I’m Tired of Always Being Chosen”: Nam Ji-hyun Opens Up About Life After Idol Fame
Nam Ji-hyun, a former member of the girl group 4Minute, debuted in 2009 and was part of several hit songs like “Hot Issue,” “Mirror Mirror,” “What’s Your Name?” and “Crazy.” After the group disbanded in 2016, she transitioned into acting, appearing in dramas such as My Little Baby, The Strongest Deliveryman, and When the Devil Calls Your Name.
Recently, she surprised fans by opening her own Barre (ballet + Pilates) studio, sparking speculation that she was retiring from the entertainment industry. She quickly put those rumors to rest.
“I’ve been asked a lot if I’m retiring,” she wrote on social media. “But the answer is no.”
Nam explained that this new chapter isn’t about stepping away—it’s about taking back control. “I think I was just tired of always being chosen by others,” she shared. “To overcome that powerless feeling, I turned to exercise to build strength and take control.”
And this isn’t just an issue unique to actress Nam Ji-hyun. Her statement—“I’m tired of always being chosen as an actress” reasonates deeply with quiet frustrations of countless actors around the world. Many spend years attending hundreds of auditions, clinging to hope, only to end up with little to show for their efforts.
Wentworth Miller revealed that before Prison Break finally launched his career, he had gone to 400–500 auditions, securing only 10 or 11 minor roles. The process was exhausting, and each rejection slowly destroyed his self-worth.
Daniel Henney, a Korean-American actor active in both Korea and Hollywood, shared a similar struggle. Despite his talent and charisma, no directors were seeking him out. Instead, he was stuck in a cultural limbo—“too Asian” for many U.S. roles and “not Korean enough” for roles in Korea. He described casting as a constant uphill battle, where he was never quite what anyone was looking for.
Even now-famous names like Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) and Jon Hamm (Mad Men) endured long periods of obscurity. Cranston began acting in his 20s but didn’t achieve mainstream recognition until his 40s. Hamm, meanwhile, worked as a high school teacher and set dresser while attending auditions. He was repeatedly told he didn’t have the look of a leading man, finally landing his breakthrough role at age 36.
Mads Mikkelsen once remarked that the industry conditions actors to wait quietly. “You wait and wait, and they never choose you—until you make them choose you.”
That statement reflects a hard truth that talent alone often isn’t enough, you have to find ways to make yourself seen.
Jenna Fischer, best known for playing Pam on The Office, wrote in her memoir that she nearly gave up acting after eight years of rejection. It wasn’t until she landed her breakout role that everything changed. Similarly, Robert Pattinson, who later rose to global fame through Twilight, has said he seriously considered quitting due to lack of success early in his career.
This is the hidden reality behind the glamour: thousands of talented actors spend years—sometimes decades—in obscurity. Many earn little money, face chronic rejection, and battle self-doubt and insecurity. They often hear vague or hurtful rejections like, “You don’t look marketable,” “You’re too old,” “You’re too inexperienced,” or simply, “You don’t fit the look.”
And even for those who are chosen, there’s no guarantee of longevity. Acting jobs are often short-lived. Even great fame is fragile. Even successful careers can vanish overnight. That’s why many actors eventually seek to take control—by becoming writers, directors, or producers, or starting entirely new ventures where they can make their own choices.
Nam Ji-hyun’s decision to open a Barre studio is one such act of reclaiming agency. It’s not about stepping away from the spotlight—it’s about choosing herself. In an industry where so many are waiting to be picked, that choice is quietly radical.
That journey led her to Barre, which became a source of empowerment. “Barre gave me so much energy,” she said. “I wanted to share that strength and show how empowering it is to simply sweat and take control of yourself.”
Now as a Barre instructor, Nam has embraced her new role, guiding others through mindful movement. “After working out, I feel like I can live life on my own terms,” she said. “That’s why the studio’s motto is: ‘Lead your life.’ I believe sincerity resonates. I want to share the energy to live independently and meaningfully.”
Now, she’s taking center stage in a new way—this time, entirely on her own terms.