HeeJin Facts: From LOONA to ARTMS

HeeJin burst onto the K-pop scene as LOONA's groundbreaking first member, revealed on September 26, 2016, setting the foundation for one of the industry's most ambitious projects. Fast forward to today, and Jeon HeeJin has evolved from LOONA HeeJin into ARTMS HeeJin, navigating legal battles and reinventing herself as a soloist. She made her solo debut on October 5, 2016 with the single album "HeeJin". She debuted as an official soloist on October 31, 2023, with her first mini album <K>. From her distinctive gray eyebrows to her championship-level belly dancing, HeeJin LOONA fans have watched her grow into a multifaceted artist.

HeeJin Was the First LOONA Member Revealed

The Historic Debut

BlockBerry Creative unveiled Jeon HeeJin as LOONA's inaugural member through a strategic rollout that began with street promotions across Seoul. A video teaser titled "LOONA's 1st Member 'HeeJin' SeoulTeaser" appeared on YouTube on September 25, 2016, showcasing promotional posters throughout the city. The following day marked her official announcement, positioning her at the forefront of an unprecedented K-pop experiment.

Her self-titled single album dropped on October 5, 2016, featuring the title track "ViViD". The song, originally titled "Hashtag," presented a lo-fi track about discovering vivid colors through love. Notably, HeeJin remains the only member without a "Who's Next Girl?" teaser image, rendering such promotion unnecessary given her pioneering status.

Setting the LOONAVERSE Foundation

BlockBerry Creative announced through Naver on October 2, 2016, their plan to debut a girl group through an 18-month pre-debut project. Production costs for HeeJin's solo album exceeded 200 million South Korean won, covering the Paris photoshoot, music production, both music videos, and advertisement installations throughout Seoul. A Paris-filmed teaser for the acoustic mix of "ViViD" released on October 2, demonstrating the scale of investment in this first chapter.

The project's ambitious scope laid groundwork for eleven more members to follow, each receiving individual promotional singles before the collective debut.

Impact on Her Career

Being first shaped HeeJin's trajectory within LOONA's structure. She debuted with the group's first sub-unit, LOONA 1/3, on March 7, 2017, performing alongside HyunJin, HaSeul, and ViVi. This sub-unit released the extended play "Love & Live" on March 13, 2017, with television promotion on SBS's Inkigayo.

Following the 18-month rollout, HeeJin officially debuted with LOONA as a full twelve-member group on August 20, 2018, with their debut EP [+ +]. Her pioneering position established her as a central figure, represented by the number 1 and the color bright pink.

She Lived in Brazil as a Child

The Brazilian Connection

During elementary school, HeeJin spent one month living in Brazil. This brief but meaningful period became a point of connection with international fans years later. She revealed this experience during a hello82 Portuguese quiz video, sparking immediate recognition from Brazilian Orbits. The revelation resonated deeply with fans in South America, causing her to trend as high as #2 in Brazil on Twitter. This unexpected viral moment demonstrated how personal childhood experiences create bridges between idols and global audiences.

Living in São Paulo's Koreatown

HeeJin resided in São Paulo, Brazil's largest city, specifically in the Bom Retiro neighborhood. This area holds significance as the largest Koreatown in Brazil, housing a substantial Korean population that migrated from the Korean Peninsula beginning in the 1960s. The neighborhood's Korean community grew from waves of immigration, establishing a cultural enclave that maintained Korean traditions abroad. Part of HeeJin's family continues to reside in Bom Retiro, maintaining their connection to the neighborhood. This family presence suggests deeper roots in the Brazilian-Korean community beyond a simple visit.

Cultural Influence on Her Identity

The Brazilian experience, though brief, left markers on HeeJin's international perspective. Living among the Korean diaspora in São Paulo exposed her to how Korean culture adapts and persists in foreign contexts. The enthusiastic response from Brazilian fans when she acknowledged this chapter reflected mutual recognition. Her willingness to share this aspect of her background strengthened bonds with South American supporters, who saw representation in a major K-pop idol. This cross-cultural experience distinguished her among peers, adding another dimension to her identity beyond her Korean upbringing and training.

HeeJin Trained for Only One Year Before Debut

The Audition Story

Twenty audition failures preceded HeeJin's entrance into the industry. Starting in her first year of middle school, she commuted between her home in Nonsan, Chungnam and Seoul, facing rejection at agency after agency. Her parents opposed the pursuit, viewing idol work as a frivolous profession. Her mother knew about the auditions but concealed them from her father, eventually joining him in urging HeeJin to abandon the dream after repeated rejections.

Financial barriers compounded the challenge. Each Seoul trip required approximately 50,000 won in transportation costs. Her high school sister provided money earned through part-time work. When parental support for dance academy fees vanished, a friend paid the registration instead. HeeJin later repaid both debts.

In 2015, BlockBerry Creative discovered her through Instagram, offering an audition opportunity that changed everything. She performed Lyn's "Ring Tone" and BTS's "Dope" during the audition process, securing her acceptance.

