NJZ’s Danielle Marsh In Her Element

From childhood singalongs to global stages, Danielle opens up on fashion, life beyond the spotlight, and the group’s new name change.

By Rohaizatul Azhar

Published: February 28, 2025

NJZ’s Danielle Marsh In Her Element — Jacket; dress, CELINE BY HEDI SLIMANE.

If tracks such as “Attention” and “Super Shy” have been on your playlist, then you’re already well acquainted with NewJeans. And as one‑fifth of the K‑pop powerhouse, Danielle Marsh is a familiar face. But now, the beat is changing. Enter NJZ—a bold rebrand that marks a fresh chapter for the group.

The name‑change announcement on Instagram this February sparked excitement, curiosity, and plenty of chatter. It also signals a new beginning, turning a rough period due to a legal dispute with the group’s former record label into something more exciting.

The quintet will make its debut as NJZ at the 2025 edition of the pop culture festival ComplexCon, which takes place in Hong Kong this month. Although details have been kept under wraps, news reports have indicated that the group will also be performing new music—news that has thrilled their fans. Giving a glimpse into how she’s embracing this next era of the group’s journey, Danielle shared in a previous interview: “It feels like a new beginning, and I’m excited for everything ahead.”

It’s a chilly winter morning in Seoul when we arrive on set for our cover shoot. A crew of 20—comprising our photographer, his assistant, lighting technicians, stylist assistants, and production assistants—bustle about, putting the final touches on set.

For a shoot like this, you usually know when the celebrity arrives—if you don’t see them, you hear them. And if you don’t hear them, you spot their entourage. Not so for Danielle. Donning a black beanie and a face mask, she slips into the studio quietly, accompanied by just one assistant. No grand entrance, no unnecessary fuss—just someone arriving to get the job done. She spots her hair and make‑up team, exchanges brief greetings, then makes her way to the dressing room with quiet efficiency.

When we go over to greet Danielle, she beams at us with bright eyes, a wide smile, and a sing‑songy “hi”. Her voice is as warm in casual conversation as it is on stage. We hand her a bouquet of flowers, coffee, and snacks from Bacha Coffee (“I love coffee,” she exclaims) before she surprises us by pulling out her own gifts—chocolates for Valentine’s Day. It is an unexpectedly thoughtful gesture.

The true magic happens just moments later when the shoot begins. Throughout the session, she moves with quiet confidence, chatting with the team and diligently preparing for each look. If “one take wonder” were a person, it’d be Danielle. The camera loves her, and she knows exactly how to make each shot work, looking effortless and flawless in Celine. Her professionalism is evident—not in any overt way, but in the small details: Her patience, her willingness to engage, her ability to effortlessly shift her attention between conversation and camera.

By the end of the day, it is clear that music is not just a career for this 19‑year‑old; it is in fact core to her identity. In our exchange, Danielle reminisces about being at her grandparents’ house and dancing to “Waterloo” from the 2008 rom‑com musical Mamma Mia!. “I remember watching a home video of me when I was about three years old, and we had pencils with cotton balls on the top as mics,” she recalls.

Born in New South Wales, Australia, to an Australian father and a South Korean mother, Danielle June Marsh, known mononymously as Danielle, embodies the rich blend of both heritages. When she was four, her family relocated to South Korea, immersing her in a vibrant cultural milieu that would profoundly influence her artistic journey. Her family was also instrumental in nurturing her creativity. “Music was everywhere—at home, in the car. My sister and I would put on little shows, and our parents always encouraged us to explore our creativity,” she shares.

Danielle’s entertainment career began early. At age six, she appeared on South Korean television under her Korean name, Mo Ji‑hye, on shows such as Rainbow Kindergarten and My Heart’s Crayon. These experiences ignited her passion for performing and stayed with her even as she stepped away from the spotlight to return to Australia for her education in 2012. A few years later, while attending her first‑ever concert, she had a life‑changing moment while watching Celine Dion perform on stage. “The entire audience went silent as soon as she sang,” she shares. “Her voice and the connection with the crowd felt incredible. I thought, what a gift it is to connect with so many people at once.” That moment crystallised her dream. Though she hadn’t attended many concerts as a child, the few she did experience, she says, played a “huge part in me pursuing music as a career”.

