Minzy
Minzy in 2020
Born
Gong Min-ji

(1994-01-18) January 18, 1994 (age 30)
Seoul, South Korea
EducationBaekseok University
Occupations
  • Singer
  • dancer
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2009–present
Labels
Formerly of
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationGong Min-ji
McCune–ReischauerKong Minchi
Signature
Signature of Minzy

Gong Min-ji (Korean: 공민지; born January 18, 1994),[1] better known by her stage name Minzy, is a South Korean singer, rapper, and dancer. She debuted in 2009 as a member of South Korean girl group 2NE1, which became one of the best-selling girl groups worldwide before her departure in April 2016.[2] She released her first solo EP, Minzy Work 01: "Uno", in April 2017.[3] On November 20, 2020, Minzy made her debut in the Philippines with the Tagalog version of her single "Lovely".

Early life

Minzy was born in Seoul, South Korea on January 18, 1994. She is the granddaughter of folk dancer Gong Ok-jin and, through her, a descendant of Confucius. When she was young, she moved to Gwangju with her family, but then her mother brought Minzy and her sister back to Seoul while traveling between Seoul and Gwangju to work with Minzy's father. She participated in many dance contests and competitions, winning various awards. A video of her at a dance competition in Gwangju was uploaded onto the Internet and became popular with many people sending praise for her ability to dance. This video was then uploaded onto YG's homepage, whereupon the CEO, Yang Hyun-suk, contacted and recruited her to join the agency when she was only in sixth grade.[4]

Career

2009–2016: 2NE1

Minzy at a YG Family Press Conference in Singapore in September 2014

YG Entertainment stated in early 2009 that they would be debuting a new four-member group that had been training for four years and that their debut album would contain songs produced by 1TYM's leader Teddy Park and G-Dragon of Big Bang. The group's name was initially announced as "21"; however, due to the discovery of a singer with the same name, the group was renamed "2NE1", with "NE" being an abbreviation of "New Evolution". Minzy was placed in 2NE1 as the main dancer, alongside Park Bom, Sandara Park and CL.[5] The group went on to debut with their first single "Fire" in May 2009, with Minzy being the youngest member at just 15 years old. On November 20, 2009, CL and Minzy released a digital single, "Please Don't Go".

In October 2015, while 2NE1 was on hiatus, Minzy founded her own dance studio named the "Millennium Dance Academy" as a personal project, unconnected to YG Entertainment.[6] The studio is based in Seoul, South Korea.

Minzy officially left the group and the group's agency, YG Entertainment, on April 5, 2016. Because of this, she did not take part in 2NE1's last song "Goodbye", released on January 21, 2017.[7][8]

2016–present: Solo career and MZ Entertainment

In May 2016, Minzy signed with CJ E&M's subsidiary label Music Works.[9][10][11] It was revealed that Minzy is currently preparing for her solo album and is interested in trying out different types of music and doesn't want to limit herself to one specific genre. Music Works stated, "We are focusing on producing a first solo album which can portray all of Gong Minzy's talent and potential. We will continue the preparations without being chased by time".

On January 17, 2017, a representative from KBS revealed that Minzy has been confirmed as a cast member of the second season of Sister's Slam Dunk together with Kim Sook, Hong Jin-kyung, Kang Ye-won, Han Chae-young, Hong Jin-young and Jeon So-mi. The show aired its first broadcast on February 10, where Minzy was appointed to become the main singer, main dancer, dance tutor, and choreographer for the second generation of Unnies by legendary producer and composer Kim Hyung Suk (mentor of JYP), and was voted as leader of the group on the third episode. She is also qualified to be the team's rap teacher, but due to her heavy workload, the role went to LA-born newcomer KillaGramz. In episode 12, she was named the rapping director as Kim Hyung Suk has no rapping knowledge, and named Hong Jin-young as the sole rapper of the group, with Jeon So-mi the rap lyricist for "Right?". In March 2017, Minzy released her first solo single, "I Wanted To Love" as the soundtrack of the MBC drama The Rebel[12]

