Who Is Seunghee? The Hidden Story Behind Oh My Girl's Main Vocalist

Known for her powerful vocals and exceptional talent, Oh My Girl Seunghee had the most exposure among her group members before their official debut. Born Hyun Seung-hee on January 25, 1996, in Chuncheon, South Korea, she earned the nickname "2nd BoA" or "Little BoA" after her standout performances.

Before joining Oh My Girl, Seunghee was already a regular name in various singing contests, including KBS 1TV's Korea Sings (2007) where she won the Excellence Prize. Additionally, she is not only a talented singer but also an actress under WM Entertainment. On April 20, 2015, she made her official debut as a member of Oh My Girl with their first extended play of the same name. Beyond her impressive career, Seunghee has shown her generous spirit by donating 20 million won to support children suffering from childhood cancer through the Million Angels Sharing event.

Seunghee's Early Life and Musical Roots

Growing up in Chuncheon

The journey of Hyun Seung-hee began in the picturesque city of Chuncheon, located in Gangwon Province, South Korea. Born on January 25, 1996, Seunghee spent her formative years in this scenic location known for its beautiful lakes and mountains. Unlike many K-pop idols who grew up in Seoul's bustling urban environment, Seunghee's hometown provided a more peaceful backdrop for her childhood development.

Chuncheon, despite being a smaller city, has produced several notable talents in the Korean entertainment industry. Nevertheless, this scenic location shaped Seunghee's personality and artistic sensibilities in her early years. During her childhood, she displayed natural musical inclinations that would eventually lead her toward a professional singing career.

First steps into music and talent shows

Seunghee's musical journey began early when she discovered her passion for singing. Her exceptional talent became evident when she participated in KBS 1TV's "Korea Sings" in 2007, where she impressively won the Excellence Prize. This achievement, especially remarkable for someone so young, served as an early indicator of her vocal prowess.

As her confidence grew, Seunghee continued seeking platforms to showcase her abilities. She became a familiar face in various singing competitions throughout her youth, gradually building both experience and recognition. Her participation in these contests helped refine her skills and develop the stage presence that would later become her trademark as Oh My Girl's main vocalist.

Furthermore, Seunghee's television appearances weren't limited to singing competitions. She gained additional exposure through shows that highlighted young talents, establishing herself as a promising vocalist even before entering the idol training system. These early experiences proved invaluable in preparing her for the competitive world of K-pop.

Her nickname 'Little BoA'

Perhaps the most telling sign of Seunghee's exceptional talent was earning the nickname "2nd BoA" or "Little BoA" - a reference to one of K-pop's most legendary solo artists. This comparison speaks volumes about her abilities, considering BoA's status as a pioneering figure in Korean pop music with unparalleled vocal skills and performance abilities.

The nickname originated from Seunghee's standout performances where viewers and judges recognized similarities between her vocal color, range, and control with those of the established star. For a young performer, being compared to someone of BoA's caliber represented both a tremendous honor and substantial pressure.

Throughout her pre-debut years, this nickname followed Seunghee, creating expectations but simultaneously confirming her status as a vocal prodigy. Rather than being overwhelmed by the comparison, she embraced the challenge, using it as motivation to continuously improve her skills.

This early recognition established a foundation for her future role as Oh My Girl's main vocalist, where her technical abilities and emotional delivery would become central to the group's musical identity. Despite the pressure that comes with such comparisons, Seunghee's subsequent career has proven that the "Little BoA" nickname was indeed prophetic of her vocal capabilities.

The Road to Debut: Training and Auditions

Brave Entertainment and early setbacks

Seunghee's path to becoming an idol was marked by multiple attempts and significant challenges. In January 2012, after years of honing her vocal abilities, she passed a private audition for Brave Entertainment. This achievement came after she had already established a foundation in performing arts, having attended Def Dance School where she received comprehensive vocals and dance training.

Throughout her time at Brave Entertainment, Seunghee contributed to the agency's projects in ways that few fans may recognize. She participated as a background vocalist for several songs produced by the renowned Brave Brothers. This behind-the-scenes work provided valuable studio experience, though it kept her from the spotlight she ultimately sought.

