Kang Mi-na

Kang Mi-na is a South Korean actress, singer, and rapper who first gained attention as the ninth-place finisher on Mnet's survival show Produce 101. She later performed as a member of the project girl group I.O.I and the Jellyfish Entertainment group Gugudan, before transitioning into a steady acting career. As of 2026, she has built a filmography spanning web dramas, historical series, and romantic comedies, with her most recent project being the drama See You at Work Tomorrow!. Known for a warm, approachable persona, Kang Mi-na maintains an active Instagram presence at @_happiness_o, where she shares updates with her followers.[edit]

Kang Mi-na was born on December 4, 1999, in Icheon, a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. She attended Seoul Performing Arts High School, a school known for producing many K-pop idols, and graduated in 2018. Her early interest in music and performance led her to train under Jellyfish Entertainment.

In 2016, she participated in Mnet's survival show Produce 101, which brought together 101 female trainees from various entertainment companies. Over the course of the competition, she showcased her rap and vocal abilities, earning enough votes to place ninth. That secured her a spot in the final 11-member lineup of I.O.I, a temporary project group that would promote for less than a year.[edit]

Kang Mi-na debuted as a member of I.O.I on May 4, 2016, with the mini-album Chrysalis and the lead single "Dream Girls." The group found major commercial success, with songs like "Very Very Very" becoming hits. Less than two months later, on June 28, 2016, she debuted again as a member of Jellyfish Entertainment's new girl group Gugudan with the mini-album Act. 1 The Little Mermaid and the title track "Wonderland."

In 2017, she participated in the Gugudan sub-unit 5959 alongside fellow member Hyeyeon, releasing the single "Ice Chu" on February 10. I.O.I disbanded in January 2017 after a final concert titled "Time Slip." In 2018, Kang Mi-na made her acting debut in the web drama Dokgo Rewind, playing the role of Kim Ye-na. That same year, she formed another Gugudan sub-unit, SeMiNa, with members Sejeong and Nayoung, releasing the single "SeMiNa" on July 10.

She landed a supporting role in the KBS2 drama Tale of Fairy in 2018, followed by an appearance in the hit tvN drama Hotel del Luna in 2019, which achieved high viewership ratings. Gugudan officially disbanded on August 11, 2020. After that, Kang Mi-na focused on acting, starring in the web drama Summer Guys (2021) and taking supporting roles in the KBS2 historical drama Moonshine (2021–2022), the KBS2 drama Café Minamdang (2022), and the JTBC drama Welcome to Samdal-ri (2023). As of 2026, she is set to star in the drama See You at Work Tomorrow!.[edit]

Kang Mi-na is known for a cute, youthful image that aligns with typical K-pop idol aesthetics. In her acting roles, she often plays supporting characters in romantic comedies and fantasy dramas. Korean media has portrayed her as a versatile entertainer who successfully transitioned from idol singer to actress. She is recognized for her visual appeal and adaptability. On Instagram, she presents a warm, cheerful persona, frequently posting candid photos and updates. As an individual, she does not have an officially named solo fandom.[edit]

Kang Mi-na maintains a dedicated following known as MINA★, a designation that reflects the specific support she receives independent of her group affiliations with I.O.I and Gugudan. While her earlier career relied on collective fandoms, her transition to acting has cultivated this distinct community, which actively monitors her social media updates at @_happiness_o and engages in discussions regarding her recent professional choices. The narrative surrounding her 2026 absence from the I.O.I reunion tour generated significant discourse within this circle, yet the group remains supportive of her individual trajectory. This sustained engagement places her firmly within the current cultural conversation, a status quantified by authoritative global metrics. According to the August 2026 iFANN Global Fame Rankings, Kang Mi-na is the 98th most famous person in South Korea, a position she holds steady from the previous cycle. This ranking situates her among the nation's most recognized figures, reflecting her successful pivot from music to a diverse acting portfolio. Her prominence spans multiple sectors, driven by consistent media coverage and public consumption of her work across web dramas and historical series.[edit]

Kang Mi-na was the ninth-place finisher on Produce 101, securing her position in the final lineup for the project girl group I.O.I. She served as a member of two distinct sub-units within her agency Gugudan: 5959 alongside Hyeyeon, and SeMiNa with Sejeong and Nayoung. Her stage name "Mina" functions as a direct abbreviation of her full name. A graduate of Seoul Performing Arts High School, she shares an alma mater with many of her contemporaries in the industry. Following the disbandment of Gugudan, she successfully transitioned into a robust acting career. Recent lore highlights her exclusion from the I.O.I 10th-anniversary reunion in 2026, a decision attributed to scheduling conflicts rather than interpersonal discord, a clarification she made to calm fan speculation. Additionally, her role in the drama If Wishes Could Kill drew attention for its meta-narrative elements involving a character's disappearance, which resonated with audiences familiar with her real-life timeline.[edit]

Kang Mi-na has not publicly disclosed extensive details about her family. She has mentioned having a close relationship with her parents. She does not have any known siblings or pets.[edit]

Kang Mi-na has collaborated closely with fellow I.O.I and Gugudan members Kim Se-jeong and Kim Na-young, forming the sub-unit SeMiNa. She co-starred with Ji Chang-wook and Shin Hye-sun in Welcome to Samdal-ri and appeared alongside IU and Yeo Jin-goo in Hotel del Luna.[edit]

Based on available credible sources, Kang Mi-na has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationships. As of 2026, there are no verified reports of her dating, being engaged, married, or having children. She has maintained privacy regarding her personal romantic life.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Kang Mi-na's net worth in 2026 stands at $3 Million. This valuation encompasses earnings accumulated through her tenure with I.O.I and Gugudan, including revenue from the commercial success of their 2016–2017 releases like the single Very Very Very. Her income stream is further bolstered by salaries from supporting roles in Korean dramas, where she typically commands between $1,000 and $10,000 per episode. Additional financial contributions arise from brand endorsements, commercial appearances, and guest spots on variety programs. The stability of her filmography, spanning web dramas and romantic comedies, ensures a consistent flow of revenue that supports her estimated total.[edit]

Kang Mi-na has not won any major individual acting or music awards as a solo artist. Her accolades are primarily group-based through I.O.I and Gugudan.[edit]