Hani (singer)

1.1. Birth and Family Background

Ahn Hee-yeon was born on May 1, 1992, in Seoul, South Korea. She is the elder of two children. Her parents met at Yonsei University, and her given name, Hee-yeon (희연), means "joy of meeting you at Yonsei," reflecting their happy encounter. Her younger brother, Ahn Tae-hwan, born one year after her, also pursued a career in the entertainment industry as an actor after serving in the Republic of Korea Marine Corps.

1.2. Childhood and Early Experiences

During her childhood, Ahn Hee-yeon was highly engaged in outdoor activities encouraged by her parents, participating in climbing, soccer, cycling, triathlons, and skiing. She was an accomplished swimmer, earning silver medals in swimming competitions in 2003 and 2005, and a bronze medal in the triathlon in 2004. Her interests primarily leaned towards comics and sports rather than music during her youth, and she has stated that she might have pursued a career in sports if not for becoming a singer. She also showcased her musical talent early on, appearing with her brother on KBS 2TV's Open Children's Song World in 2002, where they performed a re-arranged version of Cool's "Jumpo Mambo" and received an award. Ahn Hee-yeon is also known for her high intellectual abilities, reportedly having an IQ of 145, and achieving a TOEIC score in the 900s within two months. She is proficient in Korean, Chinese, and English.

1.3. Education and Trainee Period

Ahn Hee-yeon attended Seoul Daemo Elementary School, Daewang Middle School, and Jirisan High School. In July 2007, during her third year of middle school, she auditioned for JYP Entertainment's second-generation trainee program. There, she met future prominent idols such as Hoya of Infinite, Choa of AOA, and Hyolyn of Sistar. In the audition finals, she competed against Choa in a live performance, singing Jewelry's "Superstar." She and Hyolyn passed the audition, becoming JYP trainees, while Choa and Hoya did not. Her audition process was publicly revealed through Mgoon at the time. She was set to debut in a group called "JYP Big Mama" with Hyolyn, Song Ji-eun of Secret, and Uji (formerly of Bestie). However, due to JYP's plans for expansion into the U.S. market and the impact of the 2008 global financial crisis, the group's debut was cancelled, and the four members went their separate ways. Later, Hyolyn extended an offer for Ahn Hee-yeon to join Sistar before their debut, but Ahn Hee-yeon declined due to the emotional impact of the previous debut cancellation.

After being dropped by JYP, Ahn Hee-yeon briefly abandoned her dream of becoming a singer and went to study in China with her brother. She lived in a boarding school for 18 months, focusing solely on academics. However, she realized that she needed to choose her own path and that her true passion was music. She returned to Korea in 2011 and was scouted by Shinsadong Tiger, a renowned producer known for working with popular artists like Hyuna, 4Minute, and Nine Muses. Shinsadong Tiger, aiming to produce his own girl group, reached out to Ahn Hee-yeon due to their prior connection during her JYP trainee days. Ahn Hee-yeon then recruited Uji and Kang Hye-yeon, along with Na Hae-ryung and Jeonghwa, who had also been JYP trainees. Additionally, LE, an underground rapper, joined the lineup, leading to the formation of EXID.

2.1. Group Activities

Ahn Hee-yeon's journey in the music industry began with her debut in the group EXID, navigating early challenges before achieving widespread recognition through a viral phenomenon.

2.1.1. EXID Debut and Rise to Popularity

EXID officially debuted on February 16, 2012, with the release of their debut single, "Whoz That Girl." Despite being produced by Shinsadong Tiger, the song initially received a lukewarm response. Just one month after their debut, in March 2012, Australian singer Sebastian Guy alleged that EXID's debut song, "Whoz That Girl," plagiarized his track, "Who's That Girl." This controversy forced EXID to prematurely end their promotional activities for the debut album after only a month and a half. Currently, the copyright for "Whoz That Girl" is entirely held by Sebastian Guy following an agreement with Shinsadong Tiger.

On April 30, 2012, members Uji, Hae-ryeong, and Dami announced their departure from the group, putting EXID at risk of disbandment. However, the group was re-formed as a five-member unit with the addition of Solji, who had previously been part of the duo 2NB, and Hyelin, who was scouted from Gwangju. The re-formed EXID resumed activities in August of the same year with "I Feel Good," the title track from their first mini-album, Hippity Hop. Two months later, in October, they released the single "Every Night," but neither release garnered significant attention. Ahn Hee-yeon contributed to the chorus of "Every Night" and later cited it as the song she feels most attached to.

