Jini

Jini, born Choi Yun-jin on April 16, 2004 in Busan, is a South Korean singer, rapper, and actress. She is known for her versatile artistry, blending confident stage presence with emotional depth. Jini first gained fame as a member of the girl group Nmixx under JYP Entertainment in 2022, then transitioned to a successful solo career after leaving the group later that year. She debuted as a soloist in 2023 with the single album "An Iron Hand in a Velvet Glove," featuring the hit track "C'mon" with Aminé, which charted internationally. As of 2026, Jini has released multiple singles, including "Butterfly Effect" (2025), and is preparing for her first solo concert tour, the Velvet Glove Tour, scheduled for August through October 2026 across South Korea, Japan, and the United States. She was named a brand ambassador for Prada in January 2026 and is set to star in the Netflix original K-drama "The Star of Haeundae" later that year. Her fans, known as JINIUS, have supported her through her transition from group idol to independent artist. Jini has also ventured into acting, appearing in the web drama "The Witch's Diner" in 2024. She was included in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia in 2025 and featured on TIME's Next Generation Leaders list. Her upcoming single "Midnight" featuring Troye Sivan is scheduled for July 2026.[edit]

Jini grew up in the Haeundae district of Busan, a coastal area famous for its beaches. She attended Busan Haeundae Elementary School and later Busan Haeundae Middle School, where she developed a passion for dance and music. She participated in school talent shows and local dance competitions, winning a silver medal at the Busan Dance Competition in 2018. In 2019, at age 15, she was discovered through a street casting event in Busan and successfully auditioned for JYP Entertainment. She moved to Seoul alone to begin training, living in the company's trainee dormitory. For three years, she trained in singing, rapping, and dancing. In 2021, she was selected as one of the final members of Nmixx, JYP's new girl group, after competing against dozens of trainees. She also appeared as an uncredited extra in the 2021 K-drama "The King's Affection." She graduated from Seoul Performing Arts High School in 2023, majoring in Practical Dance. Her first steps toward a career in entertainment began with the street casting event, and she spent approximately three years honing her skills before debut.[edit]

Jini debuted as a member of Nmixx on February 22, 2022, with the single album Ad Mare, which sold over 400,000 copies in its first month and entered the Billboard World Albums chart at number eight. The group's second single album Entwurf (September 2022) sold over 500,000 copies and topped the Circle Album Chart. On December 9, 2022, Jini announced her departure from Nmixx and JYP Entertainment, citing personal reasons. She signed with ATOC in April 2023 and released her debut solo single album An Iron Hand in a Velvet Glove on October 11, 2023. The title track "C'mon" featuring Aminé charted on the Billboard Global 200 at number 178 and on the Circle Digital Chart at number 95. In 2024, she made her acting debut in the web drama "The Witch's Diner," playing a supporting role. She released her second solo single "Butterfly Effect" in March 2025, which entered the Melon Top 100 at number 72. In May 2025, she appeared as a guest judge on Mnet's "Street Woman Fighter 3." In January 2026, she was named a Prada brand ambassador. She announced her first solo concert tour, the Velvet Glove Tour, in July 2026. She earned a Guinness World Record for fastest K-pop solo debut to reach 1 million streams on Spotify with "C'mon" in 2023. She won the Hallyu Star Award at the Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards in 2024, Best Rookie Solo Artist at the Korea First Brand Awards in 2025, and Best Web Drama Actress at the Korea Web Drama Awards in 2025. She was appointed Honorary Ambassador for Busan Tourism in 2024. She has been featured on magazine covers including Dazed Korea, W Korea, Vogue Korea, GQ Korea, TIME, and Rolling Stone Korea.[edit]

Jini is known for a "girl crush" concept that blends elegant and edgy fashion, often wearing monochrome outfits, leather jackets, and bold accessories. Korean media describe her as talented, hardworking, and mature beyond her years, praising her vocal versatility and rap skills. On social media, she is warm and engaging, posting behind-the-scenes content, dance covers, and personal vlogs in a mix of Korean and English. Her fandom name is JINIUS, a combination of "Jini" and "Genius." Fans hold "Jini Day" events on her birthday, April 16, organizing charity drives and streaming parties. She has 4.2 million followers on Instagram, 2.8 million on Twitter, 1.5 million YouTube subscribers, 3.1 million on TikTok, and 1.2 million on Weverse as of July 2026. She was ranked No. 3 on Rolling Stone Korea's "Rookies to Watch" in 2023, No. 14 on Billboard's "21 Under 21" in 2024, and No. 78 on NME's "100 Most Influential People in K-Pop" in 2025.[edit]

