Kang Hye-won (Korean: 강혜원; born July 5, 1999), known mononymously as Hyewon, is a South Korean actress and singer. She is a former member of the South Korean–Japanese girl group Iz*One, formed by CJ E&M through Mnet's 2018 reality competition television show Produce 48.
Kang was announced to be a part of Produce 48 in 2018.[2] She finished in 8th place with 248,432 votes securing her place in Iz*One.[3] The group made their official debut on October 29, 2018, with the song titled "La Vie en Rose", from their debut extended play Color*Iz.[4]
2021–2022: Solo activities, W, and acting debut
After Iz*One officially concluded activities on April 29, 2021, Kang returned to being a trainee under 8D Creative. On July 21, it was announced that Kang would be making her debut as an actress in the upcoming third season of web series Best Mistake, portraying character Jin Se-hee.[5] On July 27, she made an appearance in Parc Jae-jung's "Hobby" music video.[6] In August, Kang was confirmed as a cast member of MBC's variety show How A Family is Made.[7]
On December 8, a teaser video was revealed on her YouTube channel, announcing the upcoming release of a winter special album, W.[8] On December 22, she released the album with "Winter Poem" as the lead single.[9]
On June 9, 2022, Kang released the single "Like A Diamond", featuring Stella Jang.[10]
On July 6, Playlist Studio announced Kang as one of the casts in Seasons of Blossom a webdrama adaptation of webtoon of the same name. Kang will potrayed the role of Yoon Bo-mi.[11]
2023–present: Rising popularity
In August 2023, it was revealed that Kang starred in a Coupang Play series Boyhood which aired on November 24, 2023.[12]Boyhood became a hit in South Korea, experiencing viewers increase during its airing, it stayed within Top 10 most watched OTT Drama until its finale. A total of 2,914% viewers increase during the finale compared to the first week was recorded.[13] As a result of Boyhood's popularity and success, the Entertainment Industry Insiders mentioned Kang as one of the 2024 Rising Actress to Look Forward to.[14]
Endorsements
On November 12, 2021, Kang landed her first CF deal with the camera app SODA, it was revealed through a video advertisement uploaded on SODA's official YouTube Channel. Kang starred as international face phishing criminal who pretended to be a detective and used the SODA app to altered her image.[15] On December 24, through atstar1 magazine, the global sports brand New Balance announced Kang as their pictorial model for their new Backpack with the theme "MBTI Concept New Semester Backpack".[16]
On January 13, 2022, through her own YouTube channel, Kang announced collaboration with a skincare line, Uriid, where Kang is in charge of the promotional design to promote their new product, Uriid Neroli Garden Ampoule Stick.[17] According to Uriid, after the promotional video with Kang was released on her YouTube channel, the product is selling high on social media and online store, particularly in Hyundai Home Shopping.[18] On March 30, Kang collaborated with Onitsuka Tiger Korea to promote their shoes collection by releasing fashion pictorial through Elle Korea.[19] On May 30, Kang was chosen by the British premium bag brand, Radley London, to promote their new 2022 Spring/Summer Collection, Forest Way-Smoking (medium zip-top multi-way bag espresso), and Duke Place (medium open-top multi-way bag dark blue) bags by releasing pictorial through atstar1 magazine with the theme 'Fun-Loving London.'[20] On June 8, a South Korean clothing brand, General Idea, announced Kang as their new muse and fashion brand model for their 2022 Summer Collection with the theme 'Bloomy Sunday'.[21] Kang continued working with General Idea as their muse for their '22FW Woman Part.2 Collection' by dropping new pictorials on September 13.[22] On June 27, Nexon announced Kang as their advertising model for their online game Mabinogi.[23] On July 18, Kang announced collaboration with LEGO to promote their three-dimensional reproduction of Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night by releasing pictorial with the piece through Elle Korea.[24] On October 6, ma:nyo, a Korean cosmetic brand, announced Kang Hyewon as their new Ambassador for their lipstick collection, NO MERCY Spell Mood Stick, and for their skincare collection, V.collagen Heart Fit.[25]
On January 9, 2023, ROEM, a Korean clothing company, announced Kang as their 2023 Spring/Summer season campaign model by releasing pictorial for their "Wonder the New Romantic" of the "2023 Pre-Spring Collection" with Kang.[26] Kang continued working for Roem throughout half of 2023. On February 6, Roem released a new tweed collection with Kang called "A Tweed Wonder". On March 27 Roem announced another collaboration with Kang for their Spring/Summer collection, "My Own Romantic Finds".[27] On July 10, 2023, Roem released a new collaboration with Kang, "Fill Yourself", for their Fall collection. Their collaboration with Kang created a new slogan for Roem, "Romantic Is Everywhere". It is reported that after choosing Kang as their muse, who represents Gen Z, Roem sales increased by 30%.[28] On March 2, 2023, Nexon announced Kang as their special character for their game Sudden Attack.[29]
On February 8, 2024, through Vogue Korea the Korean sport fashion brand, MLB, announced Kang as their pictorial model for their Varsity spring collection with the theme "Work Out Balance".[30][31] On April 12, 2024, Vaseline Korea announced on their Instagram that Kang has become the model for their Lip Therapy product.[32] On April 30, Unilever Korea announced Kang as the official 24th brand ambassador of Vaseline Korea for their Lip Therapy campaign.[33] On May 22, 2024 through Elle Korea, Kang was announced as Narciso Rodriguez Korea's pictorial model for their summer perfume collection.[34]
^"First Love Letter" did not enter Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked at position 188 on component Download Chart.[38]
^"Winter Poem" did not enter Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked at position 66 on component Download Chart.[38]
^"Like A Diamond" did not enter Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked at position 150 on component Download Chart.[39]
^"Snowy Day" did not enter Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked at position 182 on component Download Chart.[38]
References
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^Hong Seung-han (October 29, 2018). "'프듀48' 아이즈원 공식 데뷔, 아이오아이->워너원 이어 꽃길 걸을까[SS이슈]" ['Produce 48' IZ*ONE Official Debut, IOI->Wanna One Follow the Flower Road [SS Issue]] (in Korean). Sports Seoul. Archived from the original on September 6, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2021 – via Naver.
