Minji (NewJeans) Profile

• BIOGRAPHY
• NEWJEANS
• FILMOGRAPHY/ VIDEOGRAPHY
• ILLUSTRATION
• FUN FACTS
• OUR FAVOURITE PERFORMANCE
• MORE NEWJEANS PROFILES

BIOGRAPHY

Minji (김민지) is a South Korean singer and the oldest member of the popular girl group NewJeans.

She was born on May 7, 2004, in Chuncheon, South Korea. Minji is the middle child of three siblings, with a younger sister and an older brother. During elementary school, she studied in Canada as a homestay exchange student, where she learned English. Minji originally planned to attend a foreign language school, but her plans changed when she started learning guitar at an academy. Her teacher encouraged her to take part in an internal audition for Source Music, where she danced to TWICE’s “SIGNAL.” That performance led to her officially joining Source Music as a trainee in 2017.

After becoming a trainee, Minji transferred to a middle school in Seoul. She stayed with Source Music until the company was acquired by HYBE Corporation in 2019. She later moved to ADOR, another HYBE sublabel, and was selected as the first trainee for ADOR’s new girl group NewJeans.

In 2019, Minji became known for appearing in posters and promotional videos for HYBE’s PLUS GLOBAL AUDITION. During middle school, she received numerous business cards from various entertainment agencies, including SM Entertainment. Before her debut, Minji made a cameo appearance in BTS’s “Permission to Dance” music video in July 2021 alongside her future groupmate Hanni.

Minji attended Hanlim Multi Art School, graduating in February 2023, further cementing her path as a rising star in the K-pop industry.

NEWJEANS

Girl group NewJeans, who debuted under the ADOR label on July 22, 2022, quickly became a global sensation thanks to their innovative music and captivating charisma. In a short time, the group broke streaming records, topped charts worldwide, and received numerous awards, including “Best New Group,” “Artist of the Year,” and “Song of the Year” at prestigious award shows. With their fresh approach and unforgettable performances, the members of NewJeans continue to shape the future of K-pop. Here’s a summary of their biggest achievements for you:

• 2022: The debut album NewJeans sold over 440,000 copies in the first three days of pre-orders, setting a record at the time for the highest first pre-order sales of a K-pop girl group’s debut album.
• 2022: NewJeans became the first Korean artist to enter the US Spotify charts with a debut song: “Attention” landed at No. 183.
• 2022: They were the third K-pop girl group to reach No. 1 on the music shows of all three major broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC) with their debut song.
• 2023: On February 2, “Ditto” reached 655 Perfect All-Kills (PAKs), setting a new record for the most PAKs for a K-pop song.
• 2023: NewJeans won several major awards (Daesangs) in a single year, including for “Ditto,” further cementing their influence in the music industry.
• 2023: They surpassed 10 million Spotify streams in record time, showcasing their worldwide appeal.
• 2023: NewJeans was the first K-pop group to partner with global brands like Apple Music for exclusive content and promotions.
• 2024: NewJeans held the “Bunnies Camp 2024” fan meeting at the Tokyo Dome. No K-pop artist before them had performed at the Tokyo Dome so soon after their debut.
• 2024: NewJeans set a record as the 4th-generation K-pop group with the most Daesang wins. The girl group received a total of 10 Daesangs.
• 2024: NewJeans left ADOR in December 2024 amid the ongoing conflict between Min Hee-jin and Hybe, after Min was dismissed as CEO and NewJeans’ demands were rejected.

Minji is the leader of the group.

Minji debuted on July 22, 2022, as a member of the South Korean girl group NewJeans with the surprise release of the music video for their debut single “Attention.” Her visual highlights, especially in the music video’s opening sequence, were widely praised, with many comparing her to “classic Korean actresses of the ’90s.” Korean media also drew comparisons between Minji’s looks and those of Olivia Hussey.

Besides her striking looks, Minji is also valued for her language skills. Although she’s a native Korean speaker, she’s fluent in English and Japanese and often takes on the role of translator for the team’s “Aussie line.”

Minji gained immense popularity after her debut, ranking first in girl group solo brand rankings for three consecutive months from January to March 2023.

FILMOGRAPHY/ VIDEOGRAPHY

YEAR	TITLE
2021	BTS – “Permission To Dance”

ILLUSTRATION

In February 2023, Minji reached a major career milestone when she was named Korean ambassador for CHANEL’s fashion, beauty, and watches & jewelry collections. This historic appointment made her the first Korean ambassador to represent all three categories of the iconic luxury brand at once.

Building on that success, Minji reached another notable milestone in January 2024 when she was named a global brand ambassador for CHANEL. This prestigious role further solidified her status as a global icon and style influencer, making her one of the youngest talents to hold such a position in the brand’s illustrious history.

FUN FACTS

• Minji’s favorite Hogwarts house is Gryffindor.
• Her favorite facial feature on herself is her lips.
• Her favorite color is blue.
• She doesn’t like jump scares.
• Minji was the first member chosen for the debut lineup.
• She prefers dogs over cats.
• Her favorite words are “watermelon” and “love.”
• Minji’s favorite animals are rabbits, puppies, butterflies, and bears.

OUR FAVOURITE PERFORMANCE

Minji is known for her deep vocal tone in NewJeans and often takes on the low-to-mid parts, including “spoken rap” or “sung rap.” Her “killing parts” in songs like “Hype Boy,” “Cookie,” and “Ditto” highlight her unique style, with her soothing voice often described as relaxing.

Her dance style is powerful and energetic, especially in big movements involving her arms and legs. Minji’s athleticism on and off stage has earned her the nickname “PE Goddess.” She especially shines in songs like “Attention,” “Hype Boy,” and “Super Shy,” where her stage presence underscores her sporty, refreshing image.

Overall, Minji’s vocal and dance skills make her an outstanding member of NewJeans, captivating fans with her versatility and energy.

Sources: NewJeans’ social media channels, YouTube, KMCA, Billboard, Circle Chart, ADOR

MORE NEWJEANS PROFILES

DANIELLE

HYEIN

HANNI

HAERIN