Hyein

Who Is Hyein?

Hyein is the youngest member, or maknae, of the South Korean girl group NewJeans, formed by ADOR under HYBE. Born Lee Hyein on April 21, 2008, in Incheon, South Korea, she entered the entertainment world years before most of her groupmates, starting as a child model at just eight years old. Fans of fourth-generation K-pop quickly noticed that despite being the baby of the group, Hyein carries herself with a maturity and confidence well beyond her age.

A Head Start in Entertainment

Long before NewJeans existed, Hyein was already building a career in front of the camera. She modeled for the snapback brand PRANKERS, walked in the 2019 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Moscow, and won the grand prize at the 2019 Little Look of the Year child modeling competition. She was also part of two children’s entertainment groups, U.SSO Girl (2017–2018) and Play With Me Club (2020–2021), which gave her years of stage and camera experience before she ever stepped into the K-pop spotlight.

Becoming NewJeans’ Maknae

Hyein joined Source Music and ADOR as a trainee in January 2021, training for about 18 months before her debut. She was the final member confirmed for the NewJeans lineup and famously performed BLACKPINK’s “Lovesick Girls” during her audition. On July 22, 2022, she debuted alongside Minji, Hanni, Danielle, and Haerin with the single “Attention,” instantly becoming one of the youngest idols to debut in a major K-pop group that year.

Youngest Louis Vuitton Ambassador

Just five months after debut, Hyein made history on December 30, 2022, by becoming the youngest brand ambassador for Louis Vuitton at only 14 years old. Her poised runway walks and magazine covers, including the youngest-ever cover for Harper’s Bazaar Korea, cemented her status as one of K-pop’s most promising young fashion faces.

Vocal Growth and Group Contributions

Hyein’s clear, resonant voice has become a signature part of NewJeans’ sound, particularly on R&B-leaning tracks. She has also been credited with helping shape the group’s unconventional debut strategy, having reportedly suggested releasing the first music video without a traditional teaser campaign — a decision that helped generate massive online buzz.

Weathering the ADOR Dispute

From 2024 into 2025, Hyein and her groupmates were swept up in the very public dispute between former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin and HYBE, which led the members to attempt an independent run under the name NJZ. After the courts and negotiations played out, Hyein returned to activities under ADOR together with Hanni and Haerin in late 2025, with NewJeans’ comeback plans continuing to take shape through 2026.

Why Fans Adore Hyein

Bunnies love Hyein for blending youthful energy with real maturity — she is candid about her love of Harry Potter, photography, and gaming, and she brings a playful, curious spirit to every livestream and interview. As NewJeans’ maknae with a model’s poise and a performer’s confidence, Hyein continues to prove that age is just a number in the world of K-pop stardom.