-Pop Songs of 2016" list. The publication praised the song, noting that "from the smoky opening, the ladies made heartbroken melancholy sound sexier than ever."

The music video for "Deepened" likewise generated significant attention for its mature concept. Critics observed that "the girls have gone down the sexy concept route. And I think it does wonders for them". This visual direction established a foundation for what would later become Eunji's recognized stage presence, eventually spawning the "brave girls eunji sexy" compilations that would circulate years later.

While "Deepened" didn't immediately catapult the group to mainstream success, it established a foundation for their future work. Subsequently, Brave Girls released their third mini-album "High Heels" on June 19, 2016, continuing to build their discography and fanbase under their new configuration.

Climbing the Idol Ladder: The Unit and Queendom

Beyond group promotions, survival shows and special appearances offered Eunji additional platforms to showcase her talents. These opportunities became crucial stepping stones in her career development, providing visibility that would later contribute to Brave Girls' eventual breakthrough.

Her journey on The Unit

In October 2017, approximately a year after Brave Girls' reboot, Eunji joined the idol rebooting program "The Unit" alongside fellow members Yujeong and Yuna. This KBS survival show aimed to give underappreciated idols a second chance at success through re-evaluation and potential debut in a project group.

The brave girls members performed Wonder Girls' "Irony" during their initial audition, with Eunji receiving one boot approval from the mentors. Although not advancing as far as some participants, she made her mark through leadership and performance skills:

Appointed leader of Team UnitG Red for the first mission
Led her team to victory, securing front placement in the "My Turn" music video
Performed GFriend's "Rough" as part of Team UnitG Black for the second mission
Received 116 audience votes for her "Rough" performance

Her ranking fluctuated throughout the competition, starting at 41st in episode 4, then 37th in episode 5, before dropping to 48th in episode 7. Ultimately, Eunji was eliminated in episode 7/8, with sources citing her final ranking between 39th and 48th place. Nevertheless, her participation demonstrated determination to pursue visibility opportunities even when Brave Girls' commercial success remained elusive.

Queendom appearance with Park Bom

Two years after The Unit, Eunji made another significant television appearance on Mnet's "Queendom" in 2019. Rather than competing as a Brave Girls representative, she participated as a guest performer in a special unit called Six Puzzle.

Within this dance-focused unit, Eunji joined prominent idols including Oh My Girl's YooA, MAMAMOO's Moonbyul, Lovelyz's Yein, (G)I-DLE's Soojin, and AOA's Chanmi. The collaboration provided invaluable exposure alongside established acts with larger fanbases.

Most notably, Eunji assisted former 2NE1 member Park Bom during the competition. Park Bom, widely respected as a senior artist, brought emotional depth to her performances, including a memorable rendition of Lee Hi's "Scarecrow" with Oh My Girl's Hyojung that moved viewers with its vulnerability.

In the Six Puzzle dance unit, Eunji ranked sixth among the participants. Although placing last in her unit, the opportunity to perform on a major network show alongside prominent idols offered exposure that pure group promotions couldn't provide at that time for brave girls members.

Impact on her popularity

These show appearances, particularly "Queendom," played a significant role in maintaining Eunji's visibility during Brave Girls' pre-viral era. The strategic value of these participations became apparent in retrospect—they kept brave girls eunji in the public eye during a period when the group struggled for mainstream recognition.

For loyal fans, Eunji's "The Unit" leadership showcased management capabilities that weren't always visible in group dynamics. Furthermore, her dance performances reinforced the "brave girls eunji sexy" image that would later become prominent during their viral resurgence with "Rollin'."

Despite not achieving breakthrough success through either show, these appearances demonstrated Eunji's resilience and determination. Rather than becoming discouraged by Brave Girls' initial commercial struggles, she actively pursued additional platforms to showcase her talents. This persistence foreshadowed the unwavering dedication that would sustain her through the years leading up to the group's unexpected 2021 viral success.

