Lee Hyeri, known mononymously as Hyeri, is one of South Korea’s most beloved and recognizable stars. Initially rising to fame as the energetic youngest member of the K-pop group Girl’s Day, she has since defied expectations to build an impressive and multifaceted career as a successful actress and entertainer. Her journey from a girl group “maknae” to a respected leading lady, all while maintaining her down-to-earth charm, has solidified her status as the “Nation’s Little Sister.”
Profile
Name: Hyeri
Birth Name: Lee Hye-ri (이혜리)
Birthday: June 9, 1994
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Height: 167 cm (5 ft 6 in)
Instagram: @hyeri_0609
Twitter: N/A
Fun Facts
- She is an ESFJ.
- During the early days when Girl’s Day was a five-member group, she shared a room at the dorm with their female manager.
- Hyeri has named Yoona as her role model.
- In the group’s early days, Hyeri rarely held the mic, but at some point, she became the unofficial spokesperson of Girl’s Day—even over the leader.
- She’s famous in the idol world for her willingness to use her face in comedic and exaggerated ways without hesitation.
- In episode 4 of Reply 1988, her “eeeing” aegyo was a hit, marking her second trademark charm point.
- When promoting in Japan, she uses the katakana “ヘリ” (Heri) instead of “ヒェリ” (Hyeri), because the latter is hard for Japanese speakers. Ironically, “ヘリ” also means “helicopter” in Japanese, so “Girls’ Day Hyeri” humorously becomes “Girls’ Day Helicopter.”
- Hyeri has a prominent thyroid cartilage (“Adam’s apple”), which for a woman is unusual and can spark myths—it was confirmed on Amazing Saturday – Dohremi Market. They also revealed she has no nasal bone, as makeup rubbed off when she turned.
- She has a connection with Kwon Eun-bi—Kwon Eun-bi was her high school junior and once danced as Girl’s Day’s backup dancer.
- Through Amazing Saturday – Dohremi Market, she befriended BLACKPINK’s Rosé, joining the BLINK fandom.
- She’s also close with Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon and a member of SONE.
- She and SHINee’s Key have a sibling-like relationship on the show.
- In middle school, she worked part-time as a hand model at a nail art shop. She recalls it wasn’t easy, even though she just had to sit still. She earned ₩100,000 for her first job.
- Her voice resembles Sung Yuri’s, and her go-to personal trick is doing a Sung Yuri impersonation.
- She frequently visits escape room cafes and is well-known by their owners—“When I walk in, they always say, ‘Ah, you’re here!’”
- She loves sharing her favorite things with close friends—if someone says, “That was amazing, I want to do it again,” she beams and says, “Right? Right? Let’s do it again!”
- As a child, her father gave her a boy’s haircut after her mother reluctantly cut her hair. She still feels embarrassed when looking at old photos.
- She dislikes coffee—not because of caffeine allergy, but because she doesn’t like its bitter taste.
- She’s afraid of dogs, except for her own puppy, “Hodu,” whom she’s known since it was tiny.
- She owns a building in Yeoksam-dong purchased for about ₩4.4 billion.
Career
2010–2014: The Girl’s Day Era and Variety Breakthrough
Hyeri debuted in September 2010, joining Girl’s Day for their second single album. Initially, the group struggled to find its footing. However, with a shift to a sexier, more mature concept with hits like “Expect,” “Female President,” and “Something,” Girl’s Day ascended to become a top-tier girl group. As the youngest member, Hyeri was known for her vibrant energy and stage presence.
Her career reached a pivotal turning point in 2014 with a guest appearance on the military variety show Real Men. A short, unscripted clip of her breaking into a tearful, whiny aegyo (a cute, childlike display of affection) after a stern instructor’s farewell went viral. The moment was authentic, relatable, and utterly charming. It exploded online, making Hyeri a household name overnight. The “Hyeri effect” was immediate and staggering; she was inundated with endorsement offers, reportedly earning over a billion won from CFs (commercial films) in a matter of months and single-handedly raising her group’s profile.
2015–2018: The Actress is Born with Reply 1988
In 2015, Hyeri was cast as the lead, Sung Deok-sun, in tvN’s Reply 1988. The decision was met with intense public skepticism and backlash. Netizens questioned whether an idol, known primarily for her variety show persona, could lead such a highly anticipated drama. Director Shin Won-ho later admitted he cast her because he was impressed by her real-life personality, believing she was Deok-sun.