On April 17, 2017, Minzy released her solo debut EP, Minzy Work 01. "Uno", along with title track "Ninano".[13] The EP debuted at number 2 on the Billboard World Albums Chart as the highest-ranking debut before it fell to number 9 in the second week.[14] On September 28, Minzy announced she would go on tour in North America, however the tour got postponed and then cancelled due to her working on new music.[15][16][unreliable source?] On December 1, 2018, Minzy released her first English language solo single, "All of You Say".[17]

On April 17, 2020, Minzy left Music Works after her legal dispute was settled.[18] On May 24, 2020, Minzy released her single "Lovely", her first released as an independent artist.[19] In October 2020, Minzy founded her own company MZ Entertainment and will carry out her future activities on her future agency.[20] A month later, Minzy signed with Viva Entertainment for her musical activities in the Philippines. She released the Tagalog version of her single "Lovely" on November 20, 2020.[21]

Minzy with US Deputy Secretary Wendy Sherman in a climate change event with Korean youth in Seoul, July 2021

On June 6, 2021, MZ Entertainment announced that Minzy is planning for a comeback with a new single in July.[22] The new single, titled "Teamo", was released on July 11.[23] On December 12, 2021, Minzy released her new single "Fantabulous".[24]

Personal life

In August 2017, Minzy graduated from Baekseok University magna cum laude from the Department of Theology.[25]

Discography

For Minzy's works with 2NE1, see 2NE1 discography.

For Minzy's works with Unnies, see Unnies discography.

Extended plays

Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
Gaon
[26] 		NZ
Heat
[27] 		US
Heat
[28] 		US
World
[29]
Minzy Work 01: "Uno" 10 10 21 2

Singles

Title Year Peak chart
positions 		Sales Album
KOR
Gaon
[31] 		US
World
[32]
Korean
"Please Don't Go"[33]
(with CL) 		2009 30 — — To Anyone
"Ninano" (니나노)
(featuring Flowsik) 		2017 44 18 Minzy Work 01: Uno
"Lovely"[A] 2020 —[B] — — Non-album singles
"Teamo" 2021 —[C] 6
"Fantabulous" (기깔나) —[D] —
English
"All of You Say" 2018 — — — Non-album single
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Soundtrack appearances

Title Year Album
"I Wanted to Love" 2017 The Rebel
"I Miss You" (보고 싶다)
(With Sohyang) 		The King of Mask Singer Episode 105
"Sick and Sick Name..." (아프고 아픈 이름...)
"Walking" (걸어가) 2018 Partners for Justice
"My Everything" 2021 The Playlist
"As I Told You"
(with Taeil) 		Watcha Original <Double Trouble> Episode.1 Black Swan
"Must Have Love"
(with Inseong) 		2022 Watcha Original <Double Trouble> Episode.2 Crown
"Energetic"
(with Inseong) 		Watcha Original <Double Trouble> Episode.3 Sporty
"When We Disco"
(with Jang Hyun-seung) 		Watcha Original <Double Trouble> Episode.4 Legend Duet
"Me Gustas Tu"
(with Taeil) 		Watcha Original <Double Trouble> Episode.5 History

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2022 Lovely Voice: The Beginning Musical Film [39]

Television shows

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2017 Sister's Slam Dunk Cast member
King of Mask Singer Contestant As "A Richly-toned Perilla Leaf Girl" [40]
2021 South Korean Foreigners
Wild Idol Trainer Corps [41]
2022 The Origin – A, B, Or What? Judge [42]
9low On Top Thai audition program [43]

Web shows

Year Title Role Ref.
2021 Double Trouble Contestant [44]

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by 2NE1
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
Korea Grand Prize Awards 2021 10 People Who Shined Korea – Artist Award Minzy Won [45]

