In the history of K-pop, few idols have had such an unusual origin story as Hyeju, also known as Olivia Hye. Among the Orbits, the LOONA fandom, her name once sparked pride and curiosity. It remains the rare case of a member debuting after just one day of training.
Born in 2001 as Son Hyeju, she was introduced to the public in 2018 as the last member to complete LONDONunder BlockBerry Creative. While most idols endure years of rigorous apprentice life, Hyeju’s “one day intern” the story quickly became legendary in the fandom. She seemingly went straight from ordinary life to the debut stage, bringing with her a cool charisma and a slightly rebellious aura that proved irresistibly endearing.
Unlike the typical “sweet view” archetype, Hyeju is distinguished by her sharp features, feline eyes and powerful stage presence. Within LONDONhe often handled technically demanding rap and dance parts. His “girl crush” Her outspoken, down-to-earth image and personality gave her a distinct color within the group and helped her build one of the strongest individual fan bases.
However, after LONDON Having fallen into a contract dispute with their agency, the members began to pursue new avenues. Some debuted again, others focused on solo careers. Hyeju, along with several former members, formed the unit Loose assembly to continue their journey. Yet internal turbulence and what fans described it as poor promotional strategies on the part of the new company he gradually left the group in a state of inactivity.
In June last year, Hyeju unexpectedly deactivated her personal Instagram account, which she had initially updated rarely. There was no farewell post, no official announcement and no explanation. Previously, she had also been largely inactive on fan communication platforms like Bubble. The prolonged silence prompted countless questions online.
In particular, during LONDONOn the occasion of ‘s 7th anniversary of debut, other members publicly celebrated the milestone. Hyeju, however, remained completely silent. For many fans, this absence has strengthened speculation that she may have easily walked away from the world of entertainment 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 new debut, no confirmed solo projects and no joint livestream appearances with former members. Also friend LONDON members reportedly have little to share about his current position.
Some fans believe he could just rest and prioritize his mental health after years of intense pressure from the industry. Others support it Hyeju has never seemed particularly fond of social mediasuggesting that deactivating your account could be a personal choice rather than a sign of retirement. Known for her outspoken and independent personality, many believe she would not easily tolerate controlling traits or constraints that may clash with the rigid structure of the K-pop idol system.
However, optimists remain hopeful. Hyeju once expressed interest in releasing a solo album, and her silence may be a necessary step back before a new beginning. In the world of entertainment, it’s not uncommon for artists to go on hiatus only to make a surprise return later.
For now, there is no official confirmation whether Hyeju has retired or plans to return. The only certainty is his absence from public platforms which leaves fans wondering what the future holds for the idol who debuted shortly after “a day of training”.
Sources: K14
