The members of EXID, who once created a reverse-charting sensation with their hit song “Up & Down,” are now building new lives outside the spotlight. Following the news that Hyelin has become a taco restaurant owner, it has been revealed that Jeonghwa has officially joined a cafe as an employee and is currently working as a barista.
On November 10, a cafe influencer known as A shared a video on social media, writing, “I went to a cafe and ran into someone I was so happy to see. It was none other than EXID’s Jeonghwa.”
A expressed excitement, saying, “I’ve loved EXID since I was young, but I never imagined I would actually meet her and get to talk to her in person. I went out for coffee and came home having become a successful fan.”
The video showed Jeonghwa working at the cafe and chatting with a fan. Revealing that she was in her fourth week on the job, Jeonghwa said, “Quite a few customers have recognized me. They all asked whether this was a pop-up event or whether I was just working here temporarily.”
However, Jeonghwa had not joined the cafe for a promotional event or a short-term experience. She had actually been hired as a regular employee.
“I officially joined the company and am working as a barista,” she explained. “I’m continuing my acting and music activities, but I also wanted to learn more about coffee in greater depth, so I decided to try something new.”
At the time, Hyelin appeared on the YouTube channel Human Story and introduced the taco restaurant she operates in Anguk-dong, Seoul. She personally welcomes customers and helps prepare food as part of the restaurant’s daily operations. She surprised viewers by revealing that the business generates an average monthly revenue of approximately 140 million won, with around 40 million won remaining after expenses such as rent and labor costs.
She also spoke candidly about why she decided to enter the restaurant business after her glamorous years as an idol.
“Broadcasting has its active seasons. It’s not a job where you can simply decide you want to work and immediately get opportunities,” Hyelin said, opening up about the uncertainty of entertainment industry schedules and income.
In particular, she revealed that opportunities to work overseas repeatedly fell through. When she was preparing for activities in China, the THAAD controversy arose, while the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted her plans to promote in Japan. “All the opportunities to make money disappeared. I didn’t earn nearly as much as I had expected,” she admitted.
During periods when her entertainment activities slowed down, she also struggled with a lack of motivation. “There was no reason for me to get up,” she recalled, explaining that she would often sleep until 3 or 4 p.m.
Eventually, she decided to change her lifestyle by taking a part-time job at a restaurant. That experience inspired her to venture into the food business. Hyelin explained that taking on a new challenge helped her regain confidence and realize that she could do more than just sing and dance.
However, Hyelin emphasized that she has not given up her career as a singer. She continues to pursue entertainment activities, including EXID promotions, DJ work, and musicals, while also challenging herself in the business world.
Both Jeonghwa and Hyelin debuted with EXID in 2012 and experienced the group’s golden era together. The two gained widespread popularity after “Up & Down” unexpectedly surged up the charts in 2014. Now, they are attracting attention for exploring new fields and taking on fresh challenges in their own ways.
What makes their stories particularly noteworthy is that neither has abandoned her original career while pursuing these new ventures. The EXID members are creating lives beyond their glamorous appearances on stage, and fans are paying close attention to their new journeys.
Sources: Naver