Following their 2018 disbandment, the four members of BESTie successfully pivoted from K-pop idols to distinct paths in the South Korean entertainment industry. While some found new success in musical theatre and acting, others revitalized their careers through solo music, traditional trot, and reality television. Here is a look at where BESTie members are today.
1. Kang Hye-yeon
Since leaving BESTie in 2018, Kang Hye-yeon rebranded herself as a trot singer under Star Entertainment, debuting with the mini album Great (2018) and releasing albums like 강혜연 만고땡 (2020) and Sunday Hyeyeon (2021), along with singles such as “천치 바보야” (2022) and “혜성” (2023). She gained major recognition as a breakout contestant on Miss Trot 2 (2020–2021), earning the nickname “Trot Squirrel,” and continued appearing on survival shows like King of Veteran Singers (2023 & 2025). She also remains active as a festival performer, including events like the Eumseong Pumba Festival (2026), and has served as a regional ambassador in South Korea.
2. Ji
Since leaving BESTie in 2017, U.Ji has established herself as a leading musical theatre actress in South Korea, transitioning away from idol promotions to focus on stage performance. After signing with agencies including Curo Holdings (2017) and later World Star Entertainment (2021), she built a strong reputation through major productions such as Marie Antoinette (2021), Jekyll & Hyde (2021–2022), The Rose of Versailles (2024), Crash Landing on You (2024–2025), Frida (2025), and Frozen (2026). Alongside her stage career, she showcased her vocal ability on television through appearances on Sing Again 2 (2021–2022) and Immortal Songs (2019), further highlighting her reputation as a powerhouse vocalist. She has also contributed to multiple drama OSTs and held her first solo fan meeting in 2022, strengthening her presence as a respected musical theatre lead and vocalist.
3. Dahye
Since leaving BESTie in 2017, Song Da-hye has built a diverse career spanning solo music, fitness, content creation, and reality television. She signed with World Star Entertainment in 2020 and made her solo debut with the remake single “Poison,” later releasing tracks such as “Bad Blood” (2020), “The First Ending” (2024), and “Cherry Road” (2025), alongside her mini-album Prologue at the End (2025). Her popularity surged after appearing on TVING’s EXchange 3 (2024), where she gained widespread attention for revealing a long-term, on-and-off relationship with her ex-boyfriend, later rekindling their romance after the show. Outside of music, she is a certified yoga instructor, author of BESTie Dahye’s Whole Body Yoga, and an active content creator through her YouTube channel, while also expanding into variety programs and cultural collaborations.
4. Hae-ryung
Since BESTie’s disbandment, Na Hae-ryung has fully transitioned away from idol activities and re-established herself as an actress under the new stage name Han Da Ra. In September 2023, she signed with OSR Entertainment and officially rebranded to mark a fresh start focused entirely on acting. She returned to television with a special appearance in *The Escape of the Seven* (2023), continuing a long-standing acting career that includes early child roles and supporting parts in dramas such as *Judge vs. Judge* (2017), *Clean with Passion for Now* (2019), and *My Lovely Girl* (2014). She has also appeared in films like *To Catch a Virgin Ghost* (2004) and *Nice Shorts* (2010), alongside numerous web and short-form dramas. Alongside acting, she remains active in fashion shoots, advertisements, and personal lifestyle content, maintaining her presence as a visual and actress in the Korean entertainment industry.
– Karen Mwenda
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