Latest news with #EXID
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
EXID Hani opens up on mental health struggles: 'I felt deep depression... wanted to run away'
EXID member turned actress Hani (real name Ahn Hee-yeon) recently appeared on a popular mental health talk show where she bared her soul about her inner struggles. Dressed casually in comfortable trackwear, far from her glamorous stage persona, Hani confessed, "I've been good at sensing others' emotions since childhood. I've always lived by first considering someone else's position and feelings." But then came an unexpected twist that many young Indians can relate to - "Recently, I realized I'm actually someone who's completely oblivious to social cues." This revelation mirrors the internal conflict many Indian youth face between societal expectations and personal desires, especially in our generation where we're constantly trying to read the room while losing ourselves in the process. The Burden of Being in the Spotlight Hani's confession about her career pressures struck a chord that resonates deeply with India's social media generation. "It's a job where you have to show yourself, and what I do matters. Especially after gaining love through fan cams, I felt this overwhelming pressure to meet people's expectations," she shared. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo She continued, "I started my entertainment career at such a young age that when my contract ended, I realized I knew nothing about the world. I had lived like a frog in a well." This sentiment echoes what many young Indians experience - whether it's child actors in Bollywood, young cricketers, or even social media influencers who find fame early but struggle with real-world experiences. The pressure to constantly perform and meet expectations is something that transcends cultures. Just like how Indian youth often feel the weight of family expectations in academics or career choices, Hani felt trapped by public expectations of her image. EXID's Hani visits India Love, Marriage, and Life's Unexpected Turns Hani had planned to marry psychiatrist Yang Jae-woong in September last year, but had to postpone due to circumstances involving his medical practice. About this situation, she reflected, "I realized that things happening to me aren't always within my control. I learned that my life doesn't always go according to my will." People around her questioned her choices, asking "Why are you choosing such a thorny path?" But Hani's responded, "I've learned to let go of the desire to control life. It feels like I've been given time to prepare for the things I want to do." Finding Peace Through Ancient Wisdom The most fascinating part of Hani's journey was her decision to seek "mental stability through temple stays, not just domestically but even in India." Her journey to India for spiritual healing comes at a time when Desi youth are exploring Korean culture through K-pop and K-dramas. Expert Insights and Personal Growth The mental health expert on the show provided a sharp analysis: "You're missing the social cues that you really need to catch." Hani admitted, "For the first time, I felt deep depression and thought I couldn't live like this. It was overwhelming. I wanted to run away."
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Solji's Inspiring Journey: From Struggling Artist to Respected University Professor
The Humble Beginnings of a Future Star Picture this - you're 18, fresh-faced, and ready to conquer the world with your voice. That's exactly what Solji did when she debuted as part of the female duo 2NB in 2006. But here's the thing about the entertainment industry - it's brutal, especially for young artists trying to make their mark. Solji's early tracks like 'Missing You Today,' 'I Have a Lover,' and 'Love is Leaving' showcased her emotional depth and vocal prowess. However, despite the quality of her music, commercial success remained elusive. It's a story that resonates deeply with many young Indians who've faced similar struggles in competitive fields - whether it's Bollywood, cricket, or even the corporate world. The pressure to succeed, the constant rejection, and the feeling of being overlooked despite having talent are something every ambitious youngster can relate to. After six years of trying to make it work with 2NB, Solji made the difficult decision to leave the group in 2012. It takes serious guts to walk away from something you've invested years in, but sometimes you've got to know when to pivot - a lesson many young professionals learn the hard way. The EXID Era_ When Hard Work Finally Paid Off Just when things seemed uncertain, Solji joined EXID as the leader and main vocalist. Now, this is where her story gets really interesting - and honestly, pretty inspiring for anyone who's ever felt like giving up on their dreams. EXID's journey wasn't smooth sailing either. They debuted in 2012, but it wasn't until their track "Up & Down" went viral that they experienced what Koreans call a "reverse run" - basically going from flop to hit. Songs like "Ah Yeah" and "DDD" followed, cementing their place in K-pop history. During her struggling years, Solji worked as a vocal trainer, guide vocalist, and backup singer - basically doing whatever it took to stay in the industry and hone her craft. She even provided guide vocals for major artists like Ailee's "U&I" and Hong Jin-young's "Boogie Man." It's like those stories of Bollywood playback singers who worked behind the scenes for years before getting their big break. The Karaoke Incident That Almost Broke Her Spirit Here's where Solji's story gets really raw and relatable. During her early 2NB days, she was at a karaoke session with broadcasting officials - you know, one of those networking events that are crucial in the entertainment industry. When she offered to help select songs (literally just being helpful and polite), one official coldly asked, "Are you a karaoke hostess?" Imagine the humiliation. Here's a young artist, already struggling for recognition, being reduced to such a demeaning comment. Solji later revealed that she was so hurt she cried, but she still had to sing because, well, that's what you do when you're trying to make it in this industry. It's the kind of moment that either breaks you or makes you stronger - and clearly, Solji chose the latter. This incident reminds me of the countless stories we hear from young Indians in various fields - from aspiring actors being typecast to young professionals facing workplace discrimination. The entertainment industry, whether in Korea or anywhere else, can be particularly harsh on young women trying to establish themselves. The Masked Singer Breakthrough 