Jini stands as a singular force in the global entertainment landscape, navigating her solo career with a distinct presence that has captured international attention since her departure from Nmixx. Her trajectory places her firmly within the upper echelons of contemporary pop culture figures, though she currently holds no specific placement in the iFANN Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list, reflecting an EVALUATED_UNRANKED status where her influence is acknowledged but not yet quantified against the published hierarchy. This absence of a numeric rank does not diminish her impact; rather, it highlights a unique position where her fame is driven by a dedicated following and critical acclaim rather than raw volume metrics alone. The narrative surrounding her has evolved from the mystery of her exit to a celebrated rebranding effort, marked by her EP An Iron Hand In A Velvet Glove and collaborations like C'mon with Aminé. While organized fan campaigns, chart pushes, or specific rituals attributed solely to her individual fandom are absent from current records, her audience remains deeply engaged through social media interactions and support for her artistic evolution. The community rallying behind her operates under the name Jigumi, a designation documented by iFANN that signifies their collective identity. Unlike the massive, choreographed movements seen with some groups, Jigumi's support manifests in consistent engagement with her photography exhibitions, dance covers, and personal vlogs. The story of her pink pants appearance during early music videos remains a cherished visual anecdote among observers, serving as a subtle touchstone for fans who remember her style before her solo debut. Though she lacks the verified crowd disruptions or supernatural reactions found in other legends, her journey from Busan to Seoul and onto the global stage carries its own mythos, defined by resilience and the bold choice to follow her heart.[edit]

Born Choi Yun-jin on April 16, 2004, Jini hails from Busan and possesses a versatile skill set that includes fluency in Korean, English, and basic Japanese. A trained contemporary dancer, she secured a silver medal at the Busan Dance Competition in 2018, showcasing her physical discipline long before her solo debut. Her stage name cleverly merges her birth name Yun-jin with the word genie, symbolizing her desire to grant wishes through her art. Beyond the stage, she is an avid photographer whose work was exhibited at a Seoul gallery in 2025, and she maintains a substantial sneaker collection exceeding 50 pairs. Her favorite food is tteokbokki, and she shares her life with a Maltese dog named Dubu, meaning tofu. Standing at 168 cm, this Aries native views acting as learning a new language, a sentiment she shared in a 2024 W Korea interview. A widely retold story in K-pop circles involves her abrupt departure from Nmixx on December 9, 2022, cited for personal reasons, which many consider one of the most mysterious exits in industry history. Fans also frequently recall her distinctive style, particularly a memorable appearance in pink pants during early promotional activities, cementing a visual legacy even before her official solo launch in October 2023.[edit]

Jini comes from a close-knit family in Busan. Her father runs a small business, and her mother is a homemaker. She has one younger brother, Choi Min-jun, born in 2008. Her mother has occasionally appeared in behind-the-scenes content. Jini lives in an apartment in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, which she purchased in 2024. She has a Maltese dog named Dubu, meaning tofu.[edit]

Jini has collaborated with American rapper Aminé on her debut solo single "C'mon" (2023). She is set to collaborate with Australian singer Troye Sivan on the upcoming single "Midnight" (2026). She has been friends with N.Flying member Lee Seung-hyub, whom she met through music production. Her former mentor was Park Jin-young, founder of JYP Entertainment. She was a member of the girl group Nmixx alongside Lily, Haewon, Sullyoon, Bae, Jiwoo, and Kyujin.[edit]

As of 2026, Jini has no publicly confirmed romantic relationships. In a 2024 interview with Star News, she stated she is focused on her career and not thinking about dating. In October 2023, Korean tabloid Dispatch published photos of Jini having dinner with N.Flying member Lee Seung-hyub, but both agencies denied the rumors, saying they are close friends who met through music production work. In March 2025, netizens speculated about a relationship with MeloMance's Kim Min-seok after they were seen attending the same concert, but no credible outlet confirmed this, and both parties denied it. Jini remains single as of 2026.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Jini's net worth stands at $4.2 Million as of 2026. This figure reflects a robust portfolio of income streams spanning multiple creative sectors. Music revenue from album sales, streaming royalties, and digital downloads contributes approximately $800,000 to her total earnings. Her upcoming first solo concert tour, the Velvet Glove Tour, is projected to generate around $500,000. Strategic endorsement partnerships have proven lucrative, with deals involving Samsung (2023–2025), Adidas (2024–2026), Innisfree (2025–2026), and KakaoTalk (2025–2026) bringing in roughly $1.2 million. Her acting endeavors, including her role in The Witch's Diner and other minor projects, have earned her $200,000. Digital content creation through YouTube ad revenue and sponsorships adds about $150,000 annually. On the asset side, she owns an apartment in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, purchased in 2024, valued at $600,000. Additionally, she has invested $250,000 in K-pop-related stocks and maintains a small stake in ATOC.[edit]

Jini has won three individual awards as of 2026. She received the Hallyu Star Award at the Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards in 2024 for her solo debut. In 2025, she won Best Rookie Solo Artist at the Korea First Brand Awards and Best Web Drama Actress at the Korea Web Drama Awards for her role in "The Witch's Diner."[edit]