Baby V.O.X Members Lee Hee-jin and Shim Eun-jin Share Their Unexpected Journeys to Stardom

Lee Hee-jin and Shim Eun-jin of Baby V.O.X recently opened up about their pre-debut experiences.

On comedian Kim Dae-hee's YouTube channel 'Kkondaehee,' a video titled 'A Hearty Meal with the Original Girl Crush, Baby V.O.X, Over Spicy Crab Soup' was uploaded.

In the video, Shim Eun-jin shared, "I didn't have any special dreams when I was young. My dream was whatever my parents wanted, like becoming a teacher, doctor, or nurse," she laughed. However, an unexpected opportunity led her to a career in music.

Shim Eun-jin recalled, "A close friend from middle school joined an entertainment agency when he became a high school student. One day, he invited me over for a meal, and since he was like a brother to me, I visited the company." She continued, "There, composers started asking me to sing, dance, and share my future aspirations. I couldn't refuse, and before I knew it, I was part of a group being formed."

Reflecting on her trainee days, Shim Eun-jin said, "I was the worst dancer, so I was trained in footwork. While other members were doing head spins and windmills, I was dancing with pain relief spray and bandages, even when injured."

She added, "It was so tough that all five members I trained with ran away." Her mother was concerned, saying, "She was a child who used to draw, but she spent a year like this and gave up on studying."

A few months later, a producer who had noticed Shim Eun-jin contacted her. She said, "He told my mom, 'I'm forming Baby V.O.X and want Shim Eun-jin to join.' My mom thought I had already given up on studying after a year of training, so she said, 'Give it a try.'"

Shim Eun-jin laughed as she recalled, "For a week, they only made me practice, so I said, 'If the members don't show up, I'm leaving.' Suddenly, the Baby V.O.X members appeared." She added, "I later heard that the CEO saw me practicing with injuries and said, 'She'll survive even in the desert alone,' so I joined without an audition."

Lee Hee-jin shared, "I never thought about becoming a celebrity. My dream was to live a normal life and get married early." However, she was street-cast during her senior year of high school. Lee Hee-jin explained, "I was waiting for friends at a parking lot in Dongdaemun when someone called me over. Inside a van was Yoon Jung-soo, and it turned out to be singer Yangpa's van. Yangpa's manager asked about me and called me over."

Lee Hee-jin continued, "After receiving a business card, I contacted them, and they said, 'We're forming a group of five girls, and we'd like you to be one of them.' I sang at a karaoke, and the Baby V.O.X CEO said, 'Start practicing from tomorrow.'" She added, "When I got home, a senior from school, who was Lee Soo-man's niece, called and said, 'My uncle wants to meet you,' which was for S.E.S."

Shim Eun-jin laughed, "You almost became part of S.E.S." Lee Hee-jin said, "I was torn between Baby V.O.X and S.E.S. companies, but I innocently said, 'I already auditioned and was told to start practicing, so I can't meet Lee Soo-man. I'm sorry,' and declined."

Lee Hee-jin concluded, "That's how I joined Baby V.O.X. Do I regret it? Not at all." The conversation also touched on appearances. Lee Hee-jin said, "I wasn't considered pretty back then," but Shim Eun-jin revealed, "You said you were one of the top beauties in Jongno-gu." Lee Hee-jin corrected, "I was one of the top three," explaining, "I wasn't ugly; I had a small face, was tall, had long arms and legs, and a pure appearance."

Reporter Chaeryeong Lim, TenAsia syjj426@tenasia.co.kr