Latest news with #HyunA
Indian Express
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
HyunA compares her ‘controversial' husband to Park Bo Gum's character; fans disgusted: ‘Can she just stop bringing him up?'
HyunA married Yong Jung Hyun in October 2024 and faced a lot of backlash due to the former Highlight member's involvement in the Burning Sun scandal. Now, months after her controversial wedding and fans' disappointment, she is back in the spotlight, happy and open about her personal life. On May 14, she appeared on a YouTube talk show with comedian Lee Yong Jin called Yongtarot, where she opened up about her tattoo removal process and how her insomnia is improving. The singer recently made her comeback with 'Mrs. Nail,' and fans noticed her sudden weight gain, with many suspecting she might be pregnant. HyunA revealed it is because she is happy in her marriage and even called her husband a real life 'Yang Gwan Sik'. Speaking to Lee, HyunA explained that she feels a sense of 'stability' in her life for the first time. The singer was previously dating Dawn, with whom she was in a six-year relationship, and fans hailed them as a power couple. But everything fell apart after the breakup, and fans' sentiment turned against HyunA. In her new interview, the former 4Minute star joked that she barely argues with Yong Jung Hyun because he 'wins every argument,' adding that 'all of his words have good intentions,' and he always guides her toward improving the situation. However, before she could explain further, the host stopped her midway and asked which K-drama character best reflects Yong Jung Hyun's personality. Without hesitation, she compared him to Park Bo Gum's 'Gwan Sik' from When Life Gives You Tangerines — the same K-drama that made waves globally and praised the character as a walking green forest. But HyunA's comparison didn't sit well with fans, who vented their anger and asked her to stop. Also read: HyunA and Dawn call off engagement; says they have decided to be 'good friends and colleagues' A fan wrote, 'Can she just not bring him up? Sure, being happily married might be good and meaningful for her personally, but talking about him like he's a good person isn't respectful to the victims.' Another added, 'Can she please stop praising him every time? The world saw what he did.' A third quipped, 'Leaving Dawn was her worst decision.' 'Now, I don't even want to see or hear about HyunA anymore…' The singer revealed on the talk show, 'It's been about a year since I started removing my tattoos.' She added that it was her mother's suggestion to start with a clean slate this time. 'But it's incredibly painful. I've gone through four sessions and am currently taking a break,' she said. The host then joked about the Trouble Maker crooner dropping the 'marriage bomb' suddenly, just days after confirming her relationship with Jong Hyun, and quipped, 'You dropped the 'I got married' news when we were only meeting for the third time. It's a bit one-sided, don't you think?' (translated via All Kpop). To which she replied, 'I was so nervous I had to take medication to calm myself down before coming.' When pressed about her married life and how her husband is treating her, she revealed, 'It's been wonderful. I used to struggle with insomnia before, but now I sleep soundly. Just being in the same space brings me peace.' Yong Jung Hyun debuted with the boy band Xing in 2007. Later, he joined Cube Entertainment, where he was relaunched as a member of the boy band Beast in 2009. In 2010, he collaborated with HyunA for the first time on her debut single Change, and in 2012, he released his first solo track, Living Without You. In 2016, Beast ended their contract with Cube and formed their own band called Highlight. Following this, Yong Jung Hyun released his first solo album and took a K-drama role in Coffee, Do Me a Favor. Also read: After Kim Soo Hyun, Burning Sun scandal reporter slaps YouTuber with lawsuit over 'fake' Kim Sae Ron recording However, his career was marred by allegations, and he was forced to take a hiatus between 2019 and 2021 due to his alleged involvement in South Korea's biggest sex scandal, Burning Sun, which derailed many A-listers' careers, including K-pop artists and K-drama stars. He left Highlight in 2019 after admitting to having an explicit video of Jung Joon Young with a woman that was shared with him and filmed with consent; however, he admitted the video was shared without consent. In 2022, he resumed his solo activities.