However, Seunghee's journey was not without its struggles. Despite her evident talent, she began to question her aspirations as a singer due to repeated audition disappointments. At one point, she nearly abandoned her dreams of becoming a professional vocalist altogether—a revelation that highlights the psychological challenges trainees often face in the competitive K-pop industry.

Joining WM Entertainment

Seunghee's fortunes changed dramatically toward the end of 2014. In what might be described as a last-chance effort, she attended an audition at WM Entertainment's office building in Bangbae-dong. Her performance impressed the company representatives, leading to her acceptance into their training program—specifically for a new girl group that would eventually become Oh My Girl.

Ironically, at this pivotal audition, Seunghee reportedly focused more on showcasing her dance abilities rather than her vocal talents. This strategic approach demonstrates her versatility as a performer and may have helped distinguish her from other vocally-focused candidates.

The transition from Brave Entertainment to WM Entertainment marked a critical turning point in Seunghee's career path. After two years at her previous agency, the move to WM in 2014 provided fresh opportunities and ultimately led to her debut with Oh My Girl the following year.

Superstar K2 and public exposure

Prior to her agency training, Seunghee had already gained valuable public exposure through television appearances. Most notably, she participated in the 2010 season of Mnet's popular singing competition Superstar K2, which featured other contestants who would later achieve fame, including Huh Gak, John Park, and Winner's Kang Seung-yoon.

Although Seunghee advanced to the Super Week round of the competition, she unfortunately did not make it to the top 11 finalists. Her journey through the show was not without challenges—particularly during group missions where she experienced difficulties with lyrics memorization. In one particularly stressful performance, she forgot lyrics during her opening part, creating a cascade effect that impacted the entire team's performance.

Nevertheless, Seunghee caught the attention of the show's judges. Park Jin-young notably identified her as a top 11 candidate with significant growth potential. Yet despite this endorsement, judges Yoon Jong-shin and Lee Seung-cheol ultimately favored other contestants, including Kang Seung-yun.

Years later, in a 2021 magazine interview, Seunghee reflected on her Superstar K2 experience, revealing behind-the-scenes insights. She mentioned that judge Ok Joo-hyun had actually engaged in what Seunghee described as "devil's editing" to deliberately elicit her natural voice—a testament to the scrutiny and manipulation contestants often face in television competitions.

Debuting with Oh My Girl

Official debut in 2015

After years of preparation and training, Seunghee's dreams finally materialized on April 20, 2015, when she officially debuted as the main vocalist of Oh My Girl under WM Entertainment. The group released their self-titled extended play "Oh My Girl" along with the catchy single "Cupid," marking their entrance into the competitive K-pop industry. Their debut showcase took place the same day, followed by their first stage performance on SBS MTV's "The Show" on April 21.

Oh My Girl was introduced to the public as the sister group to label-mate B1A4, another popular act under WM Entertainment. This connection created initial interest but also set expectations for the newly debuted group. The original lineup consisted of eight members, with Seunghee positioned as one of the vocal anchors of the group.

Throughout 2015, the group quickly established their musical identity. Their second EP "Closer" was released on October 8, barely six months after their debut. This rapid comeback demonstrated the company's commitment to building the group's presence in the industry. In 2016, they continued this momentum with their third EP "Pink Ocean" released on March 28, featuring the title track "Liar Liar".

Initial challenges and group dynamics

Behind the bright smiles and synchronized choreography, Seunghee and her groupmates faced significant challenges in their early days. In a revealing YouTube conversation with fellow member Mimi years later, Seunghee shared some of the strict and often unrealistic rules imposed on the members after debut.

Among these challenges was excessive weight management. Seunghee recalled an incident where she was scolded merely for eating a slice of pizza during filming, despite not having eaten all day. The pressure became so intense that she began skipping meals, only to binge at convenience stores secretly at night.

Even more startling was Seunghee's revelation that company staff deliberately positioned her next to YooA to create visual contrast. She was bluntly told that her purpose was to stand beside YooA in the center at all times to make YooA "stand out visually". Such practices highlighted the sometimes harsh realities behind the glossy facade of K-pop groups.

Other peculiar rules included being required to hold hands whenever they went anywhere together, which Seunghee particularly disliked, feeling it infantilized the group. They were even reprimanded for allegedly looking at other idols while waiting backstage at music shows, forcing them to turn and face the wall instead.

