Hyein to announce shock retirement from music?

Sad news for Lee fans. Speculation had been rife that NewJeans singer is about to announce her retirement from music, at age 18, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 30/04/2026 : 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.

#ThankYouHye-in

For a little while on Wednesday evening, #ThankYouHye-in 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.

“Hyein was unlike any other singer we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouHye-in”
— @universalObserver, 29 Apr 2026

“Lee wasn't retired?”
— @borisB0, 29 Apr 2026

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