Who is Minji NewJeans? The Untold Story of K-pop's Rising Star

Kim Minji of NewJeans has quickly become one of K-pop's most recognizable faces since the group's debut in July 2022. At just 19 years old, she has already topped South Korea's brand reputation rankings multiple times and made history as the first person named ambassador for all three Chanel Korea categories—beauty, fashion, and watches/jewelry.

Born on May 7, 2004, Minji stands at 169 cm (5'6.5") and is known for her ethereal looks and distinctive deep speaking voice. As one of the five members of NewJeans, she contributed to breakout hits like "Attention," "Hype Boy," and particularly "Ditto," which won Song of the Year at the prestigious MAMA Awards and marked the group's first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. Before joining NewJeans, she trained at Source Music starting in 2017 and was previously the face of the Plus Global Audition in 2019.

Early life and background

Behind the stage presence of NewJeans' oldest member lies a story that begins in a small town in South Korea. Minji was born in Mancheon-ri, Dong-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea on May 7, 2004. Her hometown's scenic beauty and quiet atmosphere provided the backdrop for her early childhood development.

Birthplace and family

Growing up in Chuncheon, Minji experienced life as the middle child in a family of five. She has an older brother born in 2003 and a younger sister born in 2011. Her brother currently attends Kyung Hee University, a fact she proudly revealed while performing at a music festival hosted by the institution.

While some sources suggest Minji comes from a wealthy background with her father reportedly being a businessman, this information appears in less reliable sources and hasn't been confirmed through official channels. What remains clear is that her family provided a supportive environment that allowed her talents to flourish.

Minji's education journey

Minji's educational path reflects both consistency and adaptation. Initially, she attended Mancheon Elementary School in her hometown. After completing elementary education, she transferred from Gangwon Middle School to Sinsa Middle School, where she eventually graduated.

Following middle school, Minji enrolled at Hanlim Multi Art School, specializing in the Department of Entertainment. This prestigious arts-focused institution has produced numerous K-pop idols and entertainment industry professionals. On February 10, 2023, she marked a significant milestone by graduating from Hanlim Multi Art School, balancing her academic responsibilities alongside her burgeoning career with NewJeans.

Interestingly, Minji had originally planned to attend a foreign language school, but her path changed when she began learning guitar at an academy. This shift in educational focus ultimately led her toward performance arts rather than linguistics.

Learning English in Canada

One distinctive aspect of Minji's background is her international educational experience. During her elementary school years, she participated in a homestay program in Canada. This brief but impactful period abroad allowed her to immerse herself in English and develop strong language skills.

The Canadian homestay significantly boosted Minji's confidence in English. However, this experience created an unexpected linguistic challenge. In an interview with Sirius XM, she revealed she initially learned English with a General American accent in Korea but picked up Canadian speech patterns during her stay abroad. This mix of accents occasionally created communication hurdles even with her English-speaking NewJeans members.

Today, Minji's multilingual abilities serve her well in NewJeans' global promotions. Her command of English complements her native Korean skills and adds to her versatility as an artist. This international dimension to her education foreshadowed the worldwide appeal she would later achieve with NewJeans.

Throughout her formative years, Minji developed the foundation of skills, education, and cultural understanding that would eventually position her for success in the competitive K-pop industry. Her journey from Chuncheon to global stages reflects both her personal dedication and the support systems that nurtured her talents.

The road to becoming a K-pop idol

Minji's path to K-pop stardom began unexpectedly through a chance encounter that would forever change her trajectory. Unlike many aspiring idols who actively pursue the dream from an early age, Minji's entry into the industry came through a fortuitous discovery.

Scouted by agencies

While learning guitar at a music academy in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, Minji caught the attention of casting agent Darren Won, who immediately recognized her potential. "I clearly saw the potential in her as soon as I met her," Won recalled in an interview with The Korea Times. At just 13 years old, Minji wasn't particularly focused on becoming an idol, yet her natural presence made her stand out.

"I invested a lot of time and effort to cast Minji, who was not so desperate about becoming a K-pop star at first," Won explained. Despite her initial hesitation, Won's persistence eventually convinced her to consider the possibility of an idol career.

During her middle school years, Minji's striking visuals attracted attention from numerous entertainment companies. She received business cards from various agencies, including industry giant SM Entertainment. This widespread interest from talent scouts further validated her potential in the competitive K-pop landscape.

