From leaving Vietnam for Korea to failing to get a spot in ENHYPEN, Hanbin talked about his struggles prior to debuting - finally - as a member of the rookie boy group TEMPEST.
Meet TEMPEST Hanbin, the first Vietnamese K-pop Male Idol in Korea
On March 2, an online showcase was held to commemorate the release of TEMPEST's debut album "It's ME, It's WE," and its title track, "Bad News."
During the showcase, members Hanbin, Hyeongseop, Hyuk, Eunchan, LEW, Hwarang, and Taerae drew attention for their high energy and impeccable skills, showing their goal to arise as one of the top boy groups in the K-pop scene.
Among members, Hanbin particularly attracted attention as he is the first Vietnamese to debut as K-pop male idol.
During the showcase, the press couldn't help but ask questions about the challenges he faced before finally reaching his dream to become an idol.
In particular, Hanbin (Ngô Ngọc Hưng) is a 98-liner idol from Hà Nội, Vietnam.
At a young age, the rookie developed love for singing and dancing, eventually becoming the founder and leader of a Vietnamese dance crew, C.A.C.
He particularly showed great interest in K-pop, even winning the title "Best Player" during a K-pop Random Dance in Public in 2018 in Hanoi.
ALSO READ: Where are the Eliminated 'I-LAND' Contestants Now? The Belift Lab Trainees Who Didn't Debut in ENHYPEN
Since then, Hanbin decided to come to Korea, after a successful application for Mnet x HYBE's survival show, "I-Land" in 2020. In the show, he established a stable fandom, praising him for his incredible dance skills and various charms.
Sadly, he wasn't able to make it in the final lineup of ENHYPEN, earning regrets from K-pop enthusiasts.
While he initially stayed in BELIFT Lab, the agency of the group, and even conducted his solo online fan meet, Hanbin decided to pursue his career under a new nest and announced a transfer to Yuehua Entertainment last year.
"I came to Korea to achieve my dream and experienced a lot through broadcasting," he said during the showcase.
TEMPEST Hanbin Says Debut in Korea as Vietnamese Idol is Not That 'Hard', Thanks to Friends, Family & Fans
When asked if his debut process as a trainee coming from Vietnam to Korea, Hanbin showed love to his supporters and friends as he responded,
"It's difficult, but it wasn't that hard. I'm just happy to say 'hello' as TEMPEST Hanbin. I always think positively, so let's work hard today. I thought 'Let's have fun.' It wasn't hard because my friends next to me helped me a lot. That's such a relief. TEMPEST will all dream and work hard, he said.
In addition to this, Hanbin also revealed the strong support he gets from his family in Vietnam.
He shared, "I will work hard to become a proud being to my family and everyone who supports me from afar."
In regards to "I-Land" trainees, Hanbin further hinted at his strong friendship with them, apparently with ENHYPEN members as well.
"Friends who came out on the same program cheered a lot. We talked to each other and cheered for each other everywhere. Thank you so much and I think it will be amazing and happy to meet you on stage or in music shows in the future. I'm happy to debut as TEMPEST," he stressed.
READ MORE: Yuehua Entertainment's New Boy Group TEMPEST Announces Debut Date and Reveals Trailers
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Written by Eunice Dawson
