Hyojung

Who Is Hyojung of Oh My Girl?

Hyojung is the leader and main vocalist of the South Korean girl group Oh My Girl, one of the most beloved acts to come out of WM Entertainment. Born Choi Hyo-jung on July 28, 1994, she has guided her team from a quiet rookie era to chart-topping hits like “Nonstop” and “Dun Dun Dance,” and fans across the K-pop world know her for her bright smile, steady leadership, and warm stage presence.

Early Life and Trainee Days

Hyojung was born in Yangyang, Gangwon Province, and spent her earliest years living in Thailand with her family before returning to Korea around age six — an experience that still lets her follow along in conversational Thai today. Life wasn’t easy growing up; after losing her father at a young age, she worked a string of part-time jobs, from a pig’s-trotters restaurant to babysitting, to help support her family. She even paid her own way through a vocal institute before her short six-month stint as a WM Entertainment trainee, a remarkably brief runway compared to most K-pop debuts.

Debut and Leadership with Oh My Girl

On April 20, 2015, Hyojung debuted as the leader of Oh My Girl with the group’s self-titled first mini album. Since then, she’s carried the group’s main vocalist duties while steering members through lean years, a near-disbandment scare after “Coloring Book,” and the eventual breakout success of “Secret Garden,” “Nonstop,” and “Dun Dun Dance.” In 2018, she also joined the group’s playful sub-unit Oh My Girl Banhana alongside Binnie and Arin.

Beyond the Stage

Outside of music, Hyojung has appeared on variety and survival shows including King of Masked Singer and Queendom, and lent her voice to the Korean dub of Disney’s “Raya and the Last Dragon.” Known for a firm but caring leadership style, she expects full attendance at practice yet greets every fan interaction with the same easy warmth that earned her the nickname “Candy.”