Joining Source Music

After being persuaded by Darren Won, Minji attended an audition at Source Music held at her music academy. She performed a dance to TWICE's "SIGNAL". Her natural talent shone through, leading to her acceptance as a trainee at Source Music in 2017.

At just 13 years old, Minji began living alone in Seoul to pursue her training. This marked the beginning of a challenging period filled with rigorous practice schedules and significant personal sacrifices. Despite these difficulties, she demonstrated remarkable determination.

"Minji's strong will to pursue her dream kept her going in those harsh conditions," her mother emphasized in a later interview. Following her acceptance as a trainee, Minji transferred to a middle school in Seoul to accommodate her new training schedule.

Training under HYBE

In 2019, Source Music was acquired by HYBE Corporation (formerly Big Hit Entertainment), home to global sensation BTS. This corporate change brought new opportunities but also continued challenges for Minji. Throughout her training period, she faced arduous conditions, often practicing late into the night.

"They would make a 14-year-old girl commute alone after 2 AM without any security or support," Minji's mother revealed about the training environment. Despite these hardships, Minji remained dedicated to both her training and education. Fearing she might fall asleep and miss school, she would often head directly to school after practice, waiting at the gates from 6 AM.

Furthermore, when Source Music suggested she abandon regular high school due to the difficulties of balancing academics with training, Minji insisted on continuing her education. Through sheer determination, she secured admission to an arts high school with minimal preparation time.

Throughout her training years, Minji gained recognition as "The Girl," becoming the face of HYBE Corporation's 2019 Plus Global Auditions. This role helped establish her presence even before her official debut.

The final piece of Minji's pre-debut journey fell into place when she was selected by Min Hee Jin, CEO of ADOR (a HYBE subsidiary), as the first member chosen for the new girl group that would become NewJeans. Her long training period and perseverance had finally paved the way for her debut on the global stage.

Pre-debut spotlight: The Girl and BTS cameo

Even before officially debuting with NewJeans, Minji had already gained significant visibility in the K-pop industry through notable pre-debut appearances that hinted at her future stardom.

Plus Global Audition appearance

Long before becoming a household name, Minji stepped into the spotlight as the mysterious "#THE_GIRL" for HYBE's ambitious talent search initiative. The PLUS GLOBAL AUDITION was a collaborative global audition organized by HYBE (then known as Big Hit Entertainment) and Source Music under Min Hee-Jin's leadership. This worldwide search for new K-pop talent took place from October 5 to October 27, 2019, spanning 16 cities.

Minji became the face of this major recruitment campaign, making her first public appearance in two promotional videos titled "PLUS GLOBAL AUDITION #THE_GIRL 1" and "PLUS GLOBAL AUDITION #THE_GIRL 2," both released on September 3, 2019. These videos introduced the then-unknown trainee to the world, though few realized at the time that they were watching a future K-pop sensation.

As "#THE_GIRL," Minji represented the ideal candidate HYBE was seeking—talented, charismatic, and camera-ready. This strategic placement in promotional materials gave her valuable exposure within the industry. Notably, other NewJeans members like Danielle and Hanni also joined HYBE through this same audition program, though Minji had already been training with the company by this point.

Role in BTS' 'Permission to Dance'

Minji's pre-debut visibility reached new heights when she appeared in global superstar group BTS's music video for "Permission to Dance" on July 8, 2021. This opportunity represented a significant milestone, as the music video would be seen by millions of fans worldwide.

In this cheerful, pandemic-era music video promoting hope and resilience, Minji made a brief but memorable appearance alongside fellow NewJeans member Hanni. The video notably featured a star-studded lineup, including Grammy-winning artist Ed Sheeran, making Minji's inclusion all the more prestigious.

For keen-eyed fans who followed her journey from trainee to idol, this cameo provided an exciting glimpse of her potential. "Trainee-era Minji and Hanni in BTS's MV! So glad they debuted together," commented one observant fan after connecting the dots between their cameo and subsequent debut with NewJeans.

When "Attention" was released in July 2022, many fans immediately recognized Minji from her previous appearances. "Minji quickly found all eyes on her after Attention's debut thanks to her impressive dance moves in the video," noted one report, highlighting how her pre-debut exposure had created anticipation among viewers.

These strategic pre-debut appearances—first as the face of a global audition and then in one of the world's biggest K-pop group's music videos—helped establish Minji's presence before she officially stepped onto the stage as a NewJeans member. Although these appearances were brief, they provided valuable industry experience and public exposure that would serve her well once NewJeans made their surprise debut in 2022.

