Hanni Pham: Untold Facts About NewJeans' Vietnamese-Australian Icon

Hanni Pham made history as the first Australian-Vietnamese idol to debut under HYBE on July 22, 2022, marking a significant milestone for multicultural representation in K-pop. Born on October 6, 2004, in Melbourne, Australia, to Vietnamese parents, she quickly established herself as a standout member of NewJeans. The group's impressive debut resonated throughout the industry, with their first album selling over 440,000 copies in just three days.

Beyond her performance abilities, Hanni has notably contributed to NewJeans' creative direction with songwriting credits on hit tracks like "Hype Boy" and "OMG." Her Vietnamese heritage—with her father from Hanoi and mother from Ho Chi Minh City—has shaped her unique identity in the K-pop landscape. Additionally, her influence extends into the fashion world, where she serves as a global ambassador for prestigious brands including Gucci and Armani Beauty. Despite her rapid rise to fame, Hanni has also demonstrated courage by testifying before South Korean lawmakers regarding workplace harassment, highlighting her commitment to improving conditions in the entertainment industry.

Early life in Melbourne and Vietnamese roots

The vibrant multicultural city of Melbourne provided the backdrop for Hanni Pham's early years, shaping her identity long before she would step onto the global K-pop stage. While Melbourne is known for its significant Vietnamese community, Hanni's story begins with her family's journey to Australia, creating the foundation for her unique cultural perspective.

Hanni's family background and migration story

Hanni's Vietnamese heritage runs deep through both sides of her family. Her father hails from Hanoi in northern Vietnam, while her mother comes from Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) in the south. This north-south family dynamic reflects Vietnam's complex history, with her parents representing different regions of the country.

Her parents and grandparents migrated to Australia prior to her birth, becoming part of Melbourne's substantial Vietnamese community. Melbourne has historically been a significant settlement area for Vietnamese immigrants, particularly following the Vietnam War. After 1975, approximately 60,000 Vietnamese refugees, often referred to as "Boat People," settled in Melbourne.

Within this Vietnamese-Australian community, Hanni grew up alongside her younger sister Jasmine, who was born in Melbourne in 2007. Their family established roots in Australia while maintaining connections to their Vietnamese heritage.

Growing up in a multicultural household

Raised in Melbourne's diverse environment, Hanni developed a distinctly Australian identity while simultaneously being influenced by her Vietnamese roots. Her speech reflects this dual cultural upbringing, as she speaks English with what linguists identify as a Melbourne General Australian accent.

Throughout her childhood, cultural traditions from both worlds shaped her experiences. Hanni was raised Catholic, a religious background shared by many Vietnamese immigrants to Australia. This religious upbringing provided another layer to her multicultural identity.

Living between cultures presented both opportunities and challenges. Like many second-generation immigrants, Hanni navigated the complexities of honoring her heritage while integrating into Australian society. This "third-culture" experience—belonging neither exclusively to her parents' home culture nor completely to her birth country's culture—would later influence her adaptability when entering the Korean entertainment industry.

Her connection to Vietnamese culture

Despite being born and raised in Australia, Hanni maintains connections to her Vietnamese heritage, though with some of the language limitations common among second-generation immigrants. When speaking Vietnamese, she displays a Northern accent, reflecting her father's Hanoi origins.

"Speaking Vietnamese is hard," Hanni has admitted. Her Vietnamese has been described as somewhat "broken" though "enough to get by with family members, as is the case with many second-generation diaspora Vietnamese overseas". This linguistic reality reflects the common experience of children growing up in immigrant households, where the dominant local language often becomes their stronger tongue.

Her cultural identity as Vietnamese-Australian places her in a unique position within the K-pop industry. While not fully fluent in Vietnamese, her connection to her heritage remains an important aspect of her identity that resonates with fans who see themselves in her multicultural background.

Hanni's early life experiences navigating between Australian and Vietnamese cultures ultimately prepared her for adapting to Korean culture and language during her K-pop journey. This foundation in cultural flexibility would prove valuable as she later immersed herself in a third cultural environment during her training and debut with NewJeans.

Language, identity, and third-culture experience

As a third-culture kid navigating between Australian upbringing, Vietnamese heritage, and Korean career, Hanni Pham's linguistic journey reflects the complex identity many children of immigrants experience. Her language abilities have become central to both her challenges and strengths in the K-pop industry.

