Jeon Hee-jin (Korean: 전희진; born October 19, 2000), known professionally as Heejin, is a South Korean singer, lyricist, and dancer.[1][2]She first gained prominence as the inaugural member of the girl group LOONA under Blockberry Creative, debuting with her solo single "ViViD" on October 5, 2016, which introduced the group's innovative 12-month rollout concept.[3][4]As part of LOONA's subunit LOONA 1/3, she contributed to the 2017 mini-album Love & Live, and later participated in the full group's major releases, including the 2018 debut extended play [++], which charted on the Billboard World Albums chart.[4][2]In January 2023, Heejin, along with fellow LOONA members Kim Lip, Jinsoul, and Choerry, successfully terminated their exclusive contracts with Blockberry Creative through a court injunction amid ongoing legal disputes over management and compensation.[5]Following the group's effective dissolution, she signed with the startup label MODHAUS and co-founded the five-member project group ARTMS with HaSeul, Kim Lip, Jinsoul, and Choerry, debuting with the full-length album Dall on May 31, 2024, which explored themes of rebirth and nature inspired by Greek mythology.[6][7]Heejin marked her full solo career milestone with the mini-album K on October 31, 2023, led by the single "Algorithm," a track blending traditional Korean elements with futuristic pop, and has since contributed lyrics to ARTMS songs like "Goddess."[3][8]In 2025, ARTMS released their second mini-album Club Icarus and embarked on world tours including Lunar Theory and Grand Club Icarus. Their work has earned critical acclaim, including placements on Billboard's lists of the best K-pop albums and songs of 2024, highlighting the group's role in continuing LOONA's legacy of experimental storytelling and fan empowerment.[7][9]
Early life and education
Early life
Jeon Hee-jin was born on October 19, 2000, in Daejeon, South Korea.[2] She is the youngest of three daughters in her family.[2]During her early years, she showed an interest in the performing arts, particularly music and dance. As a child, she briefly took piano lessons and frequently practiced dancing with her sisters in their living room.[10]Her passion for dance became evident early on, leading her to attend a dance academy despite the considerable distance from her home, which required long commutes.[11] These childhood experiences in school activities and family settings laid the foundation for her later pursuits in the entertainment industry.
Education
Jeon Hee-jin attended Incheon Hambak Elementary School, completing her primary education there.[11] She then progressed to Saint Paul Girls' Middle School in Chungcheongnam-do, where she graduated before entering high school.[10] During middle school, Hee-jin developed an early interest in dance by enrolling in a local academy, laying the foundation for her performing arts pursuits.[12]In 2015, at age 14, Hee-jin was scouted via social media and joined Blockberry Creative as a trainee, marking the start of her approximately 1 year and 5 months of pre-debut preparation.[11] To accommodate her training commitments in Seoul, she transferred to Hansung Girls' High School, a institution known for its support of student-artists.[13] Throughout high school, Hee-jin balanced rigorous academic requirements with intensive daily training sessions in vocals, dance, and performance, often managing a demanding schedule that included early morning classes followed by extended practice at the agency.[14] This period involved challenges such as assisting fellow trainee Hyun-jin with mobility after a dance-related injury, highlighting the physical toll of her dual responsibilities.[14]Hee-jin successfully graduated from Hansung Girls' High School on January 7, 2019, alongside Hyun-jin, reflecting her perseverance in completing her formal education amid professional demands.[14]
Career
2016–2022: Pre-debut training, LOONA debut, and group activities
Jeon Hee-jin joined Blockberry Creative as a trainee in 2015 and was the first member revealed for the girl group LOONA through the label's "Girl of the Month" pre-debut project. On October 5, 2016, she released her solo single album HeeJin, featuring the upbeat dance track "ViViD" as the title song, accompanied by a music video that highlighted her dynamic performance style and introduced the project's monthly reveal concept.[15] The release garnered attention for its fresh visual aesthetics and marked Hee-jin's entry into the K-pop scene, with promotional activities including her first fansign event in Seoul later that month.In early 2017, Hee-jin participated in the JTBC survival program Mix Nine, a collaboration between YG Entertainment and other agencies to form a co-ed group; she advanced to the female top 9 during the finale but the project did not result in a debut due to agency decisions. Later that year, on March 13, she debuted as part of LOONA's first subunit, LOONA 1/3 (with Hyun-jin, Ha-seul, and Vivi), with the extended play Love & Live, led by the title track "Love & Live," which emphasized themes of youthful romance and live performances. The subunit's promotions included music show appearances and concept photos that built anticipation for the full group assembly.