Moreover, these opportunities reflected HYBE's confidence in Minji's potential from an early stage. By positioning her in high-visibility projects prior to debut, the company signaled their investment in her future career, consequently laying groundwork for the enthusiastic reception she would later receive as a member of NewJeans.

Debut with NewJeans and rise to fame

NewJeans burst onto the K-pop scene with an innovative debut strategy that caught the industry by surprise. Unlike traditional K-pop rollouts with weeks of teasers and member reveals, the group appeared suddenly, making an immediate impact.

Surprise debut with 'Attention'

On July 22, 2022, ADOR (a HYBE subsidiary) released the music video for "Attention" without any prior promotion or information about the group's lineup. This unconventional approach created genuine curiosity, with the video garnering over one million views within twenty-four hours. The next day, ADOR announced a four-track extended play titled New Jeans, scheduled for release on August 1.

"Attention" quickly became a commercial success. The song debuted at number one on Billboard's South Korea Songs chart and reached number two on the Circle Digital Chart. Internationally, it peaked at number 54 on the Billboard Global 200 and charted in multiple countries including Argentina, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Critics praised the track, with IZM noting that it "aims for a comfortable listening experience, but will never be boring".

Breakout hits: 'Hype Boy', 'Ditto', 'OMG'

Following "Attention," NewJeans released "Hype Boy" as their second single, which became a cultural phenomenon. The song reached number two on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart and broke records by becoming the longest-running song on the Billboard Global 200 by a K-pop female act, charting for 42 weeks. Subsequently, both "Attention" and "Hype Boy" remained at positions one and two respectively for 15 consecutive days on Spotify Korea's daily top song chart.

In December 2022, NewJeans released "Ditto," which featured lyrics written by Minji herself. The song made history as NewJeans' first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 and won Song of the Year at multiple prestigious award shows including the MAMA Awards, Melon Music Awards, Golden Disc Awards, and Asia Artist Awards. "Ditto" set an unprecedented record in South Korea with the most Perfect All-Kills ever on Korean music charts.

"OMG," released in January 2023, further cemented their status with higher Billboard Hot 100 rankings than "Ditto" and strong global streaming numbers. Remarkably, the single album containing "Ditto" and "OMG" amassed 800,000 pre-orders, demonstrating how quickly NewJeans had risen from unknowns to K-pop megastars.

Minji's role in the group

Within NewJeans, Minji serves as the main rapper and sub vocalist. As the oldest member, she naturally assumed a leadership role, though the group maintains a relatively non-hierarchical structure. Her contributions extend beyond performing, as she participated in writing lyrics for "Ditto," which became one of their most successful tracks.

Minji's journey with NewJeans represents a remarkable success story. In just over six months after debut, the group had made history on South Korea's Melon charts and became the fastest K-pop girl group to land on the UK Official Singles chart. By August 15, 2022, merely weeks after debut, NewJeans set a new record for a debuting K-pop girl group by selling precisely 311,271 copies of their first EP in a week.

In a testament to their extraordinary rise, NewJeans became the first K-pop girl act to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify with their namesake debut album. This meteoric ascent established Minji and her groupmates as one of the most successful rookie acts in K-pop history.

Creative contributions and songwriting

Beyond her impressive performances, Minji has established herself as a creative force within NewJeans through her songwriting contributions. Unlike many rookie K-pop acts who rarely participate in content creation, NewJeans members have been actively involved in their musical direction from the beginning.

Writing lyrics for 'Ditto'

Minji earned her first official songwriting credit on "Ditto," a pre-release track that became one of NewJeans' defining hits. This achievement marked an important milestone in her artistic development, as she joined fellow members Hanni and Danielle who had previously contributed to "Hype Boy" and "Attention" respectively.

The songwriting process for "Ditto" revealed Minji's distinctive creative approach. In an interview with NME, she explained her inspiration: "When I heard 'Ditto,' it just popped into my head: this main image of a winter mountain that felt kind of cold, but warm at the same time... So I tried to put some objects inside the mountain, for example, like a tree house and a campfire". This visualization technique helped Minji capture the wistful, yearning quality that made "Ditto" resonate with listeners worldwide.

Working alongside established songwriters Ylva Dimberg, Cho Hyuil of The Black Skirts, and indie Korean musician Oohyo, Minji helped craft lyrics that perfectly complemented the song's dreamy Baltimore club sound. The collaborative effort proved extraordinarily successful, with "Ditto" going on to win Song of the Year at multiple prestigious award shows.