Fluency in English and Korean

English serves as Hanni's primary language, which she speaks with a distinctive Melbourne General Australian accent that immediately identifies her Australian roots. This accent, characterized by its unique vowel sounds and intonation patterns, remains a distinctive part of her identity even after years in Korea.

In contrast to some misleading reports, Hanni was not born in Vietnam but in Melbourne, Australia. She has developed impressive Korean language skills since joining the K-pop industry, though her journey to Korean proficiency has reportedly faced obstacles. According to her own testimony, Hanni's formal Korean language education was halted by her company approximately two years before her debut.

"I told the company that I wanted to take Korean classes too. But they said I can't," Hanni revealed. "They said I don't need them... My last class was 2 years ago."

This revelation concerned many fans who believed the company might be restricting her language development for marketing purposes—potentially to maintain her foreign appeal or youthful image. Nevertheless, Hanni has developed functional Korean proficiency through immersion and practice with her Korean groupmates.

Struggles with Vietnamese language

Despite her Vietnamese heritage, Hanni has acknowledged challenges with her ancestral language. "Speaking Vietnamese is hard," she has admitted, noting that while she can speak Vietnamese, she does so with a noticeable foreign accent. Her Vietnamese abilities reflect a common experience among second-generation immigrants—maintaining conversational skills while lacking the fluency of a native speaker.

Unlike some reports that claim she is trilingual, Hanni has expressed that she is "not that good at Vietnamese". This linguistic reality mirrors the experience of many third-culture kids who struggle to maintain their parents' language while growing up immersed in a different dominant language.

How her identity shaped her public image

Hanni's multilingual background has become integral to her public image as NewJeans' international member. Her Australian-Vietnamese identity positions her uniquely in the K-pop landscape where most non-Korean idols come from East Asian countries like Japan or China.

Her third-culture experience—belonging neither fully to Vietnamese nor Australian culture—prepared her for adapting to yet another cultural context in Korea. This adaptability resonates with fans who share similar experiences of cultural hybridity.

In October 2024, Hanni's language journey came full circle during her testimony at South Korea's National Assembly. Despite years in Korea, she expressed concern about her Korean language skills during this high-stakes official appearance and noted gratitude for the Australian Embassy's assistance. This moment highlighted both her progress and ongoing challenges with language acquisition.

Hanni's language journey demonstrates that cultural identity is not merely about birthplace or heritage but exists on a spectrum shaped by lived experience. For many third-culture kids, language proficiency becomes both a tool for connection and a source of insecurity—a duality Hanni continues to navigate in the public eye as she represents a new generation of multicultural K-pop idols.

Discovering K-pop and joining Aemina Dance Crew

Before stepping into the K-pop spotlight, Hanni Pham's journey began with a passion for music and dance that would eventually lead her to South Korea's competitive entertainment industry. Her path from Australian dance enthusiast to global idol showcases both determination and natural talent.

How she got into K-pop

Long before NewJeans, Hanni displayed a keen interest in popular music. As a child, she counted herself among the millions of One Direction fans worldwide, even attending one of their concerts in 2013 with a handmade sign showing her dedication. This early fascination with international pop music laid groundwork for her future career aspirations.

Her first formal step into the performance world came in 2014 when she participated in The Voice Kids Australia. During this competition, she performed a One Direction song, demonstrating her musical interests extended beyond casual fandom into performance. Although this predated her K-pop journey, it revealed her comfort on stage at a young age.

Eventually, Hanni's musical interests expanded to include K-pop, drawn to its distinctive blend of catchy melodies, synchronized choreography, and visual aesthetics. This growing fascination would ultimately transform from casual interest into serious pursuit.

Joining Aemina and early performances

By 2019, Hanni had fully immersed herself in Melbourne's vibrant K-pop community, joining Aemina Dance Crew—a group specializing in covering choreographies of popular K-pop groups. This Vietnamese-Australian dance crew became her creative outlet and training ground, allowing her to develop performance skills alongside friends who shared her passion.

A pivotal moment in Hanni's pre-debut story emerged when a video of her covering Red Velvet's "Zimzalabim" with Aemina went viral. The performance, while showing promise, revealed a dancer still developing her skills—a stark contrast to her polished performances today. Fans who discovered this footage after her debut with NewJeans noted the remarkable transformation in her abilities.

