Shin Ji-min

Shin Ji-min
Jimin in 2019
Background information
Born{ (1991-01-08) January 8, 1991 (age 33)
Seongnam, South Korea
GenresK-pop
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
Years active2012–2020
2022–present
Labels
Formerly of
Websitefncent.com/JIMIN
Korean name
Hangul
신지민
Hanja
Revised RomanizationSin Jimin
McCune–ReischauerSin Chimin

Shin Ji-min (Korean신지민; born January 8, 1991), better known mononymously as Jimin, is a South Korean rapper and singer. She is the former leader and main rapper of the girl group AOA and guitarist of the sub-unit AOA Black, which debuted under FNC Entertainment. In 2015, Jimin was a semi-finalist in the first season of Unpretty Rapstar. During the show, she released several successful collaboration singles, most notably "Good Start" (with Seulong) and "Puss" (with Iron). Following allegations of bullying by former bandmate Kwon Mina, Jimin left the group and retired from the entertainment industry in July 2020.[2] She returned to the entertainment industry in July 2022.

Early life

Jimin was born on January 8, 1991, in Seongnam, Gyeonggi, South Korea.[3] She learned how to play the guitar, harmonica, and piano as a child.[4] From her second year of middle school to her first year of high school, she studied abroad at a Chinese language school for two years. While in China, she also attended a practical music school.[5][6]

Career

2012–2013: Debut with AOA

On July 30, 2012, Jimin made her debut as a leader of AOA on Mnet's M! Countdown with the song "Elvis" from their debut single album, Angels' Story