What's next after disbandment? 4Minute members’ unexpected second acts draw attention

From left, Heo Ga-yoon, Nam Ji-hyun, and Jeon Ji-yoon / Xportsnews

A decade after K-pop group 4Minute disbanded, its members are drawing renewed attention — not for a reunion, but for how far they have drifted from the spotlight. From a secret web novel writer to a Bali-based author and a fitness instructor, their unexpected career pivots are sparking curiosity among fans online.

4Minute, which debuted in 2009, rose to fame with hits like "Hot Issue," "Crazy," and "What's My Name?" before disbanding in 2016. While the group left behind a strong legacy in second-generation K-pop, its members have since carved out strikingly different paths — many far removed from the entertainment industry.

One of the most surprising transformations comes from Jeon Ji-yoon, who revealed she has been working as a web novel writer — quietly and under a pseudonym. Appearing on a YouTube show hosted by the channel “ZZIN_PAGE,” she said, "I kept my work as a web novel writer a secret, so I was surprised to be contacted for this appearance."

She added, "This is my first time appearing on a broadcast as a web novel writer."

Jeon Ji-yoon / Captured from YouTube channel “ZZIN_PAGE”

Explaining how she entered the field, Jeon said, "I was originally a reader, but I thought, 'What if I try writing myself?' There happened to be a government-supported academy program that was free, so I applied. After passing the interview and being selected as an outstanding student, I signed a contract and debuted as a writer."

When asked whether she would reveal her pen name, she said, "I’ve thought about it, but I’m not sure if it would be good for me. Right now, I don’t think it would be, so I haven’t revealed it yet."

Heo Ga-yoon / Captured from YouTube channel "yeommisol"

Meanwhile, Heo Ga-yoon has taken a radically different route — relocating to Bali, Indonesia, where she has been living for about two years. Her lifestyle shift, shared through a YouTube appearance on “yeommisol,” has drawn attention for its candid reflections on mental health and personal recovery.

"I was going through a difficult time, and Ji-yoon told me, 'At times like this, you should go out and rest your mind and heart,'" Heo said. "I followed her advice and went to Bali, and I loved it so much that I ended up staying."

She added, "Toward the end of my trip, I started sleeping really well. It was something I hadn’t felt in years. I also used to have symptoms that made me want to binge eat, but those completely disappeared."

In July last year, Heo published an essay titled “I Became Most Myself in the Most Unfamiliar Sea,” chronicling her life in Bali — marking yet another shift, this time into writing.

Although she previously said on YouTube channel “HACHA_SEONEON” that she no longer has a "strong attachment" to the entertainment industry, she clarified that she has not retired entirely.

Nam Ji-hyun / Captured from Hwang Bo-ra's YouTube channel

Nam Ji-hyun has also stepped away from her earlier career as an actress. She is now working as a barre instructor, combining elements of ballet and fitness. On the YouTube channel “boriety,” she said, "It’s been four years since I got my Pilates certification, and I’ve been doing barre for two years. I’ve tried many types of exercise, but this is the least boring."

Explaining her decision, she said, "Because our job involves a lot of downtime, I wanted to live more efficiently and actively, so I started this."

While 4Minute may no longer exist as a group, its members continue to evolve in ways that challenge the typical post-idol trajectory. Rather than clinging to past fame, they are building new identities — quietly, independently, and often outside the spotlight.

This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.