Hyeri proved her critics wrong. Her portrayal of the loud, clumsy, but incredibly warm-hearted middle child was a revelation. She captured the nuances of teenage angst, fierce loyalty, and quiet insecurity with a naturalism that resonated deeply with audiences. The drama became a cultural phenomenon, shattering viewership records to become one of the highest-rated Korean dramas in cable television history. Hyeri’s performance won her widespread critical acclaim and numerous awards, silencing all doubts and solidifying her transition from idol to a legitimate and beloved actress.
2019–Present: Solidifying Her Status and New Ventures
After the members of Girl’s Day amicably parted ways with their agency in 2019 to focus on solo work (the group insists they have not disbanded), Hyeri fully committed to her acting career. She has been deliberate in her choice of roles, exploring different genres to avoid being typecast. She starred in the office drama Miss Lee, the fantasy rom-com My Roommate Is a Gumiho, and the historical drama Moonshine.
In 2021, she embraced a new platform by launching a YouTube channel, “I’m Lee Hyeri.” The channel was an instant success, offering fans an unfiltered look into her daily life. Her vlogs, mukbangs (eating shows), and behind-the-scenes content showcased the same bubbly, unpretentious personality that first won hearts on Real Men, further cementing her public image as relatable and authentic.
Personal Life
Early Life
Born on June 9, 1994, in Gwangju, Gyeonggi, South Korea, Hyeri’s path to stardom was not one of privilege. She has been candid about her family’s financial difficulties during her youth, revealing that her mother worked for 15 years in a factory to support the family. This upbringing instilled in her a powerful sense of responsibility and a formidable work ethic that would become a hallmark of her career.
Scouted by Dream T Entertainment after winning a prize at a talent show, she was added to the Girl’s Day lineup in late 2010. She balanced her burgeoning idol career with her studies, graduating from the prestigious Seoul School of Performing Arts and later enrolling in Konkuk University to major in Film, signaling her acting ambitions early on.
Relationships
Hyeri’s dating life has occasionally made headlines, starting in April 2013 when news broke that she was dating Tony An, a former member of the legendary first-generation K-pop group H.O.T. Despite a 16-year age difference, the relationship drew intense media attention. However, the couple broke up after just eight months.
In August 2017, Hyeri confirmed she was in a relationship with actor Ryu Jun-yeol, her co-star from the hit drama Reply 1988. Their on-screen chemistry as Deok-sun and Jung-hwan had already captured fans’ hearts, so the news of their real-life romance was met with widespread excitement. Despite keeping things low-key, Hyeri and Ryu Jun-yeol were a beloved couple for over six years. Their sudden breakup in November 2023 left many fans surprised and disappointed.
As of July 1, 2025, entertainment insiders revealed that Hyeri is now dating dancer Wootae, whom she reportedly met during the filming of the dance-centric movie Victory. In the film, Hyeri played the passionate leader of a rookie cheer squad, while Wootae, along with fellow dancer Kinky, worked as one of the choreographers. The two are said to have been dating for over a year, keeping their relationship private until recent reports brought it to light.
Philanthropy
Hyeri is a dedicated philanthropist. She became the youngest member of UNICEF’s Honors Club in 2019 after donating ₩100 million (approx. $84,000 USD). She has made numerous significant donations over the years to causes supporting underprivileged children, disaster relief, and education.
Net Worth
Her net worth is estimated to be between $10-20 million USD, a figure built from her successful group activities, a massive portfolio of endorsements that once made her the “₩10 billion girl,” and her consistent work as a leading actress.
Controversies/Incidents
Rising Sun Flag T-shirt Controversy
Around April 2012, Hyeri was photographed during a rehearsal for a domestic event wearing a t-shirt with a small Rising Sun flag design. It was later revealed that the shirt was a gift from a Japanese fan as a token of appreciation for Girl’s Day’s free concert in Sendai to aid earthquake victims. Although the design was small and hard to notice, wearing such a controversial symbol was deemed a serious mistake for a public figure. As the issue grew, Girl’s Day’s international fan page “Girl’s Day Daily” issued an apology, and Hyeri herself publicly apologized on May 2.
On-Stage Collapse After Music Show
On January 16, 2014, while promoting “Something,” Hyeri collapsed after finishing her live performance on M Countdown. It was later revealed that she had forced herself to perform while suffering from a severe flu. Though she reassured fans that she was okay via Twitter later that night, concerns grew over idols being overworked. The next day, she still appeared for a pre-recording on Music Bank, and it was eventually disclosed on Human Documentary: People Are Good that she had been diagnosed with swine flu. Hyeri said she remembered up to the start of the performance but had no memory afterward.
