In K-pop history, few idols have had an origin story as unusual as Hyeju, also known as Olivia Hye. Among Orbits the fandom of LOONA her name once sparked both pride and curiosity. She remains the rare case of a member who debuted after just one day of training.
Born in 2001 as Son Hyeju, she was introduced to the public in 2018 as the final member completing LOONA’s 12-member lineup under BlockBerry Creative. While most idols endure years of rigorous trainee life, Hyeju’s “one-day trainee” story quickly became legendary within the fandom. She seemingly stepped straight from ordinary life onto the debut stage, carrying a cold charisma and slightly rebellious aura that proved irresistibly captivating.
Unlike the typical “sweet visual” archetype, Hyeju stood out with her sharp features, feline eyes, and powerful stage presence. Within LOONA’s performances, she often handled technically demanding rap and dance parts. Her “girl-crush” image and blunt, realistic personality gave her a distinct color within the group and helped her build one of the strongest individual fanbases.
However, after LOONA fell into a contract dispute with their agency, the members began pursuing new paths. Some re-debuted, others focused on solo careers. Hyeju, along with several former members, formed the unit Loossemble to continue their journey. Yet internal turbulence and what fans described as poor promotional strategies from the new company gradually left the group in a state of inactivity.
In June last year, Hyeju unexpectedly deactivated her personal Instagram account, which she had rarely updated to begin with. There was no farewell post, no official announcement, and no explanation. Prior to that, she had also been largely inactive on fan communication platforms such as Bubble. The prolonged silence sparked countless questions online.
Notably, during LOONA’s 7th debut anniversary, other members publicly celebrated the milestone. Hyeju, however, remained completely silent. For many fans, this absence reinforced speculation that she may have quietly stepped away from show business altogether.
Once an idol who performed on international stages, toured abroad, and connected with thousands of fans, Hyeju seemed to vanish overnight. There have been no reports of a re-debut, no confirmed solo projects, and no appearances in joint livestreams with former members. Even fellow LOONA members reportedly have little to share about her current whereabouts.
Some fans believe she may simply be resting and prioritizing her mental health after years of intense industry pressure. Others argue that Hyeju never appeared particularly fond of social media, suggesting that deactivating her account may be a personal choice rather than a signal of retirement. Known for her straightforward and independent personality, many feel she would not easily tolerate control or constraints traits that can clash with the rigid structure of the K-pop idol system.
Still, optimists hold onto hope. Hyeju once expressed interest in releasing a solo album, and her silence could be a necessary step back before a fresh start. In the entertainment world, it is not uncommon for artists to pause only to make a surprise comeback later.
For now, there is no official confirmation regarding whether Hyeju has retired or plans to return. The only certainty is her absence from public platforms leaving fans to wonder what the future holds for the idol who debuted after just “one-day of training.”
Sources: K14