^Lee Min-ji (July 21, 2021). "[단독]아이즈원 강혜원-CIX 현석, 배우 변신 ... 웹드 '일진에게 ...' 출연" [[Exclusive] IZ*ONE Kang Hye-won and CIX Hyun-suk, transforming into actors ...' appearance] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on September 4, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2021 – via Naver.
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^ abPark Seo-hyun (August 26, 2021). ""벌써 한 식구 된 느낌" ... '우리 식구 됐어요', K팝 1세대→4세대 통합의 장[종합]" ["It feels like we've already become a family" ... 'We've become a family', K-pop 1st generation → 4th generation integration [comprehensive]] (in Korean). Herald POP. Archived from the original on September 6, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2021 – via Naver.
^Jo, Hye-jin (December 8, 2021). "강혜원, 아이즈원 활동 때와는 다른 감성 보이스...스페셜 앨범 발매" [Kang Hye-won, a different emotional voice than during IZ*ONE's promotions. The release of a special album.]. X Sports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 9, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
^Kim, Ye-na (December 22, 2021). "강혜원, 윈터 스페셜 앨범 'W' 오늘(22일) 발표...특별한 겨울 인사" [Kang Hye-won, winter special album "W" was released today (22nd). Special winter greeting.]. Xports News (in Korean). Retrieved December 23, 2021.
^Sun, Mi-kyung (May 23, 2022). "강혜원, 스텔라장 만났다..'라이크 어 다이아몬드' 티저 공개" [Kang Hyewon met Stella Jang.. 'Like a Diamond' teaser released]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 22, 2022. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
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^"[신년기획] 이정하→고윤정, 연예계 관계자가 뽑은 '2024 기대되는 라이징 배우'" [[New Year's Special] Lee Jeong-ha→Go Yoon-jung, '2024 Rising Actors to Look Forward to' Chosen by Entertainment Industry Insiders]. Celuv Media (in Korean). January 3, 2024. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
^"넥슨, '서든어택' 권은비-강혜원 캐릭터 출시". Daily eSports (in Korean). March 2, 2023. Archived from the original on August 31, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
^"강혜원, 힙한 바시티 화보 공개 "팔색조 매력" [화보]" [Kang Hye-won, Reveals Hip Varsity Photo Shoot "Colorful Charm" [Photo Shoot]]. The Women Times (in Korean). February 8, 2024. Archived from the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
^"강혜원, 유니레버 바세린 앰버서더로... 립테라피 광고 캠페인에" [Kang Hye-won becomes the Vaseline ambassador for Unilever... in the Lip Therapy advertising campaign.]. Korea Duty Free News (in Korean). April 30, 2024. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
^"강혜원, 나르시소 로드리게즈 향수와 다양한 무드 연출" [Hyewon Kang, Narciso Rodriguez perfume and various mood productions]. Korea Duty Free News (in Korean). May 22, 2024.
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^2022년 01월 Album Chart [January 2022 Album Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 10, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
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^"'플레이어2' PD "기안84→이수혁 특별출연, 인맥에 읍소...깜짝 놀랄 사람 더 많아"" ['Player 2' PD "Kian 84 → Lee Soo-hyuk makes a special appearance, I'm in a relationship... There are more people who will be surprised."]. SPOTVnews (in Korean). May 28, 2024. Archived from the original on May 28, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
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^Kim, Seong-hyeok (April 30, 2022). "아이돌LIVE 관련 캐시워크 돈버는퀴즈 정답 업데이트". jejutw (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 26, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
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