In February 2013, Ahn Hee-yeon began activities with fellow EXID member Solji as the sub-unit Dasoni. During this period, she also became a regular guest on MBC FM4U's Shimshimtapa, hosted by Shindong of Super Junior, for nine months. However, these activities did not lead to significant public recognition, and EXID entered a lengthy 22-month hiatus before the release of "Up & Down." During this hiatus, Ahn Hee-yeon sustained herself by making occasional radio guest appearances, often living on ramen noodles at their Oksu-dong dormitory. She briefly gained minor online fame for her unique "foot selca" technique, which she shared as her personal selfie method.

On August 27, 2014, after a prolonged break, EXID released "Up & Down". The song initially charted poorly and was intended to be EXID's final album, with the group planning to disband if it did not succeed. During the comeback showcase for "Up & Down," Ahn Hee-yeon reportedly colored her white shoes with a black marker because she couldn't find suitable black performance shoes. With minimal initial public response, EXID concluded their album promotions in September and began performing primarily at local events from October.

However, a turning point came on October 9, 2014, when EXID performed "Up & Down" at a military festival in Paju. A fan-taken video (fancam) of Ahn Hee-yeon performing the song, uploaded to YouTube by user Pharkill, went viral. This viral video sparked a remarkable chart resurgence for "Up & Down," which re-entered the charts in November. On January 4, 2015, it reached number one on Melon, Korea's largest music streaming site. On January 9 of the same week, EXID achieved their first number one win on KBS's Music Bank. While other members were visibly emotional, Ahn Hee-yeon was seen smiling brightly without shedding tears. The "Up & Down" fancam has since garnered over 100 million views on YouTube, cementing its status as a "legendary fancam" and propelling EXID to become one of South Korea's leading popular groups.

Following the viral success of "Up & Down," Ahn Hee-yeon received numerous invitations to appear on various programs, significantly boosting her public profile. In May 2019, Banana Culture, EXID's agency, announced that Ahn Hee-yeon and Jeonghwa would not be renewing their contracts. However, the company clarified that EXID would not disband and would continue group activities with all five members for their Japanese promotions for another year. In October 2019, Ahn Hee-yeon signed with Sublime Artist Agency, signaling her intent to pursue an acting career under her given name, Ahn Hee-yeon. On September 29, 2022, EXID made a full-group comeback with their 10th-anniversary album, X, marking their first release as a complete group in three years.

2.2. Solo and Collaborative Music

Ahn Hee-yeon has participated in various solo and collaborative musical endeavors, contributing to other artists' albums, drama soundtracks, and special projects.

• In 2012, she was featured on "Cold" by C-Clown from their album Young Love.
• In 2014, she collaborated with R.Tee on "We Got The World." She also sang "Kiss Me" with Baek Jong-yoon for the OST of the drama My Lovely Girl.
• In 2015, she featured on Rare Potato's "Fake Illness" and released the duet "Gap" (빈틈^Korean) with Ken of VIXX. "Gap" peaked at number 25 on the Gaon Chart and accumulated over 93,000 digital downloads. She also contributed "Feel The Light" with Solji for the Home OST and "Fire" for the Morim School OST.
• In 2016, she performed "Snail" (달팽이^Korean) with Kim Feel for King of Mask Singer (Episode 47). She also released "Only One" with Solji.
• In 2017, Ahn Hee-yeon collaborated with Luna of f(x) and Solar of Mamamoo on the dance song "Honey Bee," produced by Park Geun-tae. "Honey Bee" peaked at number 38 on the Gaon Chart, with over 63,673 digital downloads. She also released "Flame" with Solji for the Money Flower OST and "Eyes" with Hanhae.
• She contributed to the OST for Idol: The Coup as Part.6.

3.1. Film

Ahn Hee-yeon has appeared in several feature films, showcasing her range as an actress.

• In 2016, she made a cameo appearance as Lee Bo-mi in the film Take Off 2.
• In 2021, she starred as Joo-young in the independent film Young Adult Matters (also known as Adults Don't Know).
• In 2021, she served as the narrator for the barrier-free version of the film Dream Builder.

