Min-ji Kim
Born 2004 · Age 21
South Korean singer known mononymously as Minji; leader and member of K-pop girl group NewJeans (debut 2022) under ADOR/Hybe. Songwriter, brand ambassador (Chanel), and frequent chart- and award-winner.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Chuncheon, South Korea
Kim Min-ji was born in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, South Korea.
Elementary homestay in Canada (learned English)
Studied abroad as a homestay transfer student during elementary school and learned English.
Received agency recruitment interest in middle school
While in middle school received numerous business cards from entertainment agencies (including SM Entertainment).
Joined Source Music as a trainee
Began trainee period at Source Music (predecessor trainee affiliation before HYBE/ADOR period).
Source Music acquired by Hybe Corporation
The company that employed Minji as a trainee, Source Music, was acquired by Hybe Corporation in 2019.
Featured as 'The Girl' for HYBE Plus Global Auditions
Pre-debut, Minji served as the face of HYBE's 2019 Plus Global Auditions, known as 'The Girl' in promotional material.
Cameo in BTS 'Permission to Dance' music video
Made a cameo appearance in BTS' 'Permission to Dance' MV alongside groupmate Hanni.
Credited lyricist on 'Ditto'
Minji is credited as a lyricist on NewJeans' song 'Ditto' (registered with KMCA and noted in song credits).
Selected as ADOR/NewJeans trainee (first trainee for NewJeans)
Chosen as ADOR's first trainee for the project that became NewJeans (pre-debut selection reported in profiles and interviews).
NewJeans follow-up singles released
Group released subsequent singles including 'Hype Boy', 'OMG', and 'Ditto' which rapidly increased the group's popularity.
NewJeans debut EP pre-orders reported (first three days)
Profiles report NewJeans' debut EP had strong pre-order sales (blog cites ~440,000 copies in first three days).
Debut single 'Attention' charts on US Spotify
'Attention' entered the US Spotify chart (blog cites a #183 placement), marking early international traction.
Debuted with NewJeans — 'Attention' music video surprise release
Debuted as a member of NewJeans when ADOR/Hybe surprise-released the music video for debut single 'Attention'.
Special MC at KCON Japan
Appeared as one of the special MCs at KCON Japan alongside Junki Kono (JO1) and Hwang Min-hyun (NU'EST).
Top of brand reputation rankings (K-pop)
Minji topped South Korea's brand reputation rankings for K-pop artists (reported in January 2023 and cited multiple times).
'Ditto' achieves Perfect All-Kill (reported peak PAKs)
Profiles/blogs report 'Ditto' reached an exceptional Perfect All-Kill (blog cites 655 PAKs) — a major chart milestone in Korea.
'Ditto' wins Song of the Year (multiple awards)
'Ditto' won Song of the Year at major Korean award shows (MAMA Awards, Melon Music Awards, Golden Disc Awards, Asia Artist Awards — reported across 2023 ceremonies).
Named face of Seoul Jazz Festival and featured in magazines
Since 2023 Minji has been associated as the face of the Seoul Jazz Festival and appeared in related magazine covers and special editions.
'Ditto' enters Billboard Hot 100
'Ditto' became NewJeans' first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 (reported Jan 18, 2023).
Graduated Hanlim Multi Art School
Completed studies at Hanlim Multi Art School (graduation reported February 2023).
Appointed Chanel Korea ambassador (beauty, fashion, watches & jewelry)
Chanel Korea announced Minji as brand ambassador across beauty, fashion, and watches & jewelry—the first person named ambassador for all three categories simultaneously.
NewJeans wins 6 awards at Asia Artist Awards
NewJeans took home multiple awards at the 2023 Asia Artist Awards; coverage lists NewJeans as 6-time winners that night.
Leader role publicly acknowledged
Profiles and press note Minji as the leader of NewJeans (role acknowledged in group materials and press coverage since debut).
NewJeans international milestones and continued awards (ongoing)
Group continued to set records and win major awards through 2023–2024; Minji remained a central member and beneficiary of group success.
Reported global Chanel ambassadorship (press/blog claim)
Some press/blog sources report Minji was named a global ambassador for Chanel in January 2024 (elevating role beyond Chanel Korea).
NewJeans fanmeeting at Tokyo Dome (reported)
Blog sources claim NewJeans staged a Tokyo Dome fanmeeting 'Bunnies Camp 2024' — a rapid achievement for a group debuting 2022 (reported by secondary sources).
Credited on non-album single 'Supernatural' (songwriting/credits listed)
Song credits list Minji among writers/credits for the 2024 non-album single 'Supernatural' (KMCA / song credit listings).
Revealed older brother attends Kyung Hee University (personal reveal)
During a performance at a university-hosted music festival, Minji revealed she has an older brother attending Kyung Hee University (coverage May 2024).
Appeared in National Election Commission youth voting campaign
Participated in a March 2024 video campaign encouraging younger generations to vote in the 22nd legislative election (broadcast across platforms).
W Korea special edition cover for Seoul Jazz Festival (2024)
Appeared on the cover of W Korea's special edition for the 2024 Seoul Jazz Festival (Vogue Korea coverage references this appearance).
Reported departure of NewJeans from ADOR (blog claim)
Some blog coverage alleged NewJeans left ADOR in December 2024 due to corporate conflict; this is an unconfirmed/controversial claim in non-primary sources.
Key Achievement Ages
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