Hana, whose real name is Shin Bo Ra, has become a rare and remarkable case in Korean entertainment as the only female singer known to have completely left showbiz to work as a flight attendant. Born in 1994, Hana was once one of the most recognizable members of gugudan, a girl group under Jellyfish Entertainment, where she served as both leader and main dancer. She was widely praised for her ethereal, almost otherworldly visuals and cool, icy aura, earning frequent comparisons to Irene of Red Velvet during her idol days.
Despite debuting under a well-known agency and sharing the spotlight with Sejeong, the group’s most famous member after Produce 101, gugudan struggled to establish a clear identity. Frequent concept changes, inconsistent activities, and a lack of long-term promotional strategy ultimately hindered the group’s momentum. Although Hana was often chosen as center in certain concepts due to her striking visuals and strong stage presence, the group’s advantages were never fully realized. In late 2020, gugudan officially disbanded, leaving fans with lingering regret.
Following the group’s disbandment, Hana initially took a familiar route for many former K-pop idols by transitioning into acting. She signed with a new agency, adopted the stage name Shin Yeon Suh, and appeared in several web dramas and small-scale projects. However, unlike many “idol-turned-actor” success stories, her acting career failed to gain enough traction to keep her within the highly competitive entertainment industry.
What truly sets Hana apart is the decision she made afterward. Rather than continuing to chase fame, she quietly stepped away from showbiz altogether and began a completely new chapter as a flight attendant for an international airline. Leaving behind the stage lights, cameras, and applause, she entered a profession defined by strict discipline, rigorous training, and high service standards. In this environment, the qualities she developed as an idol—professional demeanor, polished appearance, communication skills, and resilience under pressure—became valuable assets rather than wasted experience.
From a recruiter’s perspective, Hana’s background reads like an exceptional résumé: former K-pop group leader, years of professional training in etiquette and performance, experience working under intense schedules, and the courage to start over in a completely different industry. Her choice was not a forced retreat after fading popularity, but a deliberate and clear-eyed decision made by someone who understood what she wanted beyond fame.
As a result, many people have expressed admiration for Hana’s path. Walking away from celebrity life—regardless of how famous one is—is not an easy choice. Choosing to abandon the dream of acting and start anew in a demanding profession in her early 30s is widely seen as a bold and confident move. Some netizens have even noted that her successful transition into the airline industry at this age highlights just how exceptional her visuals and overall qualifications are.
Today, Hana lives a quieter, more private, yet more stable life. And because of that choice, she stands as a truly unique case among former K-pop idols: someone who openly and completely left the entertainment world to pursue a career as a flight attendant, redefining what success can look like after idol life ends.
Sources: K14