3.2. Television Series

Her television roles include appearances on major networks and cable channels.

• In 2015, she made a cameo appearance as herself in Episode 3 of The Producers on KBS2.
• In 2020, she portrayed Juno in the "White Crow" episode of MBC's SF8. She also made a cameo appearance as a hacker in Episodes 8-9 of MBC's The Spies Who Loved Me.
• In 2021, she starred as Kim Je-na in JTBC's Idol: The Coup.
• In 2022, she made a special appearance as Lee Ji-woo / Jessica in Episode 7 of tvN's Ghost Doctor.
• In 2023, she appeared as Kang Min-yeong in the Disney+ drama Call It Love.

3.3. Web Series

Ahn Hee-yeon has also taken on prominent roles in web-based drama series.

• In 2020, she starred as Yoon Na-na in the web drama XX, which premiered on January 24 and ran for 10 episodes.
• In 2021, she appeared as Lee Ran-joo in How to Be Thirty (also known as Not Yet 30), which premiered on KakaoTV on February 23. She also played Lee Ru-da in You Raise Me Up.
• From 2022 to 2023, she starred as Hee-jae in Coupang Play's Fantasy Spot.

3.4. Theater

Ahn Hee-yeon expanded her acting career to the stage, making her theater debut.

• In 2023, she performed as Nan and Laina in the play 3 Days of Rain (3일간의 비^Korean), which ran from July 25 to October 1 at Dongguk University's Lee Haerang Arts Theater.

4.1. Hosting and Regular Appearances

She has held significant roles as a host or regular cast member in popular variety shows.

• 2014: She was a cast member on tvN's Always Cantare.
• 2015: She was a main cast member on JTBC's Crime Scene 2 and Off to School. She also joined the cast of KBS2's beauty show A Style For You alongside Kim Heechul, Goo Ha-ra, and Yoon Bora. She was a main cast member on MBC Every 1's Soulmates Returns and EXID's Showtime. She also joined the cast of SBS's Law of the Jungle in Nicaragua (Episodes 178-180).
• 2016: She became a co-host of SBS's Baek Jong-won's Three Great Emperors (Episodes 22-51). She appeared with her younger brother on KBS2's We Are Siblings. She was a contestant on MBC's King of Mask Singer as "Be Careful for Cold the Little Match Girl" (Episodes 47-48), where she surprised judges with her vocal range and passion, defeating Kim Feel and Jo Hang-jo before being eliminated by Ha Hyun-woo. She also became a host of MBC Every 1's Weekly Idol (Episodes 245-270).
• 2017: She hosted Olive's Suddenly A Millionaire and was a cast member on SBS's Law of the Jungle in Komodo (Episodes 274-278). She also hosted JTBC's Beauty View with Soyou.
• 2018: She was a cast member on JTBC4's Secret Unnie with Yoojung of Weki Meki. She also hosted the bowling segment of the 2018 Idol Star Athletics Championships on MBC.
• 2020: She was a cast member on Mnet's Running Girls and SBS's Law of the Jungle in Palawan (Episodes 403-406).
• 2021: She was a co-host on KBS2's Soo Mi's Mountain Cabin and JTBC's K-Styling Battle Magic Wardrobe. She also served as narrator for the "Fruit of Love" and JTBC broadcast campaign.
• 2022: She was a co-host on Wavve's Mary Queer.
• 2023: She became a co-host for MBC's Those Who Cross the Line - The Collection.

4.2. Guest Appearances

Ahn Hee-yeon has made numerous guest appearances on a wide variety of television and web entertainment programs throughout her career.

