Hyeyeon
혜연 · 조혜연 (Jo Hye-yeon)
Jo Hye-yeon — Lead Vocalist · Lead Dancer · Maknae
May 8, 2000 Korean 165 cm 47 kg Type O Leo
Hyeyeon, born Jo Hye-yeon on August 5, 2000, was the youngest member of Jellyfish Entertainment's girl group Gugudan, debuting in June 2016 as a lead vocalist, lead dancer, and rapper. Known among fans as one of the group's most versatile all-rounders, she formed a close bond with fellow young member Mina, and the pair debuted together in August 2017 as the sub-unit Gugudan 5959, releasing the playful single Ice Chu. Standing 165 cm tall with a warm, dimpled smile, Hyeyeon promoted through Gugudan's first four Act era releases before health concerns led Jellyfish Entertainment to announce a temporary hiatus in May 2018. That pause became permanent later that year, when she officially left Gugudan in October 2018 to prioritize her studies and recovery, though she stayed signed with the agency. Rather than disappearing from the industry, Hyeyeon later shifted her focus to acting under a new professional name, Jo Aram, continuing to build a public career even after stepping away from music. Her story is often cited by fans as an example of an idol choosing long-term wellbeing over the relentless pace of group promotions. Read on for her full profile, group history, and timeline below.
Story
Biography
Who Is Hyeyeon? Gugudan’s Youngest Voice and Its Bittersweet Farewell
Hyeyeon, born Jo Hye-yeon on August 5, 2000, was the maknae of Gugudan, joining the group as one of its youngest and most versatile members. She could sing, dance, and rap, a triple-threat skill set that made her a valuable part of Gugudan’s lineup right from the group’s debut in June 2016.
The Baby of the Group with a Grown-Up Skill Set
As Gugudan’s maknae, Hyeyeon carried the “youngest member” title with a surprising amount of range. She handled lead vocals, lead dance breaks, and even rap verses across the group’s earliest releases, and she formed a natural bond with fellow young member Mina. That closeness eventually led to their pairing in Gugudan’s very first sub-unit.
Ice Chu and the Rise of Gugudan 5959
In August 2017, Hyeyeon and Mina debuted together as Gugudan 5959 (OGUOGU), releasing the single “Ice Chu.” As the two youngest members of the group, their pairing gave fans a fun, high-energy spin-off that highlighted both of their dance skills. It remains one of the more memorable smaller projects from Gugudan’s short but eventful run.
A Health-Related Hiatus, Then a Quiet Goodbye
Hyeyeon’s final comeback with the full group was “Act.4 Cait Sith” in February 2018. Not long after, in May 2018, Jellyfish Entertainment announced she would be taking a temporary break from group activities due to health concerns. That break turned permanent a few months later: on October 25, 2018, the agency confirmed she would be officially leaving Gugudan to focus on her studies and her recovery, though she remained signed to the company rather than leaving the industry entirely.
From Idol to Actress: A New Identity as Jo Aram
Rather than stepping away from entertainment for good, Hyeyeon shifted her focus toward acting, eventually adopting the new professional name Jo Aram. Fans who followed her early Gugudan days now recognize her under this new identity as she continues to build a career in front of the camera, carrying forward the same performing instincts that made her stand out as Gugudan’s youngest member.
Profile
Basic Information
| Stage Name | Hyeyeon |
| Full Birth Name | Jo Hye-yeon (조혜연) |
| Date of Birth | August 5, 2000 |
| Birthplace | South Korea |
| Hometown | Ansan, South Korea |
| Nationality | Korean |
| Height | 165 cm (5'5") |
| Weight | 47 kg (103 lbs) |
| Blood Type | O |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| MBTI | Not officially confirmed |
| Education | Ansan Yangji Middle School, School of Performing Arts Seoul (SOPA) |
| Agency | Jellyfish Entertainment (2016–2018, group activities) |
| Debut | June 28, 2016 (Gugudan, "Act.1 The Little Mermaid") |
| Languages | Korean, some English |
| Nicknames | Maknae on Top, Dorahyemon |
| Hobbies | Baking |
| Favorite Color | Not officially confirmed |
| Ideal Type | Someone passionate and humorous |
Membership
Groups & Positions
Gugudan
Jellyfish Entertainment
Lead Vocalist Lead Dancer Rapper Maknae
June 2016 – October 2018 (Departed group)
The Lineup
Group Members — Gugudan
Hana
Leader · Main Dancer · Vocalist · Rapper · Visual
Mimi
Vocalist · Visual
Haebin
Main Vocalist
Nayoung
Lead Vocalist
Sejeong
Main Vocalist · Center
Sally
Lead Rapper · Lead Dancer · Vocalist
Soyee
Lead Vocalist
Mina
Main Rapper · Main Dancer · Vocalist · Maknae
Hyeyeon
Lead Vocalist · Lead Dancer · Rapper · Maknae
This Idol
Journey
Career Timeline
2016
Debuts with Gugudan as its youngest member
Joined Gugudan's original nine-member lineup as its youngest member with "Act.1 The Little Mermaid" on June 28.