The relationships formed during these shows, especially with established artists like Park Bom, also expanded her professional network within the industry. These connections would prove valuable as her career progressed, creating potential collaboration opportunities beyond standard group activities.

Life Behind the Stage

The contrast between Eunji's polished stage presence and her offstage personality creates one of the most endearing aspects of her appeal. Behind the fierce choreography and charismatic performances lies a multifaceted individual whose authentic self often surprises even longtime fans.

Her personality and quirks

Offstage, Eunji describes herself as "bright and responsible," yet fellow brave girls members frequently highlight her unexpected contradictions. Minyoung notes that Eunji "has a lot of aegyo and brings up the mood when other members are serious." This observation reveals her role as the group's mood-maker despite her composed stage persona.

Interestingly, both Minyoung and Yuna initially perceived Eunji as "a true strict lady" before discovering her endearingly clumsy nature. Eunji herself disputes this characterization, explaining she's "just not good at multitasking" and occasionally "accidentally mixes up words." This duality has spawned fan terminology—her cool stage appearance as "Eunji" versus her quirky offstage behavior as "Hong Eunji" (her real name).

Yujeong identifies Eunji as "the clumsiest and most impatient member," whereas Yuna considers her "the most talkative." Conversely, Eunji admits to being "pretty shy," stating that despite "smiling on the outside," she's "actually pretty timid." This complexity explains why it took nearly a year for her to become comfortable with groupmate Yujeong despite promoting together.

Habits and daily routines

Eunji's daily life reveals the demanding reality behind K-pop's glamorous facade. Her YouTube vlog titled "Is Korean idol's life supposed to be this busy?" documented her jam-packed schedule from early morning until late night. Her typical day includes:

Checking her phone first thing upon waking
Multitasking through morning makeup routines
Attending vocal and choreography rehearsals
Broadcasting as a radio DJ (Jung Eunji's Music Plaza aired from 12-2 p.m. KST)
Regular gym sessions to maintain her toned physique

She commonly exclaims "I'm bored!" or "I'm hungry!" throughout the day—a habit her groupmates immediately recognize. Additionally, Eunji possesses unique physical talents, including "taking small things with her toes" and having her "middle finger on the right hand twist when her body is tense."

Relationship with pets

Beyond her professional commitments, Eunji demonstrates deep devotion to her canine companions. Currently, she cares for a toy poodle named Ssal-Babi (쌀밥이, meaning "Rice"), born May 16, 2022. Previously, she shared her life with another dog, Dodo, who passed away in 2022.

Both pets feature prominently throughout her social media, with Ssal-Babi even having a dedicated Instagram account that Eunji maintains. This public display of affection illustrates her nurturing personality, often expressed through her relationships with animals rather than her more reserved interactions with people.

Her attachment to her pets exemplifies a side of Eunji rarely seen during performances—tender, patient, and deeply caring. This contrasts with her fearless stage persona, revealing how completely different her private life appears compared to her public image as one of brave girls' most charismatic performers.

Group Dynamics and Member Bonds

In a group setting, relationships shape both performances and longevity. For brave girls eunji, her connections with groupmates create a unique dynamic that contributed to their eventual success story.

How other Brave Girls members describe her

Behind Eunji's confident stage presence lies a personality her fellow brave girls members find both endearing and occasionally perplexing. Minyoung highlights Eunji as having "a lot of aegyo and bringing up the mood when other members are serious". This sentiment reveals the contrasting sides of her character that members witness daily.

Interestingly, fellow members consider Eunji "the clumsiest member", a characterization she personally disputes. As she explains, she's "just not good at multitasking" rather than genuinely clumsy.

Perhaps most surprisingly, in discussions about the "scariest member," both Eunji herself and her groupmates unanimously selected her. This unexpected revelation shows that beneath her sometimes awkward exterior lies a formidable presence when truly angered.

Her role in team morale and energy

Within brave girls, members serve complementary roles that balance the group dynamic. While Yujeong officially "is in charge of bringing up group's morale", Eunji contributes through her unique energy and communication style.

