Haerin to announce shock retirement from music?

Sad news for Kang fans. Speculation had been rife that NewJeans singer is about to announce her retirement from music, at age 20, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 20/05/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a singer isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a singer just isn't fun anymore,” she might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that she may branch out into other creative fields she is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouHae-rin

For a little while on Tuesday evening, #ThankYouHae-rin was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made her make the decision.

“Haerin was unlike any other singer we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouHae-rin”
— @universalObserver, 19 May 2026

“Kang wasn't retired?”
— @borisB0, 19 May 2026

© 2026 MediaMass All rights reserved. Do not reproduce (even with permission).

Celebrity Central