Notes

  1. ^ "Lovely (Filipino Version)" was released as a digital single on November 20, 2020.[35]
  2. ^ "Lovely" didn't enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked at number 71 on the component BGM chart.[36]
  3. ^ "Teamo" didn't enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked at number 55 on the component Download chart.[37]
  4. ^ "Fantabulous" didn't enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked at number 181 on the component Download chart.[38]

References

  1. ^ Russell, Mark (2014). K-Pop Now!: The Korean Music Revolution. Tuttle Publishing. p. 77. ISBN 978-1-4629-1411-1. Archived from the original on May 27, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  2. ^ Suacillo, Angela Patricia (December 12, 2021). "Former 2NE1 member Minzy unveils new single, 'Fantabulous'". NME. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  3. ^ Herman, Tamar (April 19, 2017). "Former 2NE1 Member Minzy Debuts as Soloist With 'Minzy Work 01 Uno' EP". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  4. ^ "Yg Entertainment". Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  5. ^ Jeff Benjamin (April 6, 2016). "Why Minzy was always 2NE1'S secret weapon". fuse.tv. Archived from the original on June 29, 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  6. ^ 김, 예나 (October 5, 2015). "투애니원 공민지, 댄스 아카데미 YG 별개로 운영". TV Report (in Korean). (주)티비리포트. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  7. ^ Tamar Herman (April 5, 2016). "K-Pop Group 2NE1 Becomes Trio Following Departure of Minzy". billboard.com. Archived from the original on June 25, 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  8. ^ E. Alex Jung (April 5, 2016). "It's a Sad Day in K-Pop: Minzy Leaves 2NE1". vulture.com. Archived from the original on June 18, 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  9. ^ Lord Justin Castillo (April 16, 2016). "Minzy reportedly to have a new record label". newseveryday.com. Archived from the original on July 2, 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  10. ^ Maolen E. (May 18, 2016). "Ex-2NE1 member Minzy officially signs new record deal with Music Works". yibada.com. Archived from the original on June 23, 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  11. ^ Ash Krater (May 16, 2016). "2NE1 Ex-Member Minzy Puts YG Entertainment Behind Her, Officially Signs With Music Works". designntrend.com. Archived from the original on June 22, 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  12. ^ 인용
  13. ^ Park, Sae-jin (April 17, 2017). "Former 2NE1 member Minzy debuts solo with 'NINANO'". ajudaily. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  14. ^ Benjamin, Jeff (April 26, 2017). "Minzy Sends Debut Solo EP to World, Heatseekers Albums Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 23, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  15. ^ Kim Myung-mi (September 28, 2018). "공민지, 첫 솔로 북미투어 확정..10개 지역 찾는다(공식입장)". Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  16. ^ "Minzy dedicates a handwritten letter about the postponement of her 'North America Dance Break Tour'". allkpop. November 2018. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  17. ^ Kim, Jae-min (December 3, 2018). "Minzy releases first English single "All of You Say"". www.koreaherald.com. Archived from the original on September 3, 2019. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  18. ^ "공민지, 소속사와 계약 분쟁 마무리 "자유 얻었다"". Yonhap News. April 17, 2020.
  19. ^ "3년 공백기 깨고 'LOVELY' 솔로로 돌아온 공민지". ENews24. Archived from the original on July 10, 2021. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  20. ^ 김, 효정 (October 22, 2020). "공민지, MZ엔터테인먼트 설립…"총괄이사로 후배 양성"". Yonhap News. Archived from the original on July 10, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  21. ^ Severo, Jan Milo (November 14, 2020). "'Mabuhay, Minzy': Former 2NE1 member to launch a music career in Philippines". