EXID's Hani Breaks Silence and Opens Up on 'Oh Eun-young Stay'

Hani, formerly of EXID, has made a notable return to the public eye, sparking speculation about her comeback. On July 7, she appeared as a guest on the Channel A variety show, Oh Eun-young Stay.

Arriving without a manager or staff, Hani surprised the production team by taking a train with just a backpack, dressed in casual training clothes and without makeup. She entered quietly, greeted everyone with a bright smile, but her face soon revealed a mix of tension and complex emotions, piquing curiosity.

During the broadcast, Hani shared her first deep reflections since her debut. In a pre-interview with the production team, she confessed, "I started my career too early, and after my contract ended, I realized I knew nothing about the world. I felt like a frog in a well." She continued, expressing her feelings of disillusionment, saying, "I thought, 'This isn't what I expected.' I had been running on this belief, but now I wondered how I should live."

Hani also discussed her personality, stating, "I tend to be very sensitive to others' opinions. But now, I want to stop being that way. I questioned why my life doesn't go as I wish, and I learned to let go of the need to control everything. I started to wonder, 'Is it okay to live like this?'"

Last year, Hani faced controversy following a tragic incident involving a patient at the hospital of her boyfriend, psychiatrist Yang Jae-woong. As marriage rumors surfaced, public criticism intensified, leading Hani to voluntarily withdraw from a scheduled variety show. This decision caused all cast members to exit, disrupting the show's production. Despite it being the year of her 12th anniversary since debut, Hani had no commemorative activities with EXID or interactions with fans. Her wedding plans were indefinitely postponed, and she effectively took an eight-month hiatus from her career.

In March, Hani made her return to the stage alongside EXID members during a special episode of KBS2's Immortal Songs featuring Baby V.O.X. This performance held significant meaning for her, marking her first appearance in front of fans and a cautious yet definitive step forward.

Now, about four months later, Hani confronted her inner self on Oh Eun-young Stay. In the preview, she expressed, "I can’t live like this anymore," hinting at her honest reflections on the perceptions and words of those around her. Following the broadcast, viewers responded positively to Hani's transformation and candid confessions, with comments like, "I can feel her sincerity," "She seems more mature than before," and "Thank you for enduring the tough times. I hope she can now live the life she wants."

After a period of quietly avoiding the public eye, Hani is now bravely taking steps at her own pace, and many hope her path will once again bloom with success.