Her role as main vocalist

As the main vocalist of Oh My Girl, Seunghee quickly established herself as the group's vocal anchor. Her technical abilities and emotional delivery became central to the group's musical identity. Throughout their early performances, her powerful voice helped distinguish Oh My Girl in a crowded field of rookie groups.

In July 2016, Seunghee's vocal prowess gained wider recognition when she competed in "Girl Spirit," a vocal survival show specifically designed to showcase underrated vocalists from lesser-known girl groups. This platform provided her an opportunity to demonstrate her capabilities beyond Oh My Girl's songs and highlight her range and versatility.

Alongside her music career, Seunghee also began exploring acting opportunities. In July 2015, just months after her debut, she made her acting debut in a web drama titled "Loss:Time:Life". This early venture into acting showed her ambition to expand her career beyond singing, laying groundwork for her later appearances in various entertainment formats.

By August 2016, Oh My Girl had gained enough popularity to hold their first solo concert titled "Summer Fairy Tales" at the Blue Square Samsung Card Hall in Seoul. The tickets sold out within three minutes, breaking the record for the fastest sold-out concert for a rookie group and demonstrating the growing fanbase that appreciated Seunghee and her groupmates.

Seunghee's Unique Personality and Habits

Beyond her extraordinary vocal abilities, Seunghee captivates fans with a distinctive personality that sets her apart in the K-pop landscape. The Oh My Girl main vocalist balances professional dedication with endearing quirks that make her relatable to fans worldwide.

Her emotional side and love for animals

Among Oh My Girl members, Seunghee stands out for her openly emotional nature. She readily expresses her feelings, often shedding tears both on and off stage. This sensitivity extends to her genuine affection for animals, which has been evident throughout her career.

Seunghee particularly adores cats and dogs, frequently discussing her love for pets during interviews and variety show appearances. This compassionate side reflects her gentle heart, as she occasionally mentions how animal videos or stories can move her to tears. Her empathy isn't limited to pets—she demonstrates remarkable sensitivity toward wildlife conservation issues as well.

In 2021, Seunghee demonstrated her philanthropic spirit by donating 20 million won to support children suffering from childhood cancer through the Million Angels Sharing event, revealing how her emotional depth translates into meaningful action.

Quirky habits and fun facts

Behind the scenes, Seunghee possesses several distinctive habits that endear her to both groupmates and fans. Firstly, she has a remarkable ability to mimic voices and sounds, often entertaining her members with spot-on impressions of celebrities and cartoon characters.

Moreover, Seunghee has gained a reputation for her unpredictable eating preferences. At times, she combines seemingly incompatible foods, creating combinations that perplex even her closest friends. This adventurous approach to cuisine has become something of a running joke within the group.

Additionally, Seunghee maintains certain superstitious practices before performances. These include specific warm-up routines and lucky items she keeps nearby for important shows. Such rituals highlight the conscientious side of her personality—always striving for perfection in her craft.

How she supports her members

Perhaps most telling about Seunghee's character is her unwavering support for fellow Oh My Girl members. As main vocalist, she consistently helps groupmates with vocal techniques and practice, often staying late after scheduled rehearsals to assist those requesting guidance.

Off-stage, Seunghee serves as an emotional anchor for the group. Despite her own sensitive nature, she provides steady encouragement during challenging times. Former groupmates have mentioned how Seunghee would write thoughtful messages or prepare small surprises to boost morale when someone felt discouraged.

Furthermore, Seunghee consistently deflects individual praise to highlight group achievements instead. In interviews, she gracefully redirects personal compliments to acknowledge her members' contributions, exemplifying true team spirit. This selfless attitude cements her role not just as a vocal powerhouse but as a cornerstone of Oh My Girl's harmonious group dynamic.

Vocal Powerhouse: What Makes Her Stand Out

With a husky timbre that captivates listeners, Seunghee has cemented her position as one of K-pop's most technically proficient vocalists. Throughout Oh My Girl's discography, her distinctive voice serves as the cornerstone of their musical identity, particularly in their most challenging compositions.

Her vocal range and live performance skills

Seunghee possesses an extraordinary vocal range that spans from D3 (an octave) for low notes to G#5 (a three-octave) for true high notes. This impressive range was notably displayed during her cover of Rula's "Lover" on Girl Spirit. Even more remarkable is her falsetto capability, reaching as high as D#7 (5-octave D#) which she demonstrated during an appearance on Knowing Brothers.

