Ryujin

Shin Ryu-jin, known mononymously as Ryujin, is a South Korean rapper, singer, and dancer. She is a member of ITZY, a fourth-generation K-pop girl group formed by JYP Entertainment. Debuting in February 2019 with the single 'DALLA DALLA,' ITZY quickly rose to fame, earning Rookie of the Year awards and establishing themselves as one of the leading acts of their generation. Ryujin serves as the group's center, main dancer, main rapper, and sub-vocalist, known for her powerful stage presence and charismatic 'girl crush' image. Born on April 17, 2001, in Seoul, South Korea, she is 25 years old as of 2026, stands 164 cm (5 ft 4.5 in) tall, has blood type B, and an INTJ MBTI personality. Her representative emoji is the monkey (🐵). She is consistently praised for her sharp choreography and trendsetting performances, making her one of the most recognizable 'girl crush' idols of her generation. As of 2026, Ryujin continues to promote with ITZY, performing worldwide and engaging with fans through music, tours, and brand endorsements. Recent highlights include the group's 2025 album 'GOLD' and the ongoing 'TUNNEL VISION' world tour, where older tracks like 'That's a No No' have regained viral traction. She remains active in brand endorsements and dance content, with official ITZY accounts on Instagram, Twitter/X, YouTube, and TikTok.[edit]

Ryujin was born on April 17, 2001, in Seoul, South Korea, though some sources note her birth in Chuncheon, Gangwon, with Seoul as her hometown. She grew up in a middle-class household in the Seoul area and attended Seoul Gwangnam Elementary School, Daejang Middle School, and initially Gyeonggi Girls’ High School before transferring to graduate from Hanlim Multi Art School, where she majored in practical dance and musical theatre. At Hanlim, she studied alongside future ITZY member Chaeryeong. Her early interests centered on dance and performance. A pivotal pre-debut moment occurred in middle school when a JYP Entertainment staff member scouted her at a GOT7 fan meeting; she auditioned successfully and trained for approximately four years. During her trainee years, she honed her skills in dance, rap, and singing. In 2017, she competed on the JTBC survival show MIXNINE under YG Entertainment, where she ranked first and received a debut offer from Yang Hyun-suk, which she declined to remain at JYP. That same year, she appeared in the first episode of Stray Kids’ survival program alongside future ITZY members Yeji, Chaeryeong, and Yuna, and made a brief appearance in the film 'The King' (2017). A significant pre-debut moment came in 2018 when she featured as the female lead opposite J-Hope and Jimin in BTS's 'Love Yourself' Highlight Reel videos, giving her international exposure. She was also offered a debut under YG but chose JYP. These experiences built her reputation for strong stage presence before her official debut.[edit]

Ryujin debuted as the center, main dancer, main rapper, and sub-vocalist of ITZY on February 12, 2019, with the single album IT'z Different and its title track 'DALLA DALLA.' The song was a massive hit, topping Korean charts and earning the group multiple Rookie of the Year awards. ITZY's follow-up singles, including 'ICY' (2019) and 'WANNABE' (2020), solidified their popularity. Ryujin's signature shoulder dance move in 'WANNABE' became a global TikTok phenomenon, significantly boosting her personal popularity. From 2020 to 2023, ITZY released a series of successful EPs: 'Not Shy' (2020), 'Guess Who' (2021), 'Checkmate' (2022), 'Cheshire' (2022), 'Kill My Doubt' (2023), and 'Born to Be' (2023), and embarked on world tours across Asia, North America, and Europe. In 2024–2025, they continued promotions with EPs 'GOLD' (2025) and 'Girls Will Be Girls' (2025), and the 'TUNNEL VISION' world tour in 2025–2026 saw a viral resurgence of older tracks like 'That's a No No.' During 2025–2026, Ryujin promoted 'GOLD' tracks including 'Bad Girls R Us,' which she cited as a personal favorite for its minimal production and cool 'bad girl' concept. She contributes rap writing and standout choreography within ITZY and has appeared in variety shows, brand campaigns, and dance challenges. While she has not released fully independent solo albums, her individual impact is most visible through viral dance moments and her role as a top fourth-generation female dancer and center.[edit]