Awards Speech Attitude Controversy
At the 2014 Melon Music Awards, Hyeri was seen in the background of a fancam of IU during BEAST’s acceptance speech. Some BEAST fans claimed that Hyeri’s expressions and reactions appeared mocking—particularly during Son Dong-woon’s speech. The clip led to backlash, with netizens criticizing her for seeming disrespectful. Hyeri later tweeted a direct apology to Son Dong-woon, calling herself a “big fan” and apologizing if she caused offense. However, her apology was also criticized for including a carefully staged photo, and fans questioned her sincerity since she had never been seen at a BEAST concert. The tweet was later deleted.
Albamon Commercial Controversy
On February 1, 2015, Hyeri starred in a new commercial for the job platform Albamon. Some small business associations criticized the ad, claiming it portrayed them as exploitative employers. While many defended the commercial’s message about labor rights, one ad—focused on overtime pay—was taken down for insufficient legal explanation. Despite simply acting according to the script, Hyeri was swept into the controversy and humorously dubbed “Labor Rights Idol” and even “General Lee-ing.” The debate became so notable it was featured on JTBC Newsroom, marking her unexpected appearance in a serious news segment.
Promoting Her Sister’s Online Store
On the July 6, 2019 episode of DoReMi Market, Hyeri wrote the name of her younger sister’s shopping mall on a piece of paper and held it up to the camera. The name was partially blurred during broadcast, but viewers quickly identified the shop. The following day, the shop trended on search engines, and Hyeri posted a bragging message on Instagram—only to be criticized for using broadcast airtime for personal promotion. She deleted the post and issued a formal apology on July 8.
Instagram Story Controversy
On March 15, 2024, news broke that Hyeri’s ex-boyfriend Ryu Jun-yeol was seen in Hawaii with actress Han So-hee, leading to dating rumors. Around 11 a.m. that day, Hyeri posted an Instagram Story with the caption “Interesting,” showing a photo of the Thai resort where she was staying. She also unfollowed Ryu Jun-yeol. Many interpreted the post as a reaction to the alleged “rebound” relationship, sparking a social media storm.
Later that day, Han So-hee responded via Instagram Stories, denying any wrongdoing and asserting that she doesn’t interfere in others’ relationships. She wrote, “I like dating shows, but I don’t live like one,” indirectly addressing the accusation of being involved in a “rebound relationship.”
On March 16, Han So-hee posted a formal blog statement, confirming her relationship with Ryu Jun-yeol and stating she would apologize directly to Hyeri for her social media post.
On March 18, Hyeri broke her silence with an Instagram post. She explained that even after their breakup in November, she and Ryu Jun-yeol had agreed to talk things through—but there had been no contact since. She admitted that her “interesting” post stemmed from genuine emotions upon seeing the new dating news. She apologized for the misunderstandings and speculation caused by her post, stating that it came from her feelings as a person, not as a public figure.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Type | Role | Notes |
|---|
| 2012 | Tasty Life | Drama | Jang Mi-hyun | Acting debut |
| 2014 | Schoolgirl Detectives | Drama | Lee Ye-hee | Supporting role |
| 2015 | Hyde, Jekyll, Me | Drama | Min Woo-jung | Supporting role |
| 2015 | Reply 1988 | Drama | Sung Deok-sun | Breakout lead role |
| 2016 | Entertainer | Drama | Jung Geu-rin | Lead role |
| 2017 | Two Cops | Drama | Song Ji-an | Lead role |
| 2018 | Monstrum | Film | Myung | Main role |
| 2019 | My Punch-Drunk Boxer | Film | Min-ji | Supporting role |
| 2019 | Miss Lee | Drama | Lee Sun-sim | Lead role |
| 2020 | Record of Youth (ep. 13) | Drama | Lee Hae-ji | Guest cameo |
| 2021 | My Roommate Is a Gumiho | Drama | Lee Dam | Lead role |
| 2021 | Moonshine | Drama | Kang Ro-seo | Lead role |
| 2022 | May I Help You? | Drama | Baek Dong-joo | Lead role |
| 2024 | Victory | Film | Pil-seon | Main role |
| 2025 | Friendly Rivalry | Drama | Yoo Je-Yi | Main role |
