EXID’s Hani Addresses Private Life Questions at Drama Press Event

EXID member and actress Hani has addressed questions about her private life while appearing at a press event for her upcoming KBS2 drama Love on the Menu, choosing a cautious response that emphasized respect for the production and its staff.

The singer-actress, whose real name is Ahn Hee Yeon, attended the drama’s press conference on July 22, KST. The appearance drew attention not only because it marked a promotional step for a new acting project, but also because Hani has been the subject of public scrutiny linked to her fiance, psychiatrist Yang Jae Woong, and controversy surrounding a patient death at his clinic in 2024.

When asked directly about her relationship status, Hani did not provide a specific update. Instead, she acknowledged the public concern around her personal circumstances while making clear that she felt uneasy discussing private matters in a setting arranged to promote a television drama.

A careful answer at a professional event

Hani expressed regret for causing concern and said she was hesitant to talk about her personal life at the press conference. Her answer centered on the effort that the drama’s cast and crew had put into the project, with the actress saying her main hope was that outside attention would not harm that work.

That response was measured rather than revealing. She did not confirm whether her engagement remains unchanged, nor did she announce a separation or wedding plan. Her comments left the focus on boundaries: the event was meant to introduce a drama, and she appeared determined not to let questions about her relationship dominate the promotional agenda.

The pressure around the question comes from a controversy that has followed Yang since last year. Reports about the death of a patient at his clinic prompted significant criticism and public attention. The matter affected his professional standing and also placed Hani’s personal life under a level of scrutiny unusual even by celebrity standards.

Hani and Yang had previously been expected to marry, but the wedding was postponed indefinitely after the controversy grew. Since then, public discussion has repeatedly linked Hani’s career activities with questions about the relationship, making even routine entertainment appearances a likely setting for renewed speculation.

Drama comeback under scrutiny

At the press event, Hani also acknowledged the weight of returning with a new project under those circumstances. She said she felt pressure but described it as a burden she must carry, a comment that suggested awareness of the attention surrounding her comeback without shifting the press conference away from the drama itself.

Love on the Menu is being positioned as Hani’s next television role, and the press conference was intended to introduce the show’s cast, tone, and production. For actors who are also idols, these events often serve a dual purpose: they promote the project while also shaping the public narrative around a performer’s transition between music, television, and broader entertainment work.

Hani’s case is more complicated because the public questions are not about a typical dating rumor or comeback teaser. They involve a serious controversy connected to someone close to her, and the attention has continued long enough to become part of the context around her professional schedule. Her decision to avoid details may have reflected both legal caution and a desire to protect the drama from becoming secondary to private-life headlines.

The exchange also highlights a recurring challenge in Korean entertainment media. Press events depend on public interest, but artists and actors often face questions that move beyond the work being promoted. When a personal issue is already widely discussed, refusing to answer can fuel speculation, while answering too fully can overshadow colleagues and production staff who are present for the same project.

For now, Hani’s public position is restrained. She has apologized for causing concern, asked for understanding, and signaled that she wants the new drama judged on the effort behind it. Her relationship status remains unconfirmed in her own words, and her next steps will likely be watched closely as Love on the Menu continues its promotional rollout.

The press conference therefore became a test of how Hani would manage a sensitive return to public activities. Rather than offering a dramatic statement, she chose a limited answer that drew a line between professional obligations and private circumstances, even as public curiosity around both remains high.