Musical style and influence

NewJeans has distinguished themselves through their unique musical approach, blending diverse genres including R&B, hip-hop, pop, UK garage, Baltimore club, Jersey club, and moombahton. This eclectic style sets them apart in the K-pop landscape, with critics praising their "sleek and hooky songs, which blend retro synths with experimental touches".

Behind this distinctive sound is an equally unconventional creative process. According to reports, the group recorded without guide vocals, allowing each member—including Minji—to develop their unique singing styles. This approach, championed by executive producer Min Hee-jin, aimed to break away from traditional K-pop formulas.

Minji's contribution extends beyond "Ditto" as she continues developing her songwriting skills. As she mentioned through groupmate Haerin: "We have been challenging ourselves and putting a lot of effort into trying new things since our debut". Indeed, by mid-2023, four of the five NewJeans members had secured official songwriting credits, with Minji, Hanni, and Danielle obtaining individual identifier numbers from the Korea Music Copyright Association (KOMCA).

Minji’s public image and endorsements

Within months of her debut, Minji established herself as a fashion and beauty icon in South Korea's competitive celebrity landscape. Her classical beauty combined with a contemporary style sensibility has made her particularly attractive to luxury brands seeking fresh representatives.

Chanel brand ambassador

In March 2023, Minji made fashion history when Chanel Korea appointed her as their global ambassador. This extraordinary achievement marked her as the first person ever to simultaneously represent all three Chanel Korea categories—fashion, beauty, and watches/jewelry. At just 18 years old, she secured a position typically reserved for established celebrities with years in the industry.

Her appointment reflected Chanel's recognition of her growing global influence and alignment with the brand's sophisticated image. Fashion analysts noted how her elegant demeanor and natural poise complemented Chanel's aesthetic perfectly. Throughout 2023 and 2024, Minji appeared in multiple Chanel campaigns, attended Paris Fashion Week events, and participated in exclusive brand activations across Asia.

Media appearances and magazine covers

Beyond brand endorsements, Minji's distinctive visuals have graced numerous high-profile magazine covers. Her photogenic qualities and camera presence make her particularly sought after by editorial teams. Magazine spreads featuring Minji consistently generate substantial social media engagement, with fans appreciating her versatility in portraying different concepts and styles.

Additionally, she has appeared on several popular Korean variety shows alongside her NewJeans members. Unlike many rookie idols who struggle with on-camera nervousness, Minji displays natural confidence and thoughtful responses during interviews. Her deep speaking voice, which contrasts with her ethereal appearance, has become one of her recognizable traits in media appearances.

Participation in public campaigns

Apart from commercial endorsements, Minji has participated in several public interest campaigns. Alongside her groupmates, she has supported educational initiatives encouraging young people to pursue their dreams despite obstacles. These campaigns align with NewJeans' positive image and appeal to their predominantly young fanbase.

Furthermore, she has used her platform to promote environmental awareness, particularly through social media. These efforts demonstrate her understanding of an idol's potential influence beyond entertainment.

What distinguishes Minji's public image is the remarkable balance she maintains between commercial success and authenticity. Despite her rapid rise to prominence, she has preserved the genuine, approachable quality that endeared her to fans initially. This authenticity, coupled with her professional achievements, continues to strengthen her position as one of K-pop's most promising young talents.

Personality, habits, and lifestyle

Beyond her polished public persona, Minji possesses a carefully structured inner world that mirrors her meticulous approach to her craft. Her personality and daily habits reveal a young woman who values order, clarity, and simple pleasures.

MBTI evolution and traits

Minji belongs to a rare category within K-pop, as one of only 1% of idols with the ESTJ personality type. Known as "The Executive," this personality type characterizes individuals who are sensible, loyal, strong-willed, and highly organized. Interestingly, her MBTI results have evolved over time, previously testing as ENTJ and ISFJ before settling on ESTJ.

In practice, these traits manifest in her systematic approach to challenges. Given that she's naturally slow to memorize, Minji compensates by practicing diligently to learn lyrics and choreography. Her bandmates recognize her ability to express thoughts clearly and logically, often positioning her to introduce content within the team.

Daily routines and hobbies

Consistency defines Minji's approach to daily life. She maintains a surprisingly regimented routine, even for bedtime. On rest days, she prefers waking up late, eating breakfast, and taking walks without specific destinations.