"No one starts spectacular," became a common refrain among supporters who appreciated seeing her growth journey. The viral video showed Hanni's potential but also highlighted how much she would develop through professional training.

The role of dance in her early development

Dance served as Hanni's primary entry point into the K-pop industry. Through Aemina, she gained experience performing choreographies that demanded precision, synchronization, and stage presence—all crucial skills for aspiring K-pop idols. These early performances built a foundation that would prove invaluable during her trainee years.

October 2019 marked a turning point when Hanni attended Source Music's global auditions in Melbourne. Interestingly, while dance had been her focus with Aemina, she chose to showcase a different talent during her audition. She performed Dodie Clark's "Would You Be So Kind" while accompanying herself on ukulele, displaying versatility beyond dance.

The improvement in Hanni's performance abilities from her Aemina days to her NewJeans debut demonstrates the effectiveness of professional training. Fans who discovered her pre-debut performances often comment on her remarkable growth: "She went from giving nothing to giving everything!" and "Her improvement is INSANE" represent common reactions to her transformation.

Through these formative experiences with Aemina Dance Crew, Hanni developed not just technical skills but also the confidence and performance intuition that would later become hallmarks of her stage presence with NewJeans. What began as a hobby covering K-pop choreographies ultimately prepared her for the global stage she would soon command.

Auditioning for HYBE and moving to Korea

In 2019, a pivotal turning point arrived in Hanni Pham's life when HYBE (then known as Big Hit Entertainment) announced their Plus Global Auditions—a worldwide talent search that would forever alter her trajectory from Melbourne dancer to K-pop sensation. This extensive recruitment initiative, spanning 16 cities across the globe, sought to discover the next generation of international talent for the powerhouse entertainment company.

Her global audition experience

October 2019 marked a significant milestone as Hanni participated in the Plus Global Auditions, an ambitious talent search that concluded by the year's end. What sets Hanni's journey apart is that she stands as the only NewJeans member discovered through this particular audition process. The auditions represented HYBE's vision of expanding their roster with global talent, creating groups with international appeal.

Hanni's success at these auditions proved particularly remarkable considering the competitive nature of K-pop recruitment. After passing the initial audition phase, she officially became a trainee in 2020. The timing coincided with HYBE's strategic plans, as internal documents revealed the company's intention to launch a new girl group in 2022 under the creative direction of Min Hee-jin.

Performing with a ukulele

Unlike many K-pop auditionees who typically showcase dance routines or vocal performances to popular songs, Hanni chose a more distinctive approach that highlighted her musical versatility. She performed while accompanying herself on the ukulele—an instrument she had played for years.

"I used to play ukulele all the time," Hanni has mentioned in videos, demonstrating her longstanding connection to the instrument. This musical choice proved memorable enough that footage from her audition was subsequently featured in NewJeans' official introduction materials.

The ukulele has remained a meaningful part of her artistic identity even after becoming an idol. "I've brought my ukulele to practice," she mentioned in behind-the-scenes content, revealing how she continues to practice and improve her skills. This musical foundation complemented her dance background, creating a multifaceted performer capable of contributing various talents to her future group.

Relocating to Korea without knowing Korean

Following her successful audition, Hanni faced perhaps her most daunting challenge yet—moving to a foreign country as a teenager. She relocated to Seoul to begin her trainee period despite having no prior knowledge of the Korean language. This dramatic transition required tremendous courage, especially considering the communication barriers she would initially face.

Embarking on intensive training under HYBE's system, Hanni began the demanding life of a K-pop trainee in an unfamiliar linguistic and cultural environment. The transition from Melbourne to Seoul represented not just a geographical shift but a complete immersion into a new way of life and career path.

Throughout her training period, Hanni gradually developed Korean language skills through daily immersion and practice. This linguistic journey paralleled her artistic development, as she simultaneously honed her dancing, singing, and performance abilities in preparation for eventual debut.

Hanni's audition journey exemplifies the unique path many international idols must navigate—combining exceptional talent with the willingness to adapt to entirely new cultural contexts. Her ukulele performance and subsequent relocation without Korean language skills illustrate both her distinctive artistic approach and remarkable determination to pursue her dreams, regardless of the challenges involved.

Training years and pre-debut challenges

Behind the polished performances of NewJeans lies Hanni Pham's challenging journey through Korea's rigorous trainee system—a period marked by significant personal sacrifice and remarkable artistic growth.

