Hanni, a member of the group EXID and an actress, has faced the pain of having her wedding postponed indefinitely due to a patient death incident at the hospital of Yang Jae-woong, a psychiatrist she promised to marry, and has suspended her domestic activities. In the meantime, she has practiced mindfulness through yoga and completed a leadership program, opening a new chapter in her life as a "yoga instructor."
Hanni was supposed to marry Yang Jae-woong, a psychiatrist, in September 2024, after acknowledging their relationship in 2022. However, just a few months before the wedding, plans were derailed when a patient death incident occurred at the hospital operated by Yang Jae-woong. His belated apology only drew public outrage, and some netizens turned their criticism toward Hanni, arguing she could not have been unaware of this.
Choosing silence, Hanni voluntarily withdrew from a variety show she was scheduled to appear on, and since July of last year, she had to halt all her domestic activities. By deciding to postpone her wedding indefinitely, she painfully realized that life does not always go as planned.
In a situation where things were becoming more challenging, Hanni turned to meditation and often engaged in temple stays, dedicating herself to inner exploration. Yoga, in particular, brought significant changes to her life. Hanni stated, "While my body changed through yoga, the more significant change was in my mind."
Through yoga, Hanni explained, "Little by little, slowly I learned how to be kind to myself, how to stand, where I feel uncomfortable, where my body is right now... Yoga was a time for me to become aware, and I gradually learned how to accept myself as I am." As a result of her continued practice, Hanni completed her yoga instructor training and announced a new start as a yoga instructor.
Emerging about a year after halting her domestic activities, Hanni appeared on MBN's "Oh Eun-young Stay" to talk about her changes. Appearing in a noticeably different fashion than the familiar face known to the public, Hanni remarked, "It was a choice to let everything go," adding, "I started my career too early. When the contract ended, I realized that I did not know the world and that I had lived like a frog in a well. I couldn't even answer who I really am." Dr. Oh Eun-young conveyed the message: "I am always just me, and I won't be damaged by others' standards and evaluations. Express your feelings as you feel them and judge and act based on your thoughts as long as it's not wrong or harmful," which inspired Hanni to try to "have the courage to be disliked" and gave her a sense of "the small worries and doubts fading away."
Having experienced the trial of her wedding to her beloved being postponed indefinitely and impact on her career, Hanni shared the inner peace and honest confessions she gained through yoga. What will be the next step for Hanni, who seems to have found her true self?
[OSEN]