Her self-care rituals include distinctive habits—she regularly enjoys half-body baths with various bath salts. In contrast to these relaxing rituals, Minji and her groupmates occasionally engage in morning yoga and stretching to maintain their physical condition.

Her leisure activities reflect both creativity and contemplation:

Reading (particularly mystery novels)
Taking walks
Watching movies
Decorating her diary

Food preferences and quirks

Minji's culinary tastes feature distinctive preferences and aversions. She holds special appreciation for her mother's cooking. Uniquely, she enjoys ice cream most during winter months and prefers it in sandwich form rather than in cones or bars, with New York Cheesecake being her favorite flavor.

For breakfast, she opts for tomatoes, while salt bread ranks among her favorite treats. Nonetheless, her diet has clear boundaries—she avoids Hawaiian pizza, almond bonbons, mint chocolate, and vegetables (especially chives).

An interesting philosophy guides her eating habits: Minji believes in consuming the most delicious food first, reasoning this strategy increases overall meal satisfaction. This thoughtful approach to even the smallest details exemplifies the carefully considered nature that defines Minji both on and off stage.

Relationships and group dynamics

The interpersonal dynamics within NewJeans reveal Minji's natural leadership abilities and deep connections with her groupmates. As the oldest member, she navigates relationships with wisdom beyond her years while maintaining genuine friendships.

Friendships with members and other idols

Minji and Hanni share a particularly close bond as fellow '04 liners. Their connection runs so deep that Minji once remarked, "I feel like I can have a conversation with Hanni by just looking at her eyes". This special friendship was highlighted when they traveled to Rome together in April 2025, posting photos on their "mhdhh friends" Instagram with the caption, "Bunnies, how are you doing? We've come far away for a bit. We wanted to go somewhere where no one would recognize us".

When describing her groupmates to Billboard, Minji revealed thoughtful insights about each member. She praised Hanni as "always caring for the people around her," called Danielle the group's "sunflower" whose "bright smile just warms my heart," described Haerin as "the most honest person in the world," and expressed admiration for Hyein, saying "Everything about Hyein is amazing". Her heartfelt conclusion reflected her genuine appreciation: "All five of us are friends and they're all precious to me".

Leadership role in NewJeans

Undoubtedly, Minji serves as NewJeans' de facto leader despite the group having no official positions. Her teammates aptly describe her as the "organizing queen" and highlight her meticulous attention to detail. This naturally evolved leadership role stems from her ESTJ personality traits, which reveal her disciplined and caring nature.

Interestingly, Minji's leadership style balances directness with compassion. While she may appear reserved initially, she demonstrates deep attentiveness once relationships develop. Her straightforward approach occasionally comes across as strict, yet this stems from genuine concern—frequently reminding members to eat properly exemplifies this caring oversight. As members often express, "There is no leader in NewJeans, but there is Minji".

FAQS

Fans frequently ask questions about Minji, seeking to understand the NewJeans member beyond her public performances. Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about this rising K-pop star.

Q: What are Minji's favorite books and movies?
A: Minji cherishes "Winnie The Pooh" and "Happy Things Happen Every Day" as her favorite books. Regarding films, she particularly enjoys "La La Land," appreciating stories with warm, inspiring themes.

Q: What positions does Minji hold in NewJeans?
A: Within NewJeans, Minji serves as main vocalist, lead rapper, and visual. Interestingly, she's also known as the group's "cleanup queen" for her organizational skills.

Q: What is Minji's motto and dream?
A: Her personal motto is "Be yourself and love yourself." In terms of aspirations, Minji dreams of becoming a singer who can touch people's hearts and make them happy.

Q: Did Minji really not know what kalguksu is?
A: In January 2024, Minji clarified a misunderstanding from a YouTube appearance where she had asked "what is kalguksu?" She explained: "I'm a picky eater and have never tried kalguksu before, so I thought about the type and taste of kalguksu, saying 'what is kalguksu?' out loud to myself".

Q: What is Minji's MBTI personality type?
A: Her current MBTI type is ESTJ, although she previously tested as ENTJ and ISFJ.

Q: What are some things Minji dislikes?
A: Minji dislikes Hawaiian pizza, almond bonbons, vegetables (specifically chives), and mint chocolate.

Q: Does Minji have any athletic interests?
A: She enjoys baseball and supports the Doosan Bears. Additionally, she learned boxing and demonstrates impressive athletic ability with strong grip strength and arm muscles.

Q: What is Minji's ideal type?
A: She's attracted to kind-hearted, intellectual individuals who are respectful and supportive.