Life as a trainee under Source Music and ADOR

After passing the Plus Global Auditions in October 2019, Hanni officially began her trainee period in 2020. She initially trained under Source Music, a HYBE subsidiary, before eventually moving to ADOR, the newly established label that would ultimately debut NewJeans. This transition between companies occurred during her developmental period as HYBE reorganized its management structure.

Throughout her training, Hanni's dance abilities underwent remarkable transformation. Videos from her pre-debut performances went viral after NewJeans' debut, with fans noting the dramatic improvement in her skills. "No one starts spectacular," became a common observation as viewers compared her early dance covers to her polished performances with NewJeans. In fact, many commented that "her improvement is INSANE" and "she definitely stands out when she dances."

Balancing school and training

In the midst of intense preparation for debut, Hanni maintained her education through online courses at her former Australian high school. This commitment to academics alongside rigorous training demonstrates her determination to maintain balance despite the demanding schedule typical of K-pop trainees.

For many trainees, including Hanni, daily life followed a grueling pattern:

Training sessions often extending until 2 AM
Limited sleep before resuming activities
Constant pressure to improve performance skills
Uncertainty about debut timeline

Furthermore, ADOR placed importance on the members' growth beyond entertainment activities. The company stated they "provided support to ensure that minor to significant decisions in their work as well as their personal lives are made carefully and thoughtfully."

Cameo in BTS's 'Permission to Dance'

A highlight of Hanni's pre-debut period came in July 2021 when she made a cameo appearance in BTS's music video for "Permission to Dance." This brief but significant moment in the spotlight gave her early exposure to the global audience, albeit in a minor role. Consequently, she shared this milestone with future groupmate Minji, who also appeared in the video.

This cameo represented a vote of confidence from HYBE in both trainees' potential, as they were selected to appear in content for the company's flagship group. The appearance hinted at HYBE's plans for these trainees nearly a year before NewJeans would officially debut.

Throughout approximately two and a half years of training, Hanni persevered through countless challenges—adapting to a new culture, mastering dance techniques, developing vocal abilities, and preparing for the intense scrutiny of public life—all while pursuing her education and maintaining connections to her Australian-Vietnamese identity.

Debut with NewJeans and rise to fame

After completing the grueling trainee period, July 2022 marked Hanni Pham's official entrance into the K-pop industry through a revolutionary debut strategy that caught the entire music world by surprise.

Surprise debut with 'Attention'

On July 1, 2022, ADOR teased their new girl group by posting three animated videos showing "22," "7," and "22," hinting at a July 22 release. Unexpectedly, NewJeans debuted on July 22, 2022, with their first single "Attention" without any prior promotion or information about the group's lineup. This unconventional approach was described by Billboard as "risky-but-ultimately invigorating," highlighting how it placed "an emphasis on the music before anything else".

The strategy proved successful as "Attention" immediately became NewJeans' first number-one song on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart. Just one day after their debut single, the group released "Hype Boy" on July 23, alongside clips revealing the members' names and four perspective-specific music videos. Their debut EP was subsequently released for download and streaming on August 1, 2022.

Her role in the group and early recognition

Within NewJeans, Hanni established herself as a key member whose Australian-Vietnamese background brought unique cultural perspectives to the group. She is officially recognized as the first Australian-Vietnamese idol to debut under HYBE. Beyond her performance abilities, her multicultural identity contributed significantly to NewJeans' global appeal.

After debuting, the group quickly gained momentum, holding their first overseas performances at KCON events in Saudi Arabia and Japan by October 2022. Music critics praised their debut EP, with Pitchfork describing it as "a plush and stylish collection of '90s and '00s-indebted R&B".

Songwriting credits for 'Hype Boy' and 'OMG'

Perhaps most notably, Hanni has contributed creatively to NewJeans' music. She participated in writing lyrics for "Hype Boy," which reached number two on the South Korean Circle Digital Chart. The song achieved extraordinary longevity, becoming the longest-running song on the Billboard Global 200 by a K-pop female act, charting for 42 weeks.

