Nancy

Nancy Jewel McDonie, known mononymously as Nancy, is a Korean-American singer, actress and television host. She rose to prominence as a member of the K-pop girl group Momoland, formed through Mnet's survival show Finding Momoland in 2016. With her distinctive visuals and commanding stage presence, Nancy quickly became one of the group's most recognized members, contributing to the viral success of hits like Bboom Bboom. As of 2026, she has expanded into acting and solo music, building a career that extends beyond group activities while maintaining a devoted international fanbase.[edit]

Nancy was born on April 13, 2000, in Daegu, South Korea, to an American father of Irish descent and a South Korean mother. Her family moved frequently during her childhood, living in the Philippines, Ohio, and Thailand before returning to South Korea. These international moves gave her fluency in Korean, English, and some Thai. At age 11, she appeared as a child actress in the 2011 film The Last Blossom, playing a young girl, which sparked her interest in entertainment. She participated in local singing competitions and talent shows while living abroad.

She attended Hanlim Multi Art School, majoring in Practical Music, and graduated in 2019 alongside other K-pop trainees. In 2016, she auditioned for Mnet's survival show Finding Momoland, which aimed to form a new girl group under MLD Entertainment. She passed the auditions and became a contestant, ultimately securing a spot in the final lineup as a lead vocalist and visual member. The show documented her training and growth, culminating in her debut with Momoland later that year.[edit]

Nancy debuted as a member of Momoland on November 10, 2016, with the single album Welcome to Momoland. The group initially struggled to gain traction, but their breakthrough came in January 2018 with the release of Bboom Bboom, which peaked at number 2 on the Gaon Digital Chart and became a viral hit across Asia, earning the group their first music show wins. Nancy's visuals and stage presence were frequently cited as key factors in the song's success. She subsequently appeared on variety shows including King of Mask Singer in 2018, Law of the Jungle in 2019, and Running Man in 2019. Momoland also released I'm So Hot and Ready or Not in 2019.

In 2020, Nancy began pursuing solo activities. She hosted the music show The Show from 2020 to 2021 alongside other K-pop idols. In 2021, she made her acting debut in the web drama The King of Pigs, followed by a role in its 2022 sequel The King of Pigs: The Final. In 2023, she starred in the web drama The Heavenly Idol and the film The Girl on the Train. She released her first solo digital single, Love is Like a Butterfly, in 2024, and has continued to focus on solo music and acting projects as Momoland's group activities have diminished. As of 2025, she has not announced any major upcoming projects publicly.[edit]

Nancy is widely recognized for her visual role in Momoland, with media often highlighting her doll-like features and stage presence. Her public image is that of a polished, professional idol who maintains a relatively private personal life. She is known for her warm and friendly interactions with fans during fan meetings and on social media. On Instagram, she posts a mix of professional photos, behind-the-scenes content, and personal updates, maintaining a positive and approachable tone. Her fandom is part of Momoland's larger fandom, Merries, but she has cultivated a strong individual following through her solo activities and multilingual communication with international fans. She has approximately 4.5 million Instagram followers, 200,000 YouTube subscribers, and 500,000 TikTok followers as of early 2025.[edit]

Nancy currently holds no placement in the iFANN Global Top 1,000 or any published scope list, a status reflecting her position as an evaluated artist without a current ranking tier. While she remains a prominent figure in the industry, the engine has not assigned her a specific ordinal rank at this time. Her journey from the viral phenomenon of "Bboom Bboom" to a solo career and acting debut has established a steady presence, though the data does not yet place her within the top global strata for fame metrics. The audience supporting her work has no formally documented fandom name; research confirms that while Momoland's collective fanbase operates under the name "Merries," there is no formally documented fandom name specifically for Nancy as a solo artist or individual idol. This lack of a unique moniker distinguishes her current standing from peers who have cultivated distinct fan identities. Despite the absence of a special title, her supporters remain dedicated through social media interactions and support for her ventures with ATOC and Sparkle. Notable moments like her inclusion in *The Korea Times* "Most Beautiful Faces of 2020" list and her transition into film with Ma Dong-seok in "Pig Village" highlight her growing recognition. The narrative around her focuses on her professional evolution rather than chaotic fan-driven legends or viral street-shutting incidents. Her story is one of consistent growth and visual impact, moving from the youngest member of Momoland to an independent actress and host, maintaining a loyal following even without a formalized group nickname.[edit]

Nancy Jewel McDonie carries her given name as her stage identity, distinguishing herself in the K-pop landscape. She stands out among her peers as one of the few idols fluent in both Korean and English, with additional proficiency in Thai. Her artistic foundation was built at Hanlim Multi Art School, where she studied alongside future stars from LOONA and Stray Kids. In her personal life, she finds joy in sushi and often spends her free time painting. Standing approximately 165 cm tall, she balances her public persona with a desire to connect deeply with her audience, once stating she wants to be a singer who touches hearts through music. Following the disbandment of Momoland in February 2023, she signed with ATOC before joining GMA's Sparkle label in April 2024. A significant chapter opened in April 2025 when she made her acting debut in the film "Pig Village," starring opposite Ma Dong-seok in what was described as a global initiative. These milestones mark her shift from group activities to a multifaceted solo career.[edit]

Nancy's father is American of Irish descent, and her mother is South Korean. She has one older sister named Brenda McDonie, who is not involved in the entertainment industry. The family moved frequently during Nancy's childhood, living in the Philippines, Ohio, and Thailand before settling in South Korea. Nancy has spoken about her multicultural background, saying she values both her Korean and American heritage. She currently lives in Seoul and has a pet dog named Ddung-i, whom she often features on her social media. In interviews, she has stated that being a mixed-race idol in Korea has its challenges, but she is proud of who she is.[edit]

Nancy is primarily associated with her fellow Momoland members, including Yeonwoo, Jane, Nayun, JooE, Ahin, Hyebin, Daisy, and Taeha, as well as the group's current lineup. She has worked with MLD Entertainment producers and variety show hosts such as Yoo Jae-suk on Running Man. Her co-stars in acting projects include the casts of The King of Pigs, The Heavenly Idol, and The Girl on the Train.[edit]

Nancy has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationships as of 2026. There have been occasional dating rumors linking her to various male idols, but none have been substantiated by multiple credible sources or confirmed by Nancy or her agency. She has maintained a private personal life regarding relationships. As of 2026, Nancy is reportedly single.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Nancy's net worth in 2026 is estimated at $2 Million. This figure reflects her sustained success since debuting with Momoland, where revenue flowed from album sales, extensive touring, and lucrative endorsements tied to the group's peak commercial era in 2018 with "Bboom Bboom." Her individual earnings have expanded through diverse channels, including hosting fees for The Show during the 2020-2021 period and appearance fees for various variety programs. Acting salaries from web dramas and films further bolster her income, particularly following her recent projects. Personal endorsement deals in the cosmetics and fashion sectors add another layer to her financial portfolio. Additionally, her solo digital single releases and active social media presence contribute to her overall earnings. While exact figures remain opaque due to standard industry contract structures, her net worth has demonstrated steady growth as she navigates her path as a solo artist and actress.[edit]

Nancy has not won any major individual awards. Her accolades are primarily group awards won with Momoland, which are not listed here.[edit]