[16]LOONA made their full-group debut on August 20, 2018, with the extended play [+ +], featuring the title track "Hi High" and a pre-release single "favOriTe" performed by Hee-jin, Hyun-jin, Ha-seul, and Yeo-jin; the album's release was preceded by a debut showcase and the concert LOONAbirth on August 19 at Olympic Hall in Seoul, serving as the group's first fan meeting.[17] Follow-up releases included the repackage album [X X] on February 19, 2019, with "Butterfly" as the lead single, and the subunit-involved promotions that showcased Hee-jin's lead vocal and dance roles. LOONA entered the Japanese market on September 15, 2021, with the bilingual single "Hula Hoop / StarSeed 〜カクセイ〜" under Universal Music Japan, marking their international expansion.)The group continued with the extended play [#] on June 15, 2020, led by "O.O," and [12:00] on October 19, 2020, featuring "Star," though promotions were impacted by Ha-seul's health hiatus and the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed their planned world tour [LOONATHEWORLD] originally set for late 2020.[18] During this period, LOONA achieved recognition, including the Best Korean Act award at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards and a win at the 2020 M2 Year-End Awards for their innovative concepts.[19]By 2022, escalating contract disputes with Blockberry Creative led to multiple members, including Hee-jin, filing lawsuits to terminate their exclusive contracts over issues like profit distribution and management mistreatment; Chuu was removed from the group in November, and the remaining activities halted, resulting in LOONA's indefinite hiatus announcement.
2023–present: LOONA hiatus, ARTMS formation, tours, and solo releases
Following the resolution of LOONA's contract disputes, Heejin and several former members pursued independent activities after winning an injunction to terminate their exclusive contracts with BlockBerry Creative in January 2023. This legal victory, stemming from a lawsuit filed in late 2022 over profit distribution and management issues, allowed Heejin to sign with MODHAUS, a new agency founded by LOONA's former creative director Jaden Jeong. Heejin released her first solo mini-album K on October 31, 2023, led by the single "Algorithm," blending traditional Korean elements with futuristic pop.[20] In February 2024, Heejin, HaSeul, Kim Lip, Jinsoul, and Choerry announced the formation of ARTMS, a five-member girl group under MODHAUS, marking a fresh start focused on artistic reinvention.[21]ARTMS made their debut with the full-length album Dall on May 31, 2024, featuring the title track "Virtual Angel" and preceded by the single "Birth" in March.[22] The group embarked on their first world tour, Moonshot, starting in Seoul on July 20, 2024, and spanning Asia, North America, Europe, and Australia through November.[23] In 2025, ARTMS released the mini-album Club Icarus on June 13 and launched the Grand Club Icarus world tour, including a North American leg that began in Baltimore on November 6 and featured a sold-out show in Toronto on November 10.[24] The group also received nominations at the 32nd Hanteo Music Awards in 2024, ultimately winning the Emerging Artist Award in February 2025.[25]Amid group promotions, Heejin engaged in solo endeavors, including a pictorial for 1st Look magazine in June 2023 that highlighted her elegant style.[26] She contributed vocals to key ARTMS tracks, such as those on Dall and Club Icarus, blending her signature tone with the group's experimental sound. On November 13, 2025, Heejin released her second solo digital single "sAvioR," a rock-influenced track exploring themes of obsession, self-discovery, and personal growth, accompanied by teasers emphasizing empowerment.[27]
Discography
Extended plays
Heejin released her debut solo extended play, titled , on October 31, 2023, through Modhaus.[28] This mini-album marked her first multi-track solo release in seven years, following her 2016 single album debut, and consists of six tracks led by the title track "Algorithm."[29] The EP was made available in physical CD formats (versions A and B) as well as digital download and streaming.[30] debuted at number 14 on the Circle Album Chart for the tracking week of October 29 to November 4, 2023, with 15,764 copies sold.[31] Cumulative sales reached 21,250 copies by the end of November 2023, according to Circle Chart data.[32] As of November 2025, this remains Heejin's sole solo extended play release.