Beyond raw range, her vocalization technique demonstrates exceptional control. She can produce sounds by properly engaging her vocal cords from G#3 (1 octave G#) to C5 (3 octave C), plus reaching F5 (3 octave F) with head voice. This technical foundation enables her consistent live performances, characterized by clean singing without breathing issues.

As Oh My Girl's main vocalist, Seunghee handles the highest-range backing vocals in the group, a responsibility that showcases both her technical skill and reliability.

Notable performances and ad-libs

In music broadcasts, Seunghee frequently takes center stage during crucial moments. She's typically entrusted with ad-libs in most of Oh My Girl's title songs, consequently receiving numerous single camera shots that highlight her vocal prowess.

Perhaps her most defining vocal moment came during Oh My Girl's performance of "Guerilla" at Queendom's final stage, where her ad-lib section demonstrated exceptional breathing control and expressive power. Additionally, her participation in Girl Spirit during July 2016 provided a dedicated platform to showcase her abilities beyond Oh My Girl's regular discography.

Subsequently, Seunghee competed in King of Mask Singer in June 2019 under the name "Zoo", further establishing her reputation as a versatile vocalist outside group activities.

Recognition from peers and judges

Throughout her career, Seunghee has received validation from respected industry figures. During her Superstar K2 audition, judge Ok Joo-hyun specifically engineered a situation to hear Seunghee's natural voice, acknowledging her potential.

Furthermore, her technical skills have earned her recognition among K-pop vocal analysts. Her distinctive husky voice quality, combined with rich tone and expansive expressive range, has established her as a standout vocalist among her generation.

The song "Swan" holds special significance in displaying Seunghee's vocal color. Both she and fellow members identified this track as particularly effective in showcasing each member's distinctive vocal styles. In essence, what truly differentiates Seunghee is not merely her technical ability, but how she applies it with authentic emotional connection to each performance.

Beyond Music: Acting, Hosting, and Variety Shows

Seunghee has steadily expanded her career beyond singing, establishing herself as a multifaceted entertainer in the Korean entertainment industry. Her ventures into acting, hosting, and variety shows have revealed talents that complement her vocal abilities.

Web dramas and TV series

Seunghee's acting journey began shortly after Oh My Girl's debut when she appeared in the 2015 web drama "Loss:Time:Life". Following this initial experience, she took a significant break from acting until 2020, when she played Bit-na in the one-act drama "Turtle Channel".

Her acting career gained substantial momentum with her role as Ham Yang-ja in KBS 2TV's "Oasis" in 2023, which marked her first major dramatic role. Thereafter, she secured her second significant acting project in tvN's "Jeong Nyeon" (2024), playing Park Cho-rok, a research student who joins a women's traditional theater company.

Regarding her preparation for "Jeong Nyeon," Seunghee revealed: "I auditioned five times for the role". For this character, she had to master traditional Korean performing arts: "I learned Korean dance, focusing on posture and subtle movements". Her dedication paid off as viewers witnessed her character's evolution from initially envying the protagonist to becoming a supportive figure.

Hosting roles and variety show appearances

Concurrently with her acting endeavors, Seunghee has built an impressive resume as a variety show personality. From November 2020 to January 2021, she starred in the sports variety show "Not Soccer or Baseball" alongside athletes Chan Ho Park and Lee Young-pyo.

Subsequently, from February to May 2021, she co-hosted "Friends" with established entertainers Kim Hee-chul, Shindong, and Lee Sang-min. This hosting role allowed her to showcase her conversational skills as the program followed cast members developing friendships and romantic relationships.

Throughout her career, she has participated in numerous competitive shows that highlighted her talents, including "Girl Spirit" (2016) and "King of Mask Singer" (2019), where she performed under the name "Zoo".

Her comedic timing and impressions

Perhaps most surprisingly for fans who know her primarily as a vocalist, Seunghee possesses remarkable comedic abilities. She has particularly excelled in impersonations, mastering the voices of various cartoon characters, including Chan-gu, Yuri, Myeonggu, and Huni.

Her talent extends to mimicking other unique sounds, such as performing TT's TT with "the voice of crayon". These skills regularly delight audiences at fan signing events, where she often showcases her playful side.

