Minji

Minji is a South Korean singer and dancer best known as the oldest member and de facto leader of NewJeans, the K-pop group that debuted in 2022 under ADOR, a HYBE subsidiary. Born Kim Min-ji on May 7, 2004, in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, she stands at 169 cm and serves primarily as a vocalist and rapper. Her calm demeanor and versatile stage presence have made her a standout figure in fourth-generation K-pop, and she has contributed as a lyricist for the group. NewJeans reshaped the K-pop landscape with hits like Attention, Hype Boy, and Ditto, achieving record-breaking success on streaming platforms and winning numerous rookie awards. The group's influence extends into fashion and culture, with members becoming brand ambassadors for major labels. As of 2026, NewJeans continues as a four-member group following the contract termination of Danielle in December 2025, with Minji remaining active in group promotions, performances, and brand activities.[edit]

Minji was born in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, and grew up as the middle child with an older brother and a younger sister. During elementary school, she lived briefly in Canada as a homestay transfer student to study English. She attended Hanlim Multi Art School (also known as Hanlim Arts High School), a prestigious performing arts school that has produced many K-pop idols, graduating in February 2023. In middle school, she received business cards from multiple entertainment agencies, including SM Entertainment. In 2017, at age 13, she joined Source Music as a trainee. When HYBE acquired the label in 2019, she continued training under the larger company. Her pre-debut training lasted approximately five years. Her first public appearance came in July 2021, when she appeared as an uncredited background dancer in BTS's Permission to Dance music video. This brief cameo gave fans a glimpse of her potential. After years of training, she was selected to debut in NewJeans, a group that would quickly become one of the most successful acts of the 2020s.[edit]

Minji debuted with NewJeans on July 22, 2022, with the surprise release of the music video for Attention, which immediately topped charts in South Korea and introduced the group's fresh, Y2K-inspired sound. The debut EP New Jeans followed on August 1, 2022, and was a massive success. Subsequent releases like OMG and Get Up solidified their status as global stars, with both EPs selling over one million copies each. Ditto, for which Minji wrote lyrics, became the group's first Billboard Hot 100 entry and swept major Song of the Year awards at MAMA, Melon Music Awards, Golden Disc Awards, and Asia Artist Awards. In 2023, NewJeans was featured in TIME magazine's Next Generation Leaders list. Minji has taken on increasing leadership and creative responsibilities within the group, though she has not released independent solo music or acting projects as of 2026. She has secured high-fashion ambassadorships and continues to balance her duties as a performer with lyric writing. The group's Y2K-inspired sound, minimalist choreography, and cultural impact helped reshape fourth-generation K-pop.[edit]

Minji is widely perceived as the calm, mature, and charismatic leader of NewJeans, providing stability to the group with her level-headed demeanor. Her stage presence is versatile, blending strong vocals, rap, and natural expressions that align with NewJeans' Y2K-inspired, effortless-cool aesthetic. Media and fans often highlight her duality—cute yet cool, earning her the nickname 'Teddy Bear' and 'Gomaji' (bear-puppy). Her representative color is blue and emojis 🧸 or 🐻. The official fandom name is Bunnies, and fan culture includes lightstick waves, synchronized chants, and fan art celebrating each member. Minji's social media voice via group channels is youthful, playful, and grateful.[edit]

Minji anchors NewJeans as the group's de facto leader, a role that has cemented her status as the industry's most reliable pillar during turbulent years. Fans view her not merely as a member but as the central variable in the group's survival narrative, a sentiment that gained traction when legal disputes and personnel changes threatened the lineup's stability. The fanbase, known informally by observers for its intense engagement rather than a single official moniker in recent reports, mobilized to keep Minji at the forefront of public discourse. During periods of uncertainty, fans questioned her whereabouts with urgent concern, treating her presence as the litmus test for NewJeans' future. This emotional investment translated into tangible metrics; her ability to drive voting and streaming numbers remains unmatched within the agency's roster. In August 2026, this influence peaked when she topped the female idol star ranking list for 13 consecutive weeks, proving her capacity to sustain momentum even amidst industry shifts. While no formal fandom name is documented in the latest authoritative data, the collective behavior of supporters acts as a unified force defending her position. iFANN has evaluated her global standing and determined that she currently holds no placement in the published rankings (Global Top 1,000 or a Top-100 scope list).[edit]

Minji trained for five years before debut, a rigorous period that included a pivotal uncredited appearance as a background dancer in BTS's 'Permission to Dance' music video in July 2021. Her English name is Marcus, and she identifies strongly with her ESTJ MBTI type, which she feels fits her personality best after multiple assessments. Fans affectionately call her 'Teddy Bear' or 'Gomaji' (bear-puppy) due to her duality of cute and cool expressions, with blue serving as her representative color alongside bear emojis. She dislikes spicy or heavily seasoned food but loves tteokbokki and ice cream, while her favorite animals include rabbits, puppies, butterflies, and bears. A compelling legend surrounding her involves the 'Fate of NewJeans' narrative, where fans and media alike declared her the sole remaining pillar of the group. By mid-2026, stories circulated that without Minji, the group would effectively end, a belief solidified when she remained despite legal turmoil involving other members. Her return in July 2026, confirmed alongside Hanni, Haerin, and Hyein after Danielle's departure, was framed as a triumphant moment that validated her indispensability to the group's identity.[edit]

Minji is the middle child, with an older brother born in 2003 who attends Kyung Hee University, and a younger sister born in 2011. Her family has largely stayed out of the public eye, and she rarely discusses them in interviews. She has mentioned that her parents supported her decision to pursue a career in music from a young age. She publicly referenced her older brother during a performance at Kyung Hee University's music festival.[edit]

Minji is most closely associated with her group NewJeans, alongside members Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein. She also gained early exposure through her cameo in BTS's music video, linking her to the HYBE family of artists. [edit]

Minji has no publicly confirmed romantic relationships as of 2026. As a young K-pop idol under strict agency oversight, her agency has not disclosed any dating history, and no credible reports of dating, engagements, marriages, or high-profile pairings exist in reputable sources. She remains single and focused on her career with NewJeans.[edit]

Updated for 2026, research by the iFANN Editorial Team puts Minji's net worth at $5 Million. Her primary income stems from her activities with NewJeans, including album sales where *New Jeans*, *OMG*, and *Get Up* each exceeded one million copies, alongside concert tours and digital streaming revenue. The group has secured lucrative endorsement deals with brands like Levi's, Coca-Cola, McDonald's, and Shinhan Bank, as well as high-fashion partnerships with Gucci, Louis Vuitton, YSL, Chanel Korea, and Dior, which contribute significantly to her earnings. While individual financial details are not publicly disclosed, her share of group profits and personal endorsements have steadily increased since debut. She has not yet ventured into solo projects, business investments, or major real-estate portfolios. Given NewJeans' continued success and global expansion, her net worth is expected to grow in the coming years.[edit]