(G)I-DLE is ready to make their second 2024 comeback with a mini album, I Sway. Before the album’s release, we look at profiles of (G)I-DLE’s members and how the K-pop girl group carved their path to success despite not being from any of the famous agencies.
Cube Entertainment’s (G)I-DLE debuted in 2018 with six members, including Miyeon, Minnie, Soyeon, Yuqi, Shuhua, and Soojin. The group officially introduced itself with the single “Latata,” which is considered one of the most iconic girl group debut songs ever.
While (G)I-DLE hails from a relatively small agency, Cube Entertainment, they made their own place in K-pop by showing original songwriting power and phenomenal live stages. The group’s fierceness and creative concepts impressed K-pop fans. Since its debut, (G)I-DLE has experimented with diverse themes and continues to surprise its fans.
Profiles of (G)I-DLE members
(G)I-DLE started with six members, but only five remain after Soojin’s departure in 2021. In June 2024, another member, Soyeon, announced her temporary hiatus due to health conditions. While Soyeon may not participate in the current activities, she will continue participating in (G)I-DLE’s creative process.
Here, we explore the in-depth profiles of each (G)I-DLE member and how their career has transformed since their debut.
Soyeon
Jeon Soyeon is the leader and the main rapper of (G)I-DLE. She is also the center of the group and a sub-vocalist. Since her debut with (G)I-DLE, the 26-year-old member has garnered praise for her enigmatic stage presence as the center of (G)I-DLE songs.
In addition to her group activities, Soyeon joined the unique SM Station X girl group project with Seulgi, SinB, and Chungha. The group released the song “Wow Thing” in 2018. Before joining (G)I-DLE, Soyeon wanted to be a Hip-hop artist and participated in the reality show Unpretty Rapstar 3. She ranked third in the competition.
Miyeon
(G)I-DLE’s Miyeon almost debuted with YG’s famous K-pop act, Blackpink, but the agency changed the formation at the last moment. She debuted with (G)I-DLE as the main vocalist and visual star of the group.
Besides her group activities, the 27-year-old songstress also made her solo debut in 2022 with the song “Drive.” She also released the extended play ‘My’ in the same year, which sold over 100,000 units within a week of its release. Miyeon’s debut EP, My, peaked on the Circle Album Chart at number 4.
Minnie
Another 1997-born K-pop artist, Minnie, is originally from Thailand. She joined (G)I-DLE as the group’s main vocalist. The singer is very close with famous Thai idols, including Blackpink Lisa, GOT7 Bambam, CLC’s Sorn, and more.
Apart from (G)I-DLE activities, Minnie surprised fans by announcing her collaboration with famous Pop star Anne Marie for the 2023 single “Expectations.” The song garnered over 10 million views and ranked 55 on the Circle Digital Chart.
Yuqi
The multi-national K-pop group (G)I-DLE also features Chinese star Yuqi. The 25-year-old icon is the leading dancer of the girl group. Yuqi has participated in several variety shows outside of Korea. She was a cast member of China’s Running Man.
After years of waiting, Yuqi finally made her solo debut in 2023 with YUQ1. The EP stunned the listeners, selling over 627,781 copies within a week of its release. It peaked at number 2 on South Korea’s Circle Album Chart. Later, the album also snagged the KMCA 2× Platinum certification.
Shuhua
Taiwanese K-pop star Shuhua is the youngest member of (G)I-DLE. Before her debut, she appeared in the Rising Legends CUBE x SOOMPI promotional video. Shuhua’s journey in K-pop started with an audition in Taiwan, where she was selected by Cube Entertainment.
(G)I-DLE’s former member Soojin has also started anew after leaving the group. She returned to the music scene as a solo artist with the release of her first EP, 아가씨 (AGASSY), on November 8, 2023.
Meanwhile, (G)I-DLE gears up for a world tour and a mini comeback with their forthcoming EP, I Sway. The girl group will start their world tour in August, followed by the release of the mini-album.