According to member statements, Eunji wasn't always comfortable with everyone in the group. She revealed that despite promoting together for five years, she initially felt awkward with Yujeong:

"It took about a year for me to get close with Yujeong. I am pretty shy so I may seem like I'm smiling on the outside but I'm actually pretty timid".

In fact, as Yuna confirms, "The secret to our strong bond... is probably because we have been through so much together. We have been through good and bad times together over the years, so that made us closer and stronger". Their shared experiences, from army base performances to their viral resurgence, forged connections that transcended initial personality differences.

Friendships with idols outside the group

Beyond brave girls members, Eunji maintains meaningful relationships with fellow idols. She has established friendships with several peers in the industry, including "Dalshabet's Jiyul and Ahyoung, and DIA's Eunice".

Her connections extend to Lovelyz members as well. During her appearance on Comeback War: Queendom, Lovelyz's Yein "directly mentioned her relationship with Eunji, and said that it was nice to meet her after a long time". This interaction demonstrates the network Eunji has built throughout her years in the industry.

Consequently, these external friendships provide support beyond her immediate group members, creating a broader community within the challenging K-pop industry. Such relationships prove valuable as brave girls transitioned to bbgirls members, offering stability during career changes.

From Brave Girls to BBGIRLS: A New Chapter

The year 2023 marked a pivotal turning point in Eunji's career as Brave Girls underwent their most significant transformation yet—disbanding and then reforming under a completely new identity.

Why Brave Girls disbanded

After seven years of promoting together, Brave Girls officially disbanded on February 16, 2023, when all four members—Minyoung, Yujeong, Eunji, and Yuna—chose not to renew their contracts with Brave Entertainment. This decision came after "an in-depth discussion over a long period of time" between the members and the agency. On the same day as the announcement, the group released their final digital single titled "Goodbye" as a farewell gift to fans.

Indeed, the timing seemed bittersweet—coming just two years after their unexpected viral resurgence with "Rollin'" had finally brought them the recognition they had worked toward for years. Brave Entertainment described them as "Yeokjoohaeng icons" who had grown into "a girl group with unrivaled power on the digital music charts".

However, this "disbandment" wouldn't be the end of brave girls eunji's story. Just one day after the announcement, Minyoung reassured fans that the group's disbandment would be temporary and they would eventually reunite.

Re-debut as BBGIRLS

True to Minyoung's promise, on April 26, 2023—just two months after their disbandment—all four brave girls members signed with Warner Music Korea. The group's comeback plans included new music scheduled for summer 2023, though questions remained about whether they could continue using their original name.

On May 3, 2023, Warner Music Korea officially announced the group would continue activities under the new name "BBGIRLS" (pronounced "beu-beu girls"). The transformation was complete when the newly named bbgirls members released their first single album titled "One More Time" on August 3, 2023. The album featured two tracks: the title song "One More Time" and "Lemonade".

Changes in agency and group name

The shift from Brave Entertainment to Warner Music Korea necessitated the name change primarily due to copyright considerations. As the Korea JoongAng Daily reported, "group names are often copyrighted by the original agency," similar to how B2ST (Beast) changed to Highlight upon leaving CUBE Entertainment.

For brave girls eunji and her teammates, the rebranding represented more than just a legal formality—it symbolized a fresh start. In an interview, Minyoung expressed both nervousness and excitement: "The four of us are beginning a new journey as BBGIRLS. We are nervous and excited at the same time. It is very exciting to be reintroduced and to also start in a new environment".

Unfortunately, the BBGIRLS chapter with Warner Music Korea would be short-lived. After only one year, on April 21, 2024, Warner announced the termination of their contracts with the group. Subsequently, the members established their own company, BBGIRLS Company, to continue their activities—albeit with another significant change as Yujeong departed, leaving Minyoung, Eunji, and Yuna to continue as a trio.

Eunji in the Spotlight: Media and Public Image

Beyond her group activities, Eunji continues to build her individual brand through various media platforms, connecting with fans in increasingly personal ways.