Rapid Training Process

HeeJin joined BlockBerry Creative as a trainee in 2015, completing her preparation in one year before selection as LOONA's first member. This compressed timeline stood in stark contrast to the industry standard of multi-year training periods. Living in the countryside created additional obstacles, with a four-hour commute to Seoul limiting her available practice hours.

Early Signs of Talent

BlockBerry Creative selected HeeJin as the inaugural member specifically for her talent. Agency staff repeatedly noted her ability to project a different aura and expression when cameras rolled. This camera presence, combined with her vocal tone and dance skills, validated her placement as the group's foundation despite concerns about whether LOONA would successfully debut.

She Ranked 4th on MIXNINE Survival Show

The MIXNINE Journey

In October, HeeJin auditioned for YG Entertainment's survival show MIXNINE alongside fellow LOONA members HaSeul and HyunJin. She passed the initial audition phase, becoming a contestant representing BlockBerry Creative throughout the competition. Yang Hyun Suk and rapper CL served as primary judges, traveling to different agencies across South Korea for auditions. Special guest judges including Big Bang's Seungri and Taeyang, along with singer Zion.T, joined for the final episode.

Her ranking fluctuated significantly during the competition. Early voting placed her first in advance voting, though she dropped to rank 7 by episode 4 before climbing back to rank 3 by episode 8. By episode 10, she held rank 5, and episode 13 saw her at rank 6. By the time the final episode aired, HeeJin secured 4th place among female participants.

Notable Performances

HeeJin performed Ariana Grande's "Greedy" during the show, demonstrating her versatility with Western pop. The performance showcased her dance skills and stage presence, contributing to her rising popularity among viewers. Netizens voted her the most beautiful female MIXNINE contestant, adding to her visibility throughout the competition.

Why She Couldn't Debut

The final rankings placed the top nine females as: Shin Ryujin (1st), Lee Soomin (2nd), Park Soomin (3rd), Jeon HeeJin (4th), Nam Yoojin (5th), Choi Moonhee (6th), Kim Sori (7th), Jang Hyokyung (8th), and Lee Hayoung (9th). The male team ultimately won, preventing the female team from debuting despite their top rankings.

YG Entertainment later cancelled the debut entirely after agencies rejected a proposed three-year contract that allocated six months yearly for MIXNINE promotions. Negotiations broke down when agencies found the terms unreasonable compared to the original under-one-year agreement. The show's poor ratings, ranging from 0.546% to 2.1%, influenced the decision.

HeeJin ARTMS: Winning the Lawsuit Against BlockBerry Creative

The Legal Battle

Nine LOONA members filed lawsuits against BlockBerry Creative in November 2022 at the Seoul Northern District Court Civil Division 1. The action followed BlockBerry's removal of Chuu from the group, citing abuse of power and improper behavior. Fans and industry professionals met these claims with widespread skepticism. Chuu had previously alleged years of mistreatment, including restrictions preventing her from going outside for more than 20 minutes daily and forfeiting large percentages of earnings from solo brand deals.

HeeJin joined Kim Lip, JinSoul, and Choerry in pursuing contract suspension, while Haseul, Yeojin, Yves, Olivia Hye, and Gowon filed separate injunctions. Vivi and Hyunjin did not participate initially.

Contract Suspension Victory

On January 13, 2023, the Seoul Northern District Court ruled in favor of HeeJin, Kim Lip, JinSoul, and Choerry, suspending their exclusive contracts with BlockBerry Creative. The court found their contractual conditions identical to Chuu's. This suspension freed them to conduct entertainment activities independently.

The five members who initially lost their cases had contract provisions modified one to two years prior, which the court deemed insufficiently unfair to warrant suspension. However, the Seoul High Court later overturned this decision in June 2023, ruling that BlockBerry Creative violated protocol by transferring contracts to Universal Music Japan without written consent from the members.

Moving to MODHAUS

HeeJin, Kim Lip, JinSoul, and Choerry signed exclusive contracts with MODHAUS on March 17, 2023. The agency, founded by former LOONA creative director Jaden Jeong, offered guidance during their fallout with BlockBerry. Jeong initially provided personal advice about selecting suitable management companies, but conversations revealed potential for continuing their careers under his direction.

The four members participated in the Artemis Strategy project, named after the Greek goddess of the moon. MODHAUS announced on April 1 that they would take part in the ARTMS project.

She's a Skilled Belly Dancer

Training Background

At age 11, HeeJin began learning belly dance, dedicating four years to mastering the art form. This early commitment to dance training predated her idol aspirations by several years. Initially, she wanted to pursue belly dancing as a professional career path. The discipline required for this Middle Eastern dance style built foundational body control and musicality that would later transfer to K-pop choreography.

The four-year training period demonstrated her dedication to performance arts from childhood. Despite her parents' later opposition to idol work, they supported this earlier artistic pursuit. However, singing remained her ultimate dream. The belly dancing chapter represented an exploratory phase where she developed stage confidence and physical expression skills.