This comedic aptitude has made her a welcome guest on numerous entertainment programs, where her natural humor and quick responses create memorable moments. Her ability to balance serious performances with lighthearted entertainment demonstrates the versatility that has helped extend her career beyond Oh My Girl's musical activities.

Fan Love and Online Presence

As the heart of Oh My Girl, Seunghee maintains a profound bond with fans through multiple digital platforms and personal interactions, creating countless memorable moments that showcase her genuine appreciation for supporters.

VLive and Weverse interactions

In the digital realm, Seunghee thrives on connecting with fans through livestreams and posts. Her presence on VLive has been particularly robust, contributing to Oh My Girl's impressive channel statistics: 1.0K videos, 111.6M views, 8.72B likes, and 26.4M comments. Her July 2022 broadcast "Seunghee Stayed Up" alone garnered 2.3M likes and 13K comments, demonstrating her massive appeal.

Since migrating to platforms like Weverse, she has continued creating intimate spaces for fan communication. Weverse serves as both a communication hub and e-commerce platform, enabling Seunghee to interact with international fans through its automatic translation feature—ensuring language barriers don't hinder her connection with global Miracles.

Legendary fan sign moments

Perhaps nothing illustrates Seunghee's endearing personality better than the infamous "gummy bear incident" at a September 2018 fansign. After receiving a bag of gummy bears from a fan, she struggled to open it, only for the candies to explode onto the floor. Her hands flew to her mouth in shock, followed by making "the saddest face" while holding the empty wrapper. Underneath the comedic moment lay her genuine concern, as she emphatically told the apologetic fan, "Don't pick it up! Don't pick it up!"

How she connects with Miracle

The name "Miracle" itself carries profound meaning, as Seunghee explained in an interview: "It originated from one of our songs 'B612'. There's a part in the lyrics where it says, 'It is like a miracle that you love me'". For Seunghee, this encapsulates the magical connection between artist and supporter.

Her commitment to fans culminated in the 2025 "Milky Way" concert at Olympic Hall—their first face-to-face solo concert in six and a half years. During this emotional event, Seunghee expressed, "We'll continue to be OH MY GIRL who can give you support and comfort. I will always sing with the same heart as 10 years ago". This sentiment perfectly captures why the bond between Seunghee and Miracle remains unbreakable.

Style Evolution: Hair, Fashion, and Visuals

Throughout her career, Seunghee's ever-changing appearance has become as much a signature as her powerful vocals, with each transformation telling a chapter in her artistic journey.

Iconic hairstyles and color changes

Seunghee's hair experiments have often made headlines, most memorably when she shocked IU by revealing damaged hair during a television appearance. Close-up shots showed sections of hair at the top of her head completely ripped out—all because "I wanted to look pretty in front of my 'sunbae'". Despite IU's apologetic reaction, Seunghee expressed no regrets about her beauty sacrifice.

For the "Dun Dun Dance" comeback, she embraced "dark, hot pink hair with wispy, layered curls," a shade she particularly loved because it "paired nicely with this album concept and theme". This marked a departure from her previous pink hair during the Nonstop era, showcasing her willingness to explore different color variations.

Her visual transformation over the years

Beyond hair changes, Seunghee's overall style has evolved considerably. She demonstrates remarkable duality—described by groupmates as "cute with a baby face" yet "sexy on stage". This contrast carries into her everyday wardrobe, which tends toward "dark and chic" aesthetics.

In group photos, Seunghee's styling often serves a strategic purpose. During early promotions, company staff deliberately positioned her beside YooA to create visual contrast. As Oh My Girl's concepts evolved, Seunghee adapted accordingly, from fairy-like imagery in "Windy Day" to more sophisticated looks in "The Fifth Season."

How fans react to her style

Fans have shown particular enthusiasm for Seunghee's pink hair transformations. After sporting blonde/gold for months, her return to hot pink in 2022 delighted supporters who considered it "her look". One fan noted they "loved her hair during Feel Special era", demonstrating how her style choices resonate with followers.

Certainly, Seunghee's visual evolution continues alongside Oh My Girl's artistic growth, with each new concept bringing fresh opportunities for reinvention—all while maintaining the distinctive charm that makes her unmistakably Seunghee.