2017
Promotes "Act.2 Narcissus"
Continued promotions with the group's second mini album, featuring the title track "A Girl Like Me."
2017
Debuts in sub-unit Gugudan 5959 (OGUOGU)
Paired with fellow young member Mina for the group's first-ever sub-unit release, "Ice Chu," on August 10.
2018
Promotes final release, "Act.4 Cait Sith"
Took part in what would become her last group comeback with the single "The Boots."
2018
Announces temporary hiatus due to health
Jellyfish Entertainment announced she would step back from activities to focus on her health on May 17.
2018
Officially departs Gugudan
The agency confirmed on October 25 that she would leave the group to concentrate on studies and recovery, remaining signed to the label.
Music
Discography
💜
Act. 1 The Little Mermaid
EP
2016
💜
Act. 2 Narcissus
EP
2017
💜
Act. 3 Chococo Factory
Single Album
2017
💜
Act. 4 Cait Sith
Single Album
2018
Recognition
Awards & Achievements
Awesome Style Award (Cultural Technology)
1st Rookie Asia M-Style Show
2016
K-POP Award (Female Group)
25th Korean Popular Culture & Arts Awards
2017
Rising Star Award
2nd Asia Artist Awards
2017
New Korean Wave Performance Award (Female Group)
1st Soribada Best K-Music Awards
2017
Did You Know?
Trivia & Fun Facts ✨
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She was the youngest member of Gugudan's original nine-member lineup.
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She was born on August 5, 2000, and represented the number 5 and the heart symbol within the group.
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She could handle vocals, dance, and rap, making her one of Gugudan's most versatile performers.
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She lived in the Philippines for about a year before her debut.
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She has three dimples that appear when she smiles.
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She attended Ansan Yangji Middle School before continuing at the School of Performing Arts Seoul.
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She debuted alongside fellow member Mina in the sub-unit Gugudan 5959 (OGUOGU) in 2017.
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The sub-unit's single, "Ice Chu," highlighted her energetic dance skills.
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Her hobby has been described as baking in her free time.
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She speaks a bit of English in addition to her native Korean.
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Her ideal type was once described as someone passionate and humorous, citing Seo In-guk as an example.
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Her favorite films reportedly include "She's the Man" and "The Impossible."
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Fans nicknamed her "Maknae on Top" for her confident presence despite being the youngest.
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She was also affectionately called "Dorahyemon" by some fans.
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Her last comeback with the full Gugudan lineup was the single album "Act.4 Cait Sith" in 2018.
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In May 2018, Jellyfish Entertainment announced she would take a break due to health issues.
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She officially left Gugudan on October 25, 2018, to focus on her studies and recovery.
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Despite leaving the group, she remained under contract with Jellyfish Entertainment at the time.
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She later transitioned toward acting under a new professional name, Jo Aram.
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Her family includes a mother, father, and an older brother.
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She was known for her hip-hop dance specialty during her time as an idol.
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Fans often point to her as one of the more bittersweet departures in Gugudan's history.
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Her time in the group overlapped entirely with its most active promotional years, 2016 to 2018.
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She and Mina, as the group's two youngest members, shared a particularly close friendship.
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She has continued to build a public career in entertainment beyond her Gugudan days.
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Her early departure meant she did not take part in the group's final mini album, "Act.5 New Action."
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She remains a nostalgic favorite among fans who followed Gugudan's earliest promotions.
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Her calm but confident stage presence stood out despite being the group's youngest face.
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She has kept a relatively private profile since transitioning away from her idol career.
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Longtime fans still credit her with helping shape Gugudan's early "maknae line" charm alongside Mina.
The Fandom
Fan Club & Fan Name 💜
Official Fan Name
Dan-jjak
Gugudan's official fandom name, Dan-jjak (단짝), translates to "Best Friend" or "Dear Friend" in Korean, reflecting the close, warm bond the members hoped to build with their supporters from their June 2016 debut onward.
Official Fan Color
Not officially confirmed
Jellyfish Entertainment never publicized a single, fixed official fan color for Gugudan the way many larger agencies do. Fan-made guides commonly associate the group with a soft sky-blue and white palette, echoing the ocean and fairy-tale imagery used across their "Act" era concepts, but this pairing was never formally trademarked as the group's color.
Official Light Stick
Gugudan Official Light Stick (Guguli)
Released around the group's debut-era fan meetings, the official light stick is affectionately nicknamed "Guguli" by fans. It features a rounded, gem-like bulb on a pale stick, designed to be simple enough for fans of all ages to carry, and it lights up in a soft blue-white glow during fan chants and concerts.
Fan Community Platform
V LIVE & Fan Cafe
Before Weverse became the industry standard, Gugudan connected with Dan-jjak mainly through V LIVE broadcasts, their official Daum Fan Cafe, and active Twitter and Instagram accounts under the handle @gu9udan, sharing behind-the-scenes clips, live chats, and comeback updates.
Stay Connected
Social Media
Photos
Gallery 📷