Her songwriting talents were showcased again with "OMG," released in January 2023 as part of the group's first single album. She collaborated with songwriters Gigi, Ylva Dimberg, and Park Jin-su for the lyrics. The song went viral on TikTok and peaked at number 74 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Regarding her creative process, Hanni has expressed ambitious future goals: "There are so many possibilities and things I want to try out in the future, but music-wise, I would love to produce my own song. Sharing the song with the world would be like opening up a part of my heart and mind to everyone".

Fashion, visuals, and brand endorsements

Beyond her musical achievements, Hanni Pham has established herself as a formidable presence in the fashion world, securing partnerships with prestigious luxury brands that highlight her growing global influence.

Becoming a Gucci global ambassador

Hanni's fashion journey reached a significant milestone when she began representing Gucci in 2022. Her partnership with the Italian luxury house evolved substantially in January 2024 when she was appointed as Gucci Beauty's Global Brand Ambassador. This expanded role showcased her versatility as she appeared in promotional videos applying the brand's Rouge à Lèvres Mat lipstick in the signature "Rosso Ancora" shade. The collaboration demonstrated her growing influence at just 19 years old, making her one of the brand's youngest global ambassadors.

Her presence at Milan Fashion Week, specifically at Gucci's Spring/Summer 2025 show, cemented her status in high fashion circles. Hanni made headlines with her bold fashion choices, wearing a striking backless crop top paired with loose-fitted jeans.

Partnerships with Armani Beauty and UGG

February 2023 marked another significant milestone as Hanni became the Global Make-up Ambassador for Armani Beauty. Founder Giorgio Armani personally praised her, stating: "Hanni is a very young artist with great expressive power and an irresistible and captivating individuality: a contrast that I find interesting".

Moreover, in early 2024, Hanni joined UGG as their Global Brand Ambassador, starring in their Spring-Summer 2024 campaign. The collaboration featured her modeling new styles including the GoldenGlow sandals, Stratus sandals, and Venture Daze clogs. Hanni expressed her connection to the brand: "UGG is a brand that I have grown up with and that exists very fondly in a lot of my younger memories".

Hanni Pham short hair and visual transformation

April 2024 brought a striking visual transformation when Hanni debuted a short hairstyle in NewJeans' "Bubblegum" music video. This fresh look immediately captivated fans, generating comments like "Who else could look this pretty with that hair?" and "Hanni has become even cuter".

Essentially, the short hair marked a significant style evolution, though it was later revealed to be a wig rather than a permanent change. This ability to transform her appearance showcases her versatility as a fashion icon who continuously reinvents herself while maintaining her distinctive charm.

Speaking out and industry advocacy

In October 2024, Hanni Pham's influence extended beyond entertainment as she stepped into unexpected territory—political advocacy for performers' rights in the Korean music industry.

Testimony at the Korean National Assembly

On October 15, 2024, Hanni appeared before South Korea's National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee, delivering emotional testimony about workplace harassment. "We are all human. I think a lot of people are forgetting that," she stated with a trembling voice, tears streaming down her face. First of all, she described overhearing a manager instructing members of another girl group to "ignore her" and alleged that high-ranking company officials consistently failed to return her greetings.

The 20-year-old Vietnamese-Australian idol candidly shared her experiences: "I felt like the people who could protect us were gone, and they had no intention of protecting us. I instantly felt like a liar." Her testimony followed NewJeans' now-deleted YouTube livestream from September 11, where members raised concerns about their treatment at ADOR.

Discussion on labor rights for idols

Hanni's appearance highlighted a critical legal gap in the K-pop industry. "I understand that contracts for artists and trainees may be different [from regular workers], but we are all human," she emphasized. The hearings revealed that K-pop idols aren't legally classified as employees under Korean labor law, limiting their protection from workplace harassment.

In this situation, fans rallied under the hashtag #IdolsAreWorkers, pushing for greater industry reforms. The discussion underscored the power imbalance between entertainment companies and young performers, with industry experts noting that while conversations about implementing laws similar to the Talent Agency Act exist, no such legislation has been enacted yet.

Support from the Australian Embassy

Given these points, the Australian Embassy provided assistance to Hanni during this challenging period. She expressed gratitude for their support during her testimony. "I am grateful for the attention people have shown to this issue," Hanni remarked in her closing statement, hoping her colleagues and trainees wouldn't face similar concerns in the future.

Her courage to speak publicly about industry issues might prompt broader discussions about labor rights and protection of K-pop idols in an increasingly global entertainment landscape.