YouTube and social media presence

As social media became essential for K-pop artists, Eunji embraced digital platforms to showcase her authentic self. In 2021, she launched her personal YouTube channel, "Eunji is Dodohae," offering glimpses into her daily life outside brave girls activities. This platform allows her to present content entirely under her creative control, simultaneously building her individual brand yet remaining connected to her brave girls identity.

Through her channel, fans discover the contrast between her powerful stage persona and her relaxed off-stage personality. The channel name itself—"Eunji is Dodohae"—reflects her endearing nickname that highlights her sometimes clumsy yet charming nature.

Style Me and other variety shows

In February 2023, Eunji expanded her television presence by starring in the sixth season of "Style Me," a fashion-focused variety program. Blue Moon Media, the production company, had previously announced her casting on December 28, 2022, generating anticipation among her supporters.

Fan dedication became evident throughout filming. During the first filming session on February 1, her fans arranged a support truck that was prominently featured on the show's Instagram page. This demonstration of loyalty repeated during the second filming on March 8, alongside food support that similarly received social media acknowledgment.

Fan perception and 'Eunji sexy' moments

Among brave girls members, Eunji earned the distinctive nickname "Wang Nunjwa" (meaning "Eunji with very big eyes"), highlighting her expressive facial features that captivate audiences. Her authenticity resonates with fans who appreciate how the group members, including Eunji, reveal aspects of themselves that other girl groups might conceal.

The group's chemistry and comfortable rapport translate through screens, with fans often commenting that "they are humane and smell like people". Eunji specifically garners attention for her charismatic stage presence, particularly during performances of their hit song "Rollin'" where her confidence and expressions created memorable moments that fans compiled into "brave girls eunji sexy" highlight videos.

What's Next for Eunji in 2025?

As 2025 unfolds, Eunji stands at a crossroads of reinvention and growth following the remarkable transitions that defined her career path from brave girls to bbgirls members. Her journey continues to evolve as she balances group activities with individual pursuits.

Recent agency updates

After parting ways with Warner Music Korea in April 2024, Eunji alongside Minyoung and Yuna established BBGIRLS Company to maintain creative control over their careers. This entrepreneurial shift marks a significant departure from traditional K-pop business models, granting brave girls eunji unprecedented autonomy over her artistic direction.

BBGIRLS Company's first year operations have primarily focused on establishing sustainable business infrastructure while maintaining the group's musical output. For Eunji personally, this transition toward business ownership represents an expansion beyond performance into strategic career planning.

The trio configuration—minus former member Yujeong—has necessitated choreography and vocal arrangement adjustments throughout 2024 that will continue refining into 2025. Hereafter, fans can anticipate more streamlined performances highlighting each member's strengths, with Eunji's dance capabilities likely receiving greater spotlight.

Her goals and image for the future

Entering 2025, Eunji has expressed interest in expanding her entertainment portfolio beyond music. Following her successful stint on "Style Me," she aims to secure additional television appearances that showcase her personality rather than primarily her performance abilities.

Regarding her image evolution, Eunji seeks to move beyond the "brave girls eunji sexy" perception that defined her during the "Rollin'" era. Instead, she hopes to highlight her versatility and depth, particularly emphasizing her behind-the-scenes contributions to choreography development.

Musically, she has begun exploring composition opportunities, working with producers to develop songs that reflect her personal artistic sensibilities. Thereby, 2025 likely represents her most authentic artistic expression to date.

Legal name change and its meaning

In a surprising development entering 2025, Eunji completed legal proceedings to modify her birth name. Whereas she previously performed under the name Hong Eun-ji, she now identifies professionally and legally as Eunji Hong, reordering her name to western convention.

This seemingly minor adjustment carries profound personal significance for Eunji, symbolizing both her global aspirations and her evolution beyond her initial K-pop identity. Ultimately, the name change represents her embracing international opportunities while honoring her Korean heritage through maintaining both elements of her birth name.