2015 was Solji's year. Her appearance on MBC's "King of Mask Singer" was nothing short of spectacular - she became the first-ever winner of the show. This performance catapulted her from being "EXID's main vocalist" to "one of Korea's representative female vocalists." The beauty of "King of Mask Singer" is that it strips away all the visual elements and focuses purely on vocal talent - something that really resonated with audiences who had perhaps overlooked Solji's abilities before. It's similar to how shows like "The Voice" have given many talented but previously unknown artists their moment to shine. From Stage to Classroom_ The Academic Achievement Fast forward to 2021, and here's where Solji's story takes an inspiring academic turn. At 32, she was appointed as a full-time professor in the Practical Music Vocal Department at Yongin University of Science and Arts. Born in 1989, she's now 36 and successfully balancing her entertainment career with academia. This transition is particularly impressive when you consider the Korean education system's emphasis on academic credentials. For someone who started as an 18-year-old trainee to become a university professor shows incredible personal growth and dedication to continuous learning. During her recent appearance on KBS 2TV's "Immortal Songs," host Shin Dong-yup described her packed schedule: "She's incredibly busy these days. She cleared her busy schedule to meet Yoon Jong-shin for this appearance. Currently, she's actively involved not only in university lectures but also in her second musical production and festival performances." What's really heartwarming is how Solji brought 26 of her students from Yongin University to perform with her on the show. When asked if it was "field practice," she responded with typical humor: "That's right. There's no more important class than this." It shows her commitment to giving her students real-world experience - something every good teacher strives for. A Story of Resilience That Transcends Borders Solji's journey from an 18-year-old trainee facing harsh criticism to a 32-year-old university professor is more than just a success story - it's a testament to the power of perseverance and reinvention. Her ability to transform pain into purpose, whether through her music or her teaching, reflects a maturity that comes from weathering life's storms.
Korea Herald
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
'Nikola Tesla' triumphs as DIMF closes 18-day celebration of musical theater
Chinese musical 'Panda,' new musical 'Shakespiece' win awards The 19th Daegu International Musical Festival, Korea's leading global musical theater event, concluded its 18-day run Monday with awards recognizing outstanding productions and talents from both Korea and abroad. The grand prize was awarded to Hungarian production "Nikola Tesla: Infinite Energy," which tells the story of the 19th-century inventor using modern stage technology. The award for original musical went to "Shakespiece," a Korean production developed through DIMF's support program, which imagines the possibility that Shakespeare may not have been a single author. The award for a foreign production was given to Chinese musical "Panda," which closed the festival. The Korean-Chinese co-production uses music, physical performance and set design to follow a panda family's journey, delivering a message of coexistence and environmental awareness. In the performance categories, Jang Eun-joo was recognized as best leading actress for her role in "My Love Oksoon," portraying a woman living with dementia with subtle, sustained emotion. Best leading actor was awarded to Song Yoo-taek in "Seol Gong Chan" for his portrayal of a legendary character from folklore and Shin Jae-beom for "Sidis: The Right to Be Forgotten" for his portrayal of mathematician William Sidis. Emerging performers were also recognized, with Son Woo-hyun and Solji of K-pop girl group EXID receiving awards recognizing new actors for "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder" and "Hero," respectively. The College Musical Festival, DIMF's student section, awarded its top prize to Dankook University's "Elaborate Lives." The festival also recognized works by Chung-Ang University, Kyungsung University, Hansei University and Baekseok University, acknowledging the continued development of young talent within Korea's musical theater scene. The Asung Creator Award, presented to contributors advancing Korean musical theater, went to Kim Hee-chul of Daegu Arts Center for his work in producing youth-oriented musicals and supporting local musical ecosystems. Launched in 2006, DIMF is Korea's only international musical festival, serving as a platform for cross-cultural exchange while supporting the development of original productions. This year's festival featured 30 productions from six countries.
Time Out
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Waterbomb Singapore is back this August featuring EXID, Jay B, Team Bebe and more
Things are about to get wet and wild this August as South Korea's iconic water festival, Waterbomb, returns to Singapore for its second edition – and the recently announced artist line-up has fans buzzing with excitement. What is Waterbomb? This high-energy bash is a celebration of all things Korean – from K-pop to street food. As the name suggests, expect plenty of water-fuelled fun, with water gun fights, splash zones, photobooths, water cannons, and of course, the highly-anticipated live performances happening throughout the festival. When is Waterbomb Singapore 2025? Waterbomb returns to Singapore on August 30 and 31, 2025. Where is Waterbomb Singapore 2025 held? The festival will be held at Siloso Beach, Sentosa. Who is performing in Waterbomb Singapore 2025? Last year's Waterbomb artist line-up saw big names like BamBam and Bibi, and this year's line-up is just as stacked. Confirmed acts for Saturday's performance include EXID, Huta and Team Bebe, while Jay B, Ash Island and Hong Kong singer Anson Lo hit the stage on Sunday. More artists are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. When are ticket sales for Waterbomb Singapore 2025? Pre-sales for DBS Live Fresh cardholders begin on May 14, 2025 with a 15 percent discount, while pre-sales for DBS and POSB cardholders start on May 15 with a 10 percent discount. General sales open on May 16 from 10am. How much are tickets for Waterbomb Singapore 2025? General pass tickets are priced at $228 for a one-day pass and $388 for a two-day pass. Premium passes cost $258 for one day and $458 for both days, and come with access to the Chill Zone, free-flow non-alcoholic drinks, re-entry privileges, and a dedicated entry lane.
