HYOLYN (효린)

Kim Hyo-jung, widely known by her stage name HYOLYN, was born on December 11, 1990, in Incheon, South Korea. From an early age, she faced numerous health challenges, including being born prematurely and battling biliary atresia, which required several surgeries and the eventual loss of her gall bladder. Despite these early struggles, HYOLYN developed a passion for singing and dancing, pursuing auditions independently due to a lack of support from those around her.

Her journey into the music industry began with auditions for JYP Entertainment, where she initially faced rejection but was eventually accepted after placing first in a subsequent audition. Though she was set to debut in a project group with notable trainees like Secret’s Jieun and EXID’s Hani, the plans fell through. Undeterred, HYOLYN moved to Starship Entertainment, where she auditioned with a cover of Christina Aguilera’s “Hurt” and was selected to be part of a new girl group.

In 2010, HYOLYN officially debuted with the girl group Sistar, which quickly gained attention with their debut single “Push Push.” The group was known for their powerful performances and vocal abilities, establishing them as a prominent act in the K-pop industry. In early 2011, HYOLYN and fellow member Bora formed the sub-group Sistar19. They achieved notable success with their singles “Ma Boy” and “Ma Boy 2,” further solidifying HYOLYN’s place in the music scene.

HYOLYN’s solo career began to take shape in 2012 when she made her acting debut in the KBS drama “Dream High Season 2,” playing a fictional idol named Nana. She also contributed to the soundtrack of the SBS drama “Master’s Sun” and performed with Stevie Wonder at the Mnet Asian Music Awards. Her solo debut album, Love & Hate, released in November 2013, featured hits like “One Way Love” and “Lonely,” both of which performed exceptionally well on music charts.

The following years saw HYOLYN expanding her solo career with various collaborations and soundtrack contributions. In 2014, she worked with artists such as Mad Clown and MC Mong and appeared on the variety show “I Am a Singer,” where she earned a second-place finish in the Chuseok special. Her participation in the show helped further establish her as a talented solo artist.

By 2015 and 2016, HYOLYN continued to make waves with her participation in “Unpretty Rapstar” and releasing tracks like “Love Line” and “Turnaround.” Despite her elimination from “I Am a Singer,” she showcased her vocal prowess and emotional depth, gaining praise from both fans and critics. Her first EP, It’s Me, was released in November 2016 and featured collaborations with prominent artists like Dok2 and Jay Park.

HYOLYN’s career took a significant turn in 2017 when she decided to leave Starship Entertainment and founded her own label, Bridʜ. The name “Bridʜ” symbolizes her ambition to bridge different aspects of music and connect with audiences on a deeper level. During this period, she released singles as part of a three-part project and continued to collaborate with various artists. Her post-Starship era saw a surge in independent activities, including her first solo world tour, “2019 HYOLYN 1st World Tour [TRUE].”

In the years 2020 and beyond, HYOLYN continued to evolve as an artist with the release of her second EP, Say My Name, and singles like “Layin’ Low.” She participated in the second season of “Queendom” and performed at the Youth Festival 2022. Her third EP, Ice, was released in July 2022, and she held solo concerts to further connect with her fans. HYOLYN’s career trajectory highlights her resilience, versatility, and dedication to her craft, solidifying her status as a significant figure in South Korea’s music industry.