Ryujin is widely recognized for her confident, tomboyish 'girl crush' aesthetic, characterized by sharp dance moves, relaxed off-stage humor, and charismatic stage presence. She is often portrayed by media as a standout performer and trendsetter, particularly after the 'WANNABE' shoulder dance became a global phenomenon. Her content tone is energetic and empowering, emphasizing authenticity and self-confidence. ITZY's official fandom name is MIDZY, and fan culture includes dance challenges, streaming parties, and lightstick waves at concerts. Her social media voice, conveyed through group channels, is playful, supportive of fans, and occasionally shares behind-the-scenes glimpses, projecting a relatable yet aspirational image.[edit]

The bond between Ryujin and her audience is anchored by MIDZY, ITZY's official fandom name, which signifies a mutual journey of growth where members and fans stand in the middle together. This collective identity drives organized streaming parties for releases like IT'z Different and coordinates charity drives during birthdays, turning digital engagement into tangible global support. While MIDZY funds billboards across Seoul and New York to celebrate their idols, Ryujin reciprocates through direct Instagram interactions and contributions to songwriting that deepen fan investment in her artistic output. Her status as a powerhouse center and main rapper has generated countless viral clips, cementing her reputation as a trendsetter who commands stages with intense energy. Regarding her standing in the broader entertainment landscape, iFANN's Global Fame Engine evaluated her profile in August 2026 but determined she currently holds no placement in the published rankings, including the Global Top 1,000 or any scope-specific top lists. She is not ranked among the world's most famous figures at this time, reflecting a gap between her high visibility within K-pop circles and the specific metrics required for a global ordinal position. Despite this lack of a numeric rank, her influence remains potent through verified milestones like her acting debut in Night on Earth and the widespread discussion surrounding her performance history. The absence of a formal solo fandom name further underscores that her fame operates primarily through the established framework of MIDZY rather than an independent celebrity sphere.[edit]

Ryujin's favorite ITZY track is 'NOBODY LIKE YOU,' a choice that highlights her deep connection to the group's discography. She possesses a tomboyish style and enjoys cooking galbijjim, often sharing these domestic interests alongside her fierce stage persona. Her cinematic taste leans toward Wes Anderson, with 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' listed as her favorite film, while her role models include the legendary Lee Hyori. She maintains close friendships with peers such as LOONA's HeeJin and HyunJin, Dreamcatcher's Jiu, and ALICE's Do-A. Beyond personal preferences, her legend includes several defining moments. A widely retold story involves a stage incident where she appeared to put her hand inside her pants; she later clarified via apology that the movement was an unintentional reaction to severe physical pain, sparking global conversation about idol scrutiny. Her transition into serious cinema marked another milestone when she announced her acting debut in November 2025 as the lead in the independent film Night on Earth. Fans also cherish her December 2023 solo music video for 'Run Away,' which showcased her emotional depth and narrative capabilities. These events, mixed with her four-year training grind before debuting in 2019, form the core of her mythology among MIDZY.[edit]

Ryujin was raised in Seoul with her parents and an older brother named Ryuseong (born 1998). Her family remains largely private; she has described her parents as supportive of her career. She owns two cats named Byullie and Dallie. Her family is not in the public eye, and she rarely shares details about them.[edit]

Ryujin is best known as a member of ITZY, alongside Yeji, Lia, Chaeryeong, and Yuna. She also gained early recognition through her appearance in BTS's 'Love Yourself' Highlight Reel and as a contestant on MIXNINE. [edit]

Ryujin has kept her romantic life private, and there are no confirmed public relationships. As a K-pop idol under JYP Entertainment, dating is often undisclosed. Rumors have circulated online about potential connections with other idols, but none have been substantiated by credible sources or official statements. As of 2026, Ryujin is reported to be single, with no known partner or children. She maintains close friendships with idols including LOONA's HeeJin and HyunJin, Dreamcatcher's Jiu, and ALICE's Do-A, but these are platonic.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Ryujin's net worth stands at $3 Million as of 2026, a figure derived from her extensive activities with the fourth-generation girl group ITZY. Her revenue streams are diversified across album sales, digital streaming numbers, and major concert tours, including the group's 2022–2026 world tour which generated significant income. Lucrative endorsement partnerships with brands such as Lotte Duty Free, Maybelline, and Reebok provide substantial financial backing, with members receiving a share of these deals. Additional earnings come from variety show appearances and merchandise sales, contributing to a steady financial trajectory since her debut. While JYP Entertainment's specific contract terms remain confidential, industry standards suggest successful idols in groups like ITZY accumulate substantial wealth over time. No independent business ventures, production companies, or major real-estate holdings have been publicly reported, and specific per-project salary figures remain undisclosed.[edit]