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  22. ^ Kim Na-young (June 6, 2021). "공민지, 7월 컴백 확정…화려한 퍼포먼스 예고". Maekyung Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 6, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  23. ^ Yoon Seong-yeol (June 23, 2021). "공민지, 1년만에 가수 컴백..7월 11일 'TEAMO' 발매 [공식]" [Minji Gong, comeback as a singer after a year..July 11th release of 'TEAMO' [Official]]. Naver (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on July 10, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  24. ^ Yoon Seong-yeol (November 30, 2021). "[단독]공민지, 5개월만에 전격 컴백..12월 12일 '기깔나' 발표" [[Exclusive] Minji Gong, comeback after 5 months..December 12th release of 'Fantabulous'] (in Korean). MT Star News. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  25. ^ "백석대, 2017학년도 후기졸업식…2NE1 공민지 대표로 학위증서 받아". Asia Today (in Korean). August 17, 2018. Archived from the original on June 6, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  26. ^ "Gaon Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 26, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  27. ^ "NZ Heatseekers: Minzy Work 01: Uno". Archived from the original on May 7, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  28. ^ "Top Heatseekers: Minzy Work 01: Uno". Archived from the original on January 14, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  29. ^ "World Albums: Minzy Work 01: Uno". Archived from the original on April 29, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  30. ^ 2017년 04월 Album Chart [April 2017 Album Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 15, 2017. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  31. ^ Peak chart positions for singles in South Korea:
  32. ^ "Minzy Chart History: World Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  33. ^ "CL, 민지 - Please Don't Go (Digital Single)" (in Korean). Melon. Archived from the original on May 25, 2020. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  34. ^ "2017년 16주차 Download Chart (2017.04.16~2017.04.22)" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on May 26, 2020. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  35. ^ "Minzy Lovely (Tagalog Version) - single (Apple Music)". November 20, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  36. ^ 2020년 22주차 BGM Chart [Week 22 of 2020 BGM Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  37. ^ 2021년 29주차 Download Chart [Week 29 of 2021 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  38. ^ 2021년 51주차 Download Chart [Week 51 of 2021 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  39. ^ Lee Jae-hoon (February 18, 2022). "2AM 진운·AOA 혜정·원걸 유빈·2NE1 공민지, 뮤지컬영화 캐스팅" [2AM Jinwoon, AOA Hyejeong, Wongirl Yubin, 2NE1 Gong Minji, cast for musical movie] (in Korean). NEWSIS. Retrieved February 18, 2022 – via Naver.
  40. ^ Kim Mi-hwa (April 2, 2017). "'복면가왕' 깻잎소녀는 공민지..2NE1아닌 솔로 첫무대". Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 3, 2017. Retrieved April 2, 2017.
  41. ^ Jang Woo-young (August 20, 2021). "[단독] 샤이니 민호·공민지, '야생돌' 트레이너 군단 합류" [[Exclusive] SHINee's Minho and Gong Minji join the 'wild idol' trainer corps]. OSEN (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  42. ^ Ha Kyung-heon (February 16, 2022). "카카오TV-MBN 오디션 '디 오리진', 김성규-공민지-제이비 등 심사위원 라인업 공개" [Kakao TV-MBN audition ‘The Origin’, Kim Seong-gyu, Gong Min-ji, JB, etc. Judge lineup revealed] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Retrieved February 16, 2022 – via Naver.
  43. ^ Jeon Hyo-jin (July 21, 2022). "김우석·이진혁, 태국 남자 그룹 뽑는다…심사위원 발탁" [Kim Woo-seok and Lee Jin-hyuk to choose a male group from Thailand… Selection of judges] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Retrieved July 21, 2022 – via Naver.
  44. ^ Kim Ji-hye (November 17, 2021). "더블 트러블' 임슬옹·장현승부터 공민지·효린·초아까지..10인 라인업 공개" [From ‘Double Trouble’ Lim Seulong and Jang Hyunseung to Gong Minji, Hyorin, and Choa..10 lineup revealed] (in Korean). Herald POP. Retrieved November 17, 2021 – via Naver.
  45. ^ "공민지, 아티스트 상 수상 하러 왔어요 [포토엔HD]" [Minji Gong, I'm here to receive the Artist Award [PhotonHD]]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. November 11, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2022.

External links

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