Zhou Jieqiong

Zhou Jieqiong is a Chinese singer and actress who first gained recognition as a member of the project girl group I.O.I. She finished sixth on the survival show Produce 101 in 2016, launching a career that later included membership in Pristin and its subgroup Pristin V. As of 2026, she has transitioned fully into acting, starring in several Chinese historical dramas.

Her solo discography includes the digital single "Why" (2018) and Chinese-language tracks like "Like a Dream" (2020) and "Tian Bian" (2021). She maintains a strong social media presence, with over 8 million followers on Weibo and 2.5 million on Instagram. Fans appreciate her elegant visual style and her ability to move between K-pop and Chinese entertainment industries.[edit]

Zhou Jieqiong was born in Tiantai County, Zhejiang Province, and began learning the pipa at age five. She won several national youth competitions in China for her pipa performances. Her family moved to Shanghai to support her artistic training, where she attended a performing arts school.

At 13, she was scouted by Pledis Entertainment during an audition in China. She moved to South Korea alone, training for about four years in singing, dancing, and Korean language. Her pipa skills set her apart from other trainees.

In 2016, she entered the Mnet survival show Produce 101 as a Pledis trainee. Her pipa performance during the show went viral in both China and Korea, drawing attention to her unique background. She finished in 6th place, securing a spot in the debut lineup of I.O.I.[edit]

Zhou Jieqiong debuted with I.O.I on May 4, 2016, with the EP Chrysalis. The group's singles "Dream Girls" and "Very Very Very" were commercial successes in South Korea. After I.O.I disbanded in January 2017, she rejoined Pledis and debuted with the permanent girl group Pristin on March 21, 2017, with the EP Hi! Pristin. She also became a member of the subgroup Pristin V, which released the single "Get It" in May 2018.

She made her solo debut on September 6, 2018, with the digital single "Why." After Pristin disbanded in May 2019, she shifted her focus to acting in China. She landed leading roles in historical dramas: Miss Truth (2020), Legend of Fei (2020), To Be With You (2021), Be My Princess (2022), and Romance in the Alley (2024). She also released Chinese singles such as "Like a Dream" (2020) and "Tian Bian" (2021). As of 2026, she continues to act in Chinese period dramas.[edit]

Zhou Jieqiong is known for her elegant and feminine style, often wearing hanbok-inspired modern fashion or chic minimalist outfits. In China, she is seen as a "national center" from I.O.I and a "goddess of ancient costume dramas." Her social media voice is warm and polite, posting mostly professional photos and behind-the-scenes clips. Fans appreciate her versatility in transitioning from K-pop idol to respected actress. She does not have an official individual fandom name; fans are collectively called Jieqiong's fans.[edit]

Zhou Jieqiong commands a global audience that spans continents, bridging the gap between K-pop's intense idol culture and China's booming historical drama market. Her presence is felt from Seoul variety stages to Beijing film sets, where her transition from a survival show contestant to a respected actress has solidified her standing as a cross-border cultural figure. Despite this widespread recognition, iFANN's Global Fame Engine evaluated Zhou in August 2026 and determined she does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings, including the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. She remains an EVALUATED_UNRANKED entity within the system, reflecting a career defined by high-profile group projects rather than a singular, dominant solo chart position at this specific moment. The fanbase surrounding Zhou Jieqiong operates without a formalized collective identity; no official fandom name exists in documented records. While she maintains millions of followers across social platforms like Weibo and Instagram, fans interact primarily through her studio channels and general appreciation for her versatility, lacking the organized rituals, named campaigns, or specific internal folklore seen in larger idol groups. Recent attention focused on her appearance at the I.O.I 10th-anniversary reunion sparked discussion among supporters, yet these moments remain part of the group's shared legacy rather than individual fan-driven myths.[edit]

Zhou Jieqiong first captured international attention with a viral performance of the pipa during Produce 101, showcasing a traditional skill rare for a modern idol. Her Korean stage name Kyulkyung serves as a phonetic approximation of her Chinese name, while her fluency in Mandarin, Korean, and basic English allows her to navigate diverse entertainment landscapes seamlessly. She appeared as a fixed cast member on popular Korean variety programs Knowing Bros and Master in the House, earning praise for her comedic timing. A beloved detail for fans is her pet dog, Mochi, who often appears in her personal updates. Beyond standard career milestones, a notable legend emerged during the I.O.I 10th-anniversary celebrations. After rumors circulated that she would skip the event due to prior absence from reunion discussions, Zhou made a surprise appearance at the venue. This gesture was widely interpreted by media and fans alike as a reflection of her enduring friendship with the original members, creating a narrative of loyalty that resonated deeply with those following her post-group activities. While no specific viral incidents define her solo career, her consistent return to the spotlight for such significant reunions has become a defining chapter in her public story.[edit]

Zhou Jieqiong has a younger brother. Her family has been supportive of her career, though she keeps them mostly out of the public eye. She has not publicly disclosed details about her parents' professions. As of 2026, she is not married and has no children.[edit]

Zhou Jieqiong frequently collaborated with fellow I.O.I members, especially Lim Na-young, Yu Yeon-jung, and Kim Se-jeong. She worked with Pledis Entertainment producers during her time in Pristin. In China, she co-starred with Wang Yibo in Legend of Fei and Li Hongyi in Be My Princess.[edit]

As of 2026, Zhou Jieqiong has no publicly confirmed romantic relationships. The only notable rumor was a brief dating speculation with actor Wang Sicong in 2020, based on them being seen together at an event, but both parties denied any romantic involvement, and no credible outlets confirmed it. She has never been married and has no children.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Zhou Jieqiong's net worth in 2026 stands at $2 Million. This financial estimate accounts for her diverse income streams, which include album sales and touring revenue generated during her tenure with I.O.I and Pristin between 2016 and 2019. Earnings from her solo digital single "Why" released in 2018, alongside Chinese-language tracks such as "Like a Dream" (2020) and "Tian Bian" (2021), contribute significantly to her portfolio. As she pivoted fully into acting by 2026, her fees for starring roles in Chinese historical dramas became a primary driver of wealth, reportedly ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 per project. Additional revenue flows from endorsement partnerships with beauty and fashion brands in China, as well as compensation for variety show appearances. No major business ventures or real estate holdings are publicly known to exist outside these established professional channels.[edit]