Kim Hyo-yeon, professionally known as Hyoyeon or DJ HYO, is a versatile South Korean singer-songwriter, rapper, and DJ signed under SM Entertainment. Born on September 22, 1989, in Incheon, South Korea, Hyoyeon’s journey into entertainment began at a young age when she auditioned successfully for SM Entertainment’s 2000 Casting System at just 11 years old.
Hyoyeon’s formal dance training commenced during elementary school, where she honed her skills in hip hop, jazz, and Latin dance at a local hip-hop school. Her prowess in dance was showcased early in her career when she worked as a silhouette dancer for BoA and collaborated with Janet Jackson before debuting with Girls’ Generation on August 5, 2007, with their iconic single “Into the New World.”
Beyond her contributions to Girls’ Generation, Hyoyeon embarked on a solo career, making her debut with the digital single “Mystery” in 2016. In 2018, she expanded her artistic repertoire by debuting as a DJ under the name HYO, releasing her first single “Sober.” As DJ HYO, she has continued to blend her talents in EDM and K-pop, releasing a series of successful digital singles and remixes.
Hyoyeon’s career highlights include her participation in Girls’ Generation-Oh!GG and her solo projects like the mini album “Deep” in 2022 and singles such as “Picture” in 2023, showcasing her evolution as an artist and DJ. With her dynamic stage presence and innovative musical style, Hyoyeon continues to captivate audiences globally, cementing her status as a trailblazer in both K-pop and EDM genres.