In 2020, Danielle returned to South Korea and embarked on the rigorous journey of a K‑pop trainee. Her dedication bore fruit when she debuted with NewJeans two years later with the release of the single “Attention”. Co‑written by Danielle, the track debuted at number two on South Korea’s Circle Digital Chart, then reached the top position in its third week, and also won the Best K‑pop Song award at the 20th Korean Music Awards, establishing NewJeans as a Y2K‑inspired national sensation. With the idol group’s fresh sound and undeniable charm, what followed was nothing short of a phenomenon: In 2023, their second EP Get Up debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 albums chart. As NewJeans, the group has sold more than eight million albums and amassed more than five billion streams on Spotify to date—solidifying their position in the global pop landscape.

Beyond her music, Danielle has also firmly established herself as a fashion It girl. With ambassadorships for Celine, Calvin Klein, Omega, and YSL Beauty, her style journey is as dynamic as her performances. “I love exploring new styles and trends,” she says. “Each brand has such a distinct aesthetic, and through these collaborations, I get to experiment with and grow my love of fashion.” Her time spent working on Celine and YSL Beauty campaigns in Paris remains a career highlight. “Travel and new experiences mean a lot to me. Visiting Paris—every moment felt like a dream,” she recalls.

As for her personal style, it seems Danielle is all about the extra details. “I’ve been enjoying accessorising with earrings and beanies. In winter, I’m never without a scarf or a knitted hat. And I love adding a sporty touch with big hoop earrings. I’d love to try an athletic chic style with a 1990s to 2000s vibe—something with a natural mix of sportswear and daily wear. Like styling track pants or jogger pants with blazers or heels. I think the charm is that it’s comfortable, and [it] feels trendy [to me,] adding sophisticated elements to a sporty mood.”

It’s not surprising to learn that Danielle’s style leans towards athleisure. For their performances, NJZ’s wardrobe runs the gamut from preppy checks that make Cher Horowitz proud to Hypebae‑worthy streetwear that allows the members to dance across the stage with their signature energy. The style fits perfectly into Danielle’s offstage life as well. “I love anything outdoorsy—walks, swims, just being in nature. It brings me peace,” she says, adding that creativity shapes her downtime too. “I enjoy drawing and writing poems. Recently, I’ve been spending hours with my guitar or a good book—time just flies!” And for excitement, Danielle is ever at the ready to feed her inner adrenaline junkie with adventures that many might quail at. “I’m a huge thrill seeker—activities such as skydiving and paragliding are always on my bucket list!”

So far, it sounds like Danielle is truly enjoying the opportunities that life has laid at her feet. But she remains surprisingly grounded despite being at the height of her career and having an army of Bunnies (the collective name for NJZ fans) screaming their undying support for the group. When asked if she has had any thoughts about life beyond the fame, hype, and music, she replies: “My sister and I always talked about opening a café and an art gallery together. After stumbling into a cosy café with the best chocolate fudge, we dreamed it up on a road trip. I’d love to create a space where people can sip coffee, enjoy music, and just rest their hearts and minds.” It’s clear that deep at heart, Danielle remains the sweet, thoughtful girl who once sang into makeshift microphones and found inspiration in a concert hall’s silence.

As NJZ embarks on a new chapter, Danielle is looking forward to what she calls “such an exciting year”. The release of new music aside, she shares that she is eager to connect with their supporters. As she puts it: “Interacting with Bunnies always brings me great comfort and uplifts my mood when I need it most. So I hope we’ll have many opportunities to spend time with them this year.”

Photographed by SIYOUNG SONG
Styled by JEFFREY YAN

Executive Producer NAVIN PILLAY
Producer ESTHER KIM
Make-up Artist SOL LEE
Hairstylist GABE SIN
Talent Stylist YOON NOI