Track listing
The standard edition of contains the following tracks:
Heejin's lead singles encompass her pre-debut introduction and her recent solo work under ARTMS. Her debut single, "ViViD", marked the start of LOONA's innovative "Girl of the Month" project, showcasing her as the group's first revealed member. Released on October 5, 2016, the track blends electro swing and dance-pop elements, narrating a journey of discovering vibrant self-expression in a monochromatic world.[34] As a pre-debut release, it did not chart on the Gaon Digital Chart but gained traction through its accompanying music video and the broader LOONA rollout, building anticipation for the group's formation.[34]Following LOONA's hiatus and her transition to ARTMS, Heejin released her latest solo single "sAvioR" on November 13, 2025, via MODHAUS. This rock-oriented digital single delves into themes of obsession, resilience, and self-rescue, highlighting her artistic evolution with introspective lyrics and dynamic production.[27] Chart performance on the Circle Digital Chart remains pending as of November 19, 2025, with no certifications reported yet. Promotions include fan engagements and music video unveilings to connect with supporters, emphasizing her independent path post-LOONA.[27]
Soundtrack appearances
HeeJin has contributed to several television drama soundtracks, primarily as part of collaborative tracks that highlight her vocal style in pop and R&B genres. Her soundtrack work often features dynamic duets or partnerships, blending her bright tone with complementary artists to suit dramatic narratives.In 2022, HeeJin collaborated with fellow LOONA member JinSoul on "Masquerade," the fourth part of the original television soundtrack for the MBC drama Tracer. Released on January 21, the track is an energetic pop song with electronic elements, capturing themes of deception and allure that align with the series' espionageplot. The song debuted at number 18 on the worldwide iTunessong chart upon release.[35]More recently, in 2025, HeeJin teamed up with singer Chan for "love me too," featured as the third part of the soundtrack for the KBS2 dramaKickKickKickKick. Released on February 19, the acoustic pop-R&B track emphasizes romantic tension through its upbeat guitar riffs and harmonious vocals, complementing the series' lighthearted comedy elements. No major chart performance has been reported as of November 2025, though it received promotional live performances tied to the drama's airing.
Acoustic pop-R&B; promotional stages during drama broadcast.[36]
Filmography
Television shows
Heejin first gained visibility on television through her participation in the survival program Mix Nine, which aired on Mnet from October 29, 2017, to January 26, 2018. As a trainee from BlockBerry Creative, she competed alongside other aspiring idols in challenges focused on performance, teamwork, and popularity votes, ultimately securing 4th place in the final female rankings out of 36 contestants.[37]During LOONA's promotional activities from 2018 to 2021, Heejin appeared on several variety and music programs to showcase the group's music and dynamics. On Weekly Idol (MBC Every1), she featured in episode 430 on October 23, 2019, joining Kei of Lovelyz and Siyeon of Dreamcatcher for segments including cover performances and idol challenges that highlighted her dance skills.[38] The group LOONA, including Heejin, returned for episode 449 on March 4, 2020, promoting their single "So What" through energetic dance routines and random play dance segments that emphasized their synchronized choreography.[39]Heejin also guested on IDOL ROOM (JTBC) in episode 28 on November 20, 2018, with LOONA, where they participated in fun interviews, game challenges, and live performances to introduce their group concept.[40] Additionally, she appeared on Knowing Bros (JTBC) in episode 226 on April 11, 2020, as part of LOONA, engaging in comedic skits and school-themed games that allowed members to share personal stories and talents.She participated as a regular member in the 2024 Idol Star Athletics Championships Chuseok Special (SBS, 3 episodes), competing in athletic events alongside fellow idols.[41] For music programs, Heejin made appearances on Music Bank (KBS2) in 2025, performing ARTMS's "Icarus" on June 13, 2025, contributing to live stage performances and fan interactions.[42]
Web series