Korea Herald
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
HyunA returns with new single ‘Mrs. Nail' after marriage and yearlong hiatus
HyunA returned with a new single Tuesday, marking her first release in a year since her ninth EP 'Attitude' was unveiled last year, according to her agency, At Area. 'Mrs. Nail,' released on major online music platforms at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, is an alternative pop dance song characterized by bold rhythms and striking visuals. With 'Mrs. Nail,' HyunA aims to once again showcase her signature blend of unapologetic lyricism and fluid performance, further solidifying her status as a 'solo queen' in the K-pop scene. Ahead of the release, the singer unveiled a teaser for the song's music video on Tuesday, hinting at a bold visual transformation with hot pink hair and giving fans a preview of the addictive beat and choreography for 'Mrs. Nail.' HyunA's return is also drawing attention as it marks her first music release since marrying Yong Jun-hyung, a former member of boy band Highlight (also known as Beast). The couple tied the knot in October, six months after going public with their relationship. The two previously worked under the same label, Cube Entertainment, as members of 4Minute and Beast, respectively. In 2010, Yong featured on HyunA's debut solo track 'Change.' HyunA, known for a string of hit singles including 'Bubble Pop!,' 'Red' and 'Lip & Hip,' has cemented her reputation as one of K-pop's leading solo acts. Her concept-driven artistry and unmatched presence have helped define a distinct musical genre all her own.
Korea Herald
05-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Stars give back to fans in 'reverse tribute' trend
'Does being a K-pop fan put food on the table?' is a common phrase in Korea, often used to criticize fans for being overly absorbed in their favorite idols. But these days, some fans can confidently answer, yes -- sometimes it literally does. It's becoming increasingly common for K-pop stars to bring meals, coffee and small gifts for fans who show up to their events and performances. There's even a new term for it in Korea: 'Yeokjogong,' which roughly translates to "reverse tribute." While jogong — a k-pop slang term — refers to fans giving gifts to stars, yeokjogong has it reversed: stars giving back to their fans. Even industry insiders aren't sure exactly when this tradition began. Kim Hee-jin, a k-pop fan in her 30s, remembers noticing the trend around 2017. 'At first, it was coffee trucks and hand warmers,' she said. 'Then groups started handing out sandwiches, doshirak (boxed meals) and even products they were endorsing. It started with food, but then it expanded to beauty products and more. I remember when HyunA's gifts of beauty products went viral.' She was referring to HyunA's generous gifts to fans, including coffee, cardholders, luxury-brand lipsticks and puffer jackets, which became a sensation in 2019. In a 2022 interview on a YouTube channel, HyunA said, 'I feel more love when I'm giving gifts than when I'm receiving them.' 'I don't worry about the money when giving to my fans. I want to do it while I can afford it. I know I won't be earning this much forever,' she added. Another K-pop fan, Song Min-joo, 30, believes that MBC's Idol Star Athletics Championships, a TV show that debuted in 2010, played a key role in shaping this culture. 'The filming lasts all day and usually happens in gymnasiums outside Seoul. Stars began offering snacks and lunches to fans who traveled so far to support them,' Song said. 'It also gave fans an opportunity to compare what each star gave -- or didn't give.' An official from a local entertainment company explained that the cost of these gifts is usually covered by the stars themselves. 'If it's a smaller entertainment company, the artist might just hand their credit card to the manager and pay for the gifts directly. For larger agencies, it might later be calculated as part of their overall spending," the insider said. "In most cases, the artist covers the cost, but there are times when the agency splits it as well. It's hard to generalize because it varies so much." However, what started as a thoughtful gesture has recently sparked controversy. On Dec. 31, a post titled 'A summary of the currently controversial Gayo Daejejeon reverse tributes' went viral on Nate Pann, a popular online forum. The post listed the gifts that K-pop artists prepared for fans at the year-end Gayo Daejejeon music festival hosted by MBC. For example, the girl group NewJeans provided hot packs, cookies, water, doshirak (including sandwiches, inari sushi and tarts), juice and blankets. Meanwhile, boy group Stray Kids offered three kinds of fruit sandwiches, cookies, hot packs and photo cards. Those artists who did not prepare anything had a blank next to their names on the list. This detailed list made it easy for fans to compare the gifts, sparking mixed reactions. Some criticized stars who didn't offer anything, calling them inconsiderate, while others pointed out that it's not mandatory for stars to bring something for their fans. One fan commented, 'These idols make a lot of money, and their careers rely on fan support. Stars have been preparing small gifts for fans for a while now. If I were an idol, I'd want to do something for my fans to lift their spirits.' Another countered, 'Reverse tributes weren't always a thing, so why are they suddenly treated like a requirement? Sure, waiting in line all day for a performance is exhausting, but fans shouldn't expect something every time. The culture of comparison is really toxic.'