Championship Win

HeeJin's commitment to belly dance culminated in winning a championship before transitioning to K-pop training. This competitive achievement validated her technical proficiency in the dance form. Winning required not just technical execution but also the ability to convey emotion and artistry through movement. The championship status distinguished her among trainees entering the idol industry, as few possessed such specialized performance credentials.

How It Influences Her Stage Presence

The belly dance foundation enhanced her idol performances through distinct body control capabilities. Middle Eastern dance emphasizes isolated muscle movements, hip articulation, and core strength. These skills translated directly to executing complex K-pop choreography with precision. Fans recognize her fluid movement quality and ability to convey sensuality without compromising power dancing.

Equally significant, the early performance experience eliminated stage fright. Years of belly dance competitions built comfort with audience attention and costume-based performances. This background contributed to BlockBerry Creative's observation about her transformative camera presence during auditions. The belly dancing skill set merged seamlessly with her vocal abilities, creating a well-rounded performer capable of handling diverse concepts from "ViViD" to "Algorithm."

HeeJin's Signature Muscular Arms

The Plank Master

LOONA LOG's tenth episode captured HeeJin demonstrating her exceptional core strength through an exercise that humbles most fitness enthusiasts. She set a timer for 5 minutes, maintaining proper plank position before immediately adding 2 more minutes, completing a 7-minute continuous plank. In truth, the average fit person holds planks for approximately 2 minutes, positioning her performance at more than triple the standard benchmark. Her personal record extends to 9 minutes, establishing her reputation among fans as having a "core of steel".

Training Routine

Following the extended plank, HeeJin transitioned directly into additional core-intensive exercises without rest. Her routine incorporated side planks, mountain climbers, leg raises, and plank hip dips. This comprehensive approach targets multiple muscle groups simultaneously. High planks engage not just abdominal muscles but also activate shoulders and arms, explaining the comprehensive upper body development she displays. The workout's intensity sparked challenges among fans attempting to replicate her 7-minute feat.

Fan Recognition

HeeJin's defined musculature drew viral attention, particularly in the United States. Performance photos revealed her extending arms during choreography, showcasing remarkably defined muscles. Additional images captured her contracting biceps, demonstrating the results of consistent training. Fans specifically celebrate her arm strength, with social media content highlighting "her biceps" and "arm muscles" as distinctive physical traits. The visible results of her plank mastery and dedicated training routine became a recognized aspect of her idol image, demonstrating that her commitment to fitness matches her artistic dedication.

She Has a Fear of Pigeons

The Origin of the Fear

Ornithophobia manifests seriously in HeeJin's case, causing genuine distress when confronted with pigeons. The fear stems from characteristics specific to Korean pigeons, which behave differently from their Western counterparts. Unlike birds in the United States or Europe that scatter when approached, Korean pigeons refuse to flee from humans and sometimes display aggressive behavior. These birds lack fear of people, creating unsettling encounters for those unaccustomed to such boldness. For someone sensitive to unpredictable movements, the confrontational nature of these city birds triggers anxiety responses.

Behind-the-Scenes Moments

Documented incidents reveal the intensity of her fear. During a Haunted Dinner filming, HeeJin experienced visible terror. Another clip captured her crying when encountering pigeons, demonstrating how deeply the phobia affects her. Fans recognized the severity enough to make notes avoiding offensive comments about the condition. These behind-the-scenes glimpses show vulnerability rarely visible during polished performances.

Contrasting Fearlessness on Stage

Behind-the-scenes footage from the "Why Not?" music video filming revealed a striking contradiction. HeeJin remained completely unfazed while crew members threw fireworks near her. This fearless response to genuine physical danger stands in sharp contrast to her pigeon anxiety, illustrating how fear operates independently of logic or bravery.

Jeon HeeJin Can Play Multiple Instruments

Guitar Skills

Musical talent extends beyond HeeJin's vocal abilities into instrumental proficiency. She plays guitar and expressed a desire to practice more formally to incorporate the instrument into her music. This aspiration reflects her interest in expanding her artistic repertoire beyond traditional idol performances. Her hands-on approach to learning demonstrates commitment to musical growth, creating chord books through her own drawings rather than purchasing commercial versions. This personalized method allows her to internalize chord progressions while building a reference system tailored to her learning style.

Most songs in her collection come from Baek Yerin, suggesting she gravitates toward the singer-songwriter's melodic complexity and emotive delivery. Learning these compositions requires technical skill, as Baek Yerin's music features intricate chord changes and sophisticated arrangements.

Piano Abilities

Piano represents another instrument in HeeJin's skill set. While less publicly documented than her guitar playing, this ability adds versatility to her musical foundation. Keyboard proficiency supports her understanding of music theory and composition.

Self-Taught Musical Journey

Her approach to mastering instruments reveals independence and resourcefulness. Drawing custom chord books instead of relying on standardized materials shows initiative in crafting learning tools suited to her needs. This self-directed methodology aligns with her broader artistic philosophy of continuous improvement and personal expression.