Heejin made her acting debut in web series with the 2017 Korean drama First Love Story (also known as Woomanna), portraying the lead role of Jun Hee-jin, a 21-year-old music major dealing with romantic uncertainties and friendships in a campus setting.[43] The series, produced by Blockberry Creative, aired its pilot and first season from June to July 2017, with Heejin alongside fellow LOONA members Hyunjin and Haseul as central characters exploring themes of young love and personal growth.[41]She reprised her role as a main character in First Love Story season 2, which ran from August to September 2017, continuing the narrative of interpersonal dynamics among college students. Heejin made a guest appearance in season 3 in 2018, offering advice on breakups to newer characters.[44] The series, available on platforms like YouTube, earned solid viewer feedback, averaging ratings of 7.2 to 7.3 out of 10 on MyDramaList based on user reviews praising its lighthearted romance and relatable portrayals.[41]In 2023, Heejin took on the female lead role of Sarang in season 3 of the promotional web drama Convenience Store Baejjangie (Pyeonui Jeom Baejjangi), a short-form series centered on everyday encounters at a convenience store.[45] Released on YouTube by the CU convenience store brand, the 15-episode arc highlighted her character's interactions with customers and staff, blending humor and slice-of-life elements.[46] Heejin noted in an interview that the project allowed her to balance acting with her music career while enjoying the collaborative process.[45]In 2024–2025, Heejin served as the main host of the web variety series Power Blog Girl (10 episodes), collaborating with other idols on content creation and lifestyle challenges as a beginner blogger exploring topics like hotspots and restaurants.[47]
Videography
Music videos
Heejin's music video career began with her pre-debut solo release as part of the LOONA project, emphasizing high-production visuals to introduce her character and the group's lore. The pre-debut phase involved substantial investment, with the overall LOONA project costing approximately ₩10 billion (around $8.4 million USD at the time), including overseas filming for individual member videos to create immersive, narrative-driven concepts.[48]"ViViD," released on October 5, 2016, served as Heejin's introductory single and music video, directed by Jo Beom-jin in collaboration with VM Project and filmed in Seoul, South Korea. The video features an urban danceconcept, portraying Heejin navigating a monotonous world that transforms into a vibrant, colorful landscape upon encountering love, symbolized through dynamic choreography and vivid lighting effects.[49][15]"Algorithm," released on October 31, 2023, as the lead single from her mini-album K, was directed by Helloideo and filmed with a blend of traditional Korean hanok settings and futuristic digital elements. The video pays tribute to Korean culture through imagery like hanbok-inspired costumes and ink wash paintings, while exploring themes of algorithmic control and human emotion in a cybernetic narrative.[3][50]In 2025, Heejin released her second solo digital single "" on November 13, following teaser images in early November that highlighted ethereal, shadowed aesthetics. The Official Track Video, released on the same day, explores a saviormotif through a grunge rock lens, depicting Heejin's introspection after personal downfall, blending intense emotional narratives with obsessive love themes to symbolize rediscovering inner light. Production drew from her ARTMS activities, maintaining the high conceptual depth of her LOONA-era visuals without specified director details in initial announcements.[51][52][53]
Music video appearances
Heejin has appeared in several music videos as part of LOONA's interconnected "Loonaverse" storyline, where earlier members often cameo in later solo releases to build narrative continuity, as well as in external projects like survival shows. These appearances highlight her role in establishing the group's visual and thematic universe during the pre-debut phase from 2016 to 2018, with additional cameos in later subunit activities.In the original film version of Hyunjin's solo debut music video "Around You," released on November 10, 2016, Heejin makes a brief cameo at the end, linking her character from the prior "ViViD" video to Hyunjin's story of longing and reunion. This 10-minute cinematic short sets a precedent for cross-member integrations in LOONA's MVs.[54]Heejin next featured in ViVi's "Everyday I Love You (feat. HaSeul)" music video on April 17, 2017, appearing alongside fellow LOONA members Hyunjin, HaSeul, and YeoJin in scenes that restore ViVi's human memories within a 90s-inspired android narrative. The video emphasizes group cohesion through these shared appearances.[55]As a contestant on YG Entertainment's survival program MIXNINE, Heejin participated in the female version of the show's theme song music video "Just Dance (prod. by Teddy)," released on November 19, 2017. Produced by Teddy Park, the upbeat track showcases the female trainees, including Heejin, in synchronized choreography to promote the program.[56]Heejin's final notable appearance during LOONA's pre-debut era came in Olivia Hye's "Egoist (feat. JinSoul)" music video on March 29, 2018, where she portrays a symbolic figure in the closing scenes, representing self-love and closure in the Loonaverse arc. This cameo ties back to her introductory role, completing the 12-member cycle.[57]In 2020, Heejin made a brief cameo in the music video for LOONA's ODD EYE CIRCLE subunit track "Air Force One," appearing in transitional scenes to connect the subunit's narrative to the broader LOONA storyline.[11]Since forming ARTMS in 2023, Heejin has focused primarily on group and solo releases without documented cameos in other artists' music videos as of November 2025.