NewJeans’ Hyein Breaks Hearts With Emotional Acceptance Speech At The “11th E Daily Culture Awards”

On October 25, 2024 (KST), Korean press E DAILY hosted the 11th “E DAILY CULTURE AWARDS,” where NewJeans took home a special prize celebrating artists contributing to the performance arts.

NewJeans | E Daily

Actor Song Seung Heon introduced the “Frontier Prize” ahead of presenting as “a prize given to artists who showed a pioneering spirit with endeavors pushing the limits.”

The five-member group NewJeans, which debuted in 2022, has not only caused a stir with every song they release but has also had a significant impact on the cultural music industry, presenting a new paradigm for K-Pop. We sincerely congratulate NewJeans on successfully signaling a generational shift in K-Pop girl groups.

— E DAILY

NewJeans members were full of their usual bright personalities as they headed onto the stage to accept the speech. When the presenters announced that Minji would be giving the acceptance speech, though, Minji passed the mic to Hyein, saying she “prepared well” for this moment.

Hyein was a bit flustered, especially when she realized she had forgotten the group greeting…

Minji: Our Hyein prepared well for this speech, so I’ll let her have the mic.

Hyein: Oh, I’m not that prepared but… first of all, thank you for giving us such a special award at such a special place. Oh… Should we do the group greeting first? Sorry!

…but soon enough, she composed herself and began giving her speech.

Doing this work, I realized, ‘Wow. There are such good people out there.’ And, personally speaking, I think this work is only possible with the help of a lot of people around us. So, I’m incredibly grateful to have all the good people, including Bunnies, around me as I make one memory after another. This work I do is so special.

— Hyein

Given the recent series of events and challenges that NewJeans faced amid the ongoing feud between Min Hee Jin and HYBE, Hyein quickly got emotional while talking about “recent” events.

혜인이가 수상소감하는데 중간에 울컥해하니까.. 언니들이 다 모여서 달래주고.. 민지도 맨끝에 있다가 옆으로 가서 도와줄까? 하는데 진짜 눈물나와 pic.twitter.com/7m2qGiq40r

— 밍곰 (@Minggom_16) October 25, 2024

Hyein: But recently, I learned that it’s… not always possible to keep having these special moments… I’m so sorry for crying again!

Minji: Do you want me to help? You got this?

Hyein: It’s such a blessing to be able to do what we like in front of the people who love us… I don’t know why I keep crying! Anyway, the five of us had no idea we’d come together like this. But we did and we’re now so special to one another. And we try hard to keep putting out good performances. We’re thankful for the people who help us do what we want. We accept this special gift and we hope to continue making special music for a lot of people to enjoy on the daily. Thank you.

A clip from the award ceremony, showing fellow NewJeans members comforting Hyein and supporting her through the speech, went viral—as K-Pop fans flooded the girl group with words of encouragement.

| @EDAILYFRIENDS/YouTube

• “A fisherman must overcome fierce waves to become seasoned. The challenges that NewJeans face now will make them grow bigger and stronger. I have no doubt about it.”
• “NewJeans members are so talented. I have new found respect for E DAILY. Let’s go global, NewJeans!”
• “Congratulations to NCT 127 for the daesang win. And NewJeans is so cool. Congratulations!”
• “OT5 Bubble Gum is precious…”
• “I love NewJeans. And Park Geun Hyung’s acceptance speech was touching, too. Thank you all!”
• “NewJeans’ raw live was no different from their recordings. It’s clear the girls are super talented. I love them!”
• “Thank you, E DAILY. Congratulations, NewJeans!”

Watch the full ceremony here.