Former 4Minute Member Nam Ji-hyun Reveals On-Set Harassment and Career Transition

Nam Ji-hyun, formerly of the South Korean girl group 4Minute, recently shared a disturbing experience of verbal abuse she endured early in her acting career. The revelation came during an appearance on the YouTube channel “Hwang Bo-ra Variety,” where she discussed the challenges she faced as a rookie actress while simultaneously being a member of the popular K-pop group.

Early Career Harassment

While filming her first drama as a member of 4Minute, Nam Ji-hyun recounted an incident where a camera director made a harsh and demeaning comment about her appearance. According to Nam Ji-hyun, the director told her, “You ugly bastard, stand in front.” Despite the potential for hurt feelings, she responded with a positive attitude, stating, “I’m going to go with the ugly bastard,” which reportedly surprised the director.

The director later apologized, explaining that he was unaware she was a member of 4Minute and had assumed she was a modern, inexperienced actress. He claimed his intention was to push her and build her confidence. Hwang Bo-ra, the host of the YouTube show, expressed her shock at the story, noting that such behavior would be considered unacceptable today.

4Minute’s Humble Beginnings

Nam Ji-hyun also shared insights into the early days of 4Minute, revealing the financial struggles the group faced. She explained that the five members initially shared a single room due to the company’s limited resources. Despite the challenging circumstances, she emphasized the strong bond and understanding among the members, stating they navigated the situation without major conflicts.

Transition to Barre Instructor

Currently, Nam Ji-hyun has transitioned to a new career path as a barre instructor. She explained that she sought a way to utilize her downtime effectively and maintain an active lifestyle, leading her to pursue certifications in ballet, pilates, yoga, and barre. She now owns and operates a barre studio.

About Nam Ji-hyun

Born on January 9, 1990, Nam Ji-hyun, also known mononymously as Jihyun, debuted as a member of 4Minute in 2009. The group officially debuted on June 18, 2009, with the single “Hot Issue.” Prior to joining Cube Entertainment, she auditioned for JYP Entertainment. She graduated from Sangmyung University in 2015 with a degree in Contemporary Ballet and received a lifetime achievement award from the university. [Source: Wikipedia]

[Source: The Chosun Ilbo] and [Source: Star News Korea]