The icon of the ‘Rollin’ resurgence and the beloved ‘Kkobukjwa’ whose smile could brighten anyone’s day—this time, she’s set aside her familiar nickname. Stepping into the public eye with her real name, Nam Yu-jeong, she exchanges her microphone for the sharp blade of a fencing sword. Recently featured in the web variety show 'Kim Jun-ho’s Fencing Academy,' Nam Yu-jeong demonstrates what appears to be a significant first step toward rediscovering her true self after weathering a turbulent year.

The past year has been far from easy for her. She embarked on a fresh challenge under the name 'Brave Girls,' but eventually chose to leave the group and pursue a solo career. Her once-public and warmly supported relationship also quietly came to an end. As she reflected through her social media, “Life has never gone the way I wanted,” hinting at the hidden growing pains lying behind the dazzling spotlight.

It is especially meaningful that her comeback stage is not a glamorous set in high heels, but instead a sweat-soaked fencing gym. On the first episode of ‘Kim Jun-ho’s Fencing Academy,’ she revealed her honest reason for picking up the sport—dieting and building basic fitness—and candidly showed her struggles during the physically demanding tests, offering viewers plenty of laughter with her charming clumsiness. While she retained the friendly appeal of her ‘Kkobukjwa’ days, she was no longer a carefully crafted idol, but ‘the real Nam Yu-jeong’—unafraid to show vulnerability.

Through her agency, Nam Yu-jeong shared, “I’ve always lacked courage and have been timid, but I wanted to try doing something on my own,” expressing her sincere intentions for the challenge. Fencing, a sport that demands facing your opponent head-on, could symbolize her decision to confront the timid self that she used to hide behind the lovable mask of ‘Kkobukjwa.’ The fencing stance, ‘En Garde,’ marks her declaration of a new beginning.

While the show’s ultimate goal is to win a medal at an amateur tournament, Nam Yu-jeong emphasized, “It’s the act of taking on a challenge itself—not just the results—that matters most to me. I hope to enjoy every step of the journey.” In this new chapter, what she finds through sweat and perseverance may prove more valuable than any gold medal.

Moving beyond the image the public created for her as the adored ‘Kkobukjwa,’ Nam Yu-jeong is now authoring a new chapter as ‘the challenger Nam Yu-jeong.’ Watching her pour her heart into the training room, she radiates a beauty more dazzling than any stage performance.

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=Kim Jun-ho’s Fencing Academy, R&D Company