• 2012: KBS2's Vitamin.
• 2014: KBS2's Dream Team Season 2 and Escape Crisis No. 1.
• 2015: KBS2's Hello Counselor (Episode 207 with Jeonghwa), Happy Together 3 (Episode 383), Our Neighborhood Arts and Physical Education (Episode 115), and Gag Concert. MBC's King of Mask Singer (panelist, Episode 1) and My Little Television (participant). SBS's Eco Village, Running Man (Episodes 237, 275), and Star King. Mnet's Yaman TV. JTBC's Dating Alone, Two Yoo Project - Finding Sugar Man, and Please Take Care of My Refrigerator (Episodes 48-49 with Yoon Bora).
• 2016: MBC's Radio Star and Duet Song Festival (Episodes 33-34 with Chae Changuk). JTBC's Two Yoo Project Sugar Man (Episode 32 with Solji). KBS2's Battle Trip (Episodes 2-3 with Solji). She also appeared on KBS's A Look At Myself (Episode 23 with EXID) and Idol & Family National Singing Competition (Chuseok Special with EXID).
• 2017: JTBC's Knowing Bros (Episode 58 with Rain), Let's Eat Dinner Together (Episode 23), and Crime Scene 3 (Episode 3). KBS2's Happy Together 3 (Episodes 491-492), Trick & True (Episode 16 with Jeonghwa), and Hello Counselor (Episode 324 with Hyerin). SBS's Flower Crew (Episode 27) and DJ Show Triangle (Episode 1 with LE). Mnet's I Can See Your Voice (Season 4, Episode 9 with EXID). MBC's Secret Variety Training (Episodes 1-2) and Secretly Greatly (Episode 18 with EXID). tvN's Raid The Convenience Store (Episode 7) and Problematic Men (Episode 138 with EXID). Channel A's Oh! Cool Guy (Episode 1 with Hyerin). TV Chosun's I Am Chef.
• 2018: KBS2's Happy Together 3 (Episode 527 with Jeonghwa) and Hello Counselor (Episode 359 with Jeonghwa). MBN's Flying Girl (Episode 24 with Hyerin). tvN's Salty Tour (Episodes 18-20, 49-56), Life Bar (Episode 67 with Hyerin), Wednesday Food Talk (Episode 164 with LE), and Amazing Saturday (Episode 35 with Solji). JTBC's Sugar Man 2 (Episode 12 with EXID), Kim Je Dong's Talk To You 2 (Episode 11 with Soyou), and Knowing Brothers (Episode 157 with EXID). MBC's Weekly Idol 2 (Episode 351 with EXID) and Weekly Idol (Episode 383 with EXID).
• 2019: SBS's Running Man (Episode 448).
• 2021: SBS's Running Man (Episode 569). MBC's Radio Star.
• 2023: MBC's Radio Star.
• 2024: SBS's Strong Heart VS and KBS1's A Very Private Trip.

5.1. Music Video Appearances

Ahn Hee-yeon has appeared in music videos for other artists, extending her presence beyond her own group's releases.

• 2009: Mongsil Sisters - "My Love" (사랑아^Korean)
• 2014: R.Tee - "We Got The World"
• 2015: Mad Clown - "Fire" (화^Korean) (featuring Jinsil)
• 2017: Lim Seul-ong - "You" (YOU^Korean) (featuring Beenzino)

5.2. Commercials and Endorsements

Ahn Hee-yeon has participated in numerous commercial advertisements (CFs) and brand endorsements for a diverse range of products and services.

• 2015: Endorsed the denim brand "JAMBANGEE" with Kwak Si-yang. Appeared in commercials for the game "Clash of Kings" (as a warrior and voice actor) and "Paldo Ramen" with Solji.
• 2015-2016: Endorsed "Paul's Boutique" handbags, "Lenovo" computers, and "O-Lens" contact lenses.
• 2016: Appeared in commercials for "OREO" cookies.
• 2017: Featured in various "KFC" commercials, including those for Okonomiyaki Chicken, Long Burger, and Tteomeokneun Chicken. Also endorsed "Coca-Cola Fuze Tea."
• 2018: Endorsed "KANEBO KATE" foundation, Rochas "Mademoiselle" women's perfume, the "Yanolja" mobile application, and the RPG game "Tasty Saga."
• 2019: Appeared in commercials for "NH Members" with Park Mak-rye.

5.3. Public Relations and Ambassadorial Roles

Ahn Hee-yeon has utilized her public platform for various public relations campaigns and ambassadorial roles.

• 2020: She served as a public relations ambassador for the Lottery Commission of South Korea.
• 2021: She participated in the narration for the "Fruit of Love" and JTBC broadcast campaign, a notable public service role.

8.1. Listicles

Ahn Hee-yeon has been recognized in various influential lists for her celebrity status and impact.