Haerin

Who Is Haerin?

Haerin is the lead vocalist and visual of the South Korean girl group NewJeans, one of the most talked-about fourth-generation K-pop idols to emerge from the ADOR label under HYBE. Born Kang Haerin on May 15, 2006, in Seoul, South Korea, she caught the industry’s eye long before her official debut, thanks to her calm stage presence and a soft, distinctive singing tone that fans quickly fell in love with. If you’ve ever wondered why NewJeans sounds and feels so different from typical girl groups, Haerin’s warm, understated vocals are a big part of that answer.

Early Life and Trainee Days

Haerin grew up in Seoul and later in Anyang, attending Gwiin Elementary School and Pyeongchon Middle School before leaving formal schooling to focus on training. Like many young idols, she later completed her middle and high school studies through equivalency exams rather than a traditional classroom. She joined Source Music, a HYBE-affiliated label, as a trainee in 2020, sharpening her vocal and performance skills for roughly two years before her big break arrived.

Debut With NewJeans

On July 22, 2022, Haerin debuted as a member of NewJeans with the surprise single “Attention,” followed swiftly by the group’s self-titled debut EP. The rollout broke from the usual K-pop promotional playbook — no lengthy teaser campaign, just a music video that dropped and let the songs speak for themselves. That strategy worked, and NewJeans became an instant sensation, with Haerin’s cool, cat-like visuals and gentle voice standing out from day one.

Rise as a Fashion and Beauty Icon

Beyond music, Haerin has become a genuine global fashion ambassador. In April 2023, Dior named her a brand ambassador across jewelry, fashion, and beauty simultaneously, making her the first K-pop artist to hold all three titles for the maison at once. She has since walked for Dior at Paris Fashion Week, appeared in campaigns shot by creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri, and landed magazine covers for Vogue Hong Kong, W Korea, and Harper’s Bazaar Korea.

Musical Growth and Songwriting

Haerin isn’t just a face — she’s also a credited songwriter. She contributed lyrics to the track “New Jeans” on the group’s second EP, Get Up (2023), marking her first official writing credit. Across the group’s catalog — from “Hype Boy” and “Ditto” to “Super Shy,” “How Sweet,” and the Japanese single “Supernatural” — Haerin’s vocals have helped define NewJeans’ signature blend of Y2K pop, R&B, and UK garage influences.

Navigating the ADOR Dispute

Starting in 2024, Haerin and her groupmates found themselves at the center of a highly public dispute between former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin and parent company HYBE. The conflict led the members to briefly promote under the name NJZ and to attempt to terminate their exclusive contracts. Following a lengthy legal process, Haerin returned to activities under ADOR alongside Hanni and Hyein in late 2025, while the group’s full lineup and comeback plans continued to develop into 2026.

Why Fans Love Haerin

Fans, known as Bunnies, are drawn to Haerin’s quiet confidence, her distinctive cat-like features, and her surprisingly dry sense of humor that comes out during livestreams and variety appearances. Whether she’s on a runway for Dior or harmonizing on a NewJeans title track, Haerin continues to represent a fresh, understated kind of idol star power — one built on authenticity rather than constant noise.