Girl group 4Minute alum and actress Nam Ji-hyun (36) recalled the shocking past when, as a rookie, she was verbally abused on a drama set by a director who called her a "ugly X," and foreign media also reported on it.
On the 4th (local time) the Daily Mail reported, "Nam Ji-hyun recently appeared on the YouTube channel "Hwang Bo-ra's Boravity" and revealed a heartbreaking anecdote she experienced when she first stepped into acting while active with 4Minute," saying it covered the story.
This revelation by Nam Ji-hyun shocked the public. Foreign media also reported it, showing interest in K-pop stars.
Nam Ji-hyun said on the broadcast, "It was when I was active with 4Minute and filming my first drama," and added, "At the time the camera director shouted, 'Hey, ugly X! Come forward,'" which horrified listeners.
More surprising was Nam Ji-hyun's reaction at the time. She said, "Thinking I should endure it with positive energy, I replied in a bright voice, 'Yes, ugly X, I'm coming out!'" Then the director sneered, "Ha ha, look at this X?" responding in a way that suggested the set's coercive atmosphere.
The director later apologized to Nam Ji-hyun, but the reason for the apology was absurd. Nam Ji-hyun added bitterly, "The director later came and apologized, saying he didn't know I was a member of 4Minute. He said he thought I was just a rookie actor and did it to try to break my spirit (to test me)."
Debuting in 2009 with 4Minute's "Hot Issue" and leaving behind many hit songs such as "What's Your Name?" and "What Are You Doing Today?," Nam Ji-hyun switched to acting after the group's breakup and appeared in numerous dramas and films. Recently, she transformed into a pilates instructor, running her own studio and living a second life.
Meanwhile, the report also reexamined news of health problems of former 4Minute colleague HyunA. HyunA collapsed during her performance at the Macau Waterbom festival last year, frightening fans. At the time it was reported that extreme dieting, such as losing 10kg in a month, had turned on warning signs for her health, raising concerns about idols' harsh appearance management practices.
Netizens are sending voices of support over Nam Ji-hyun's confession that she had to endure verbal abuse as a "rookie" behind the glamorous stage, saying "The director's attitude is so rude" and "Nam Ji-hyun was great for responding confidently."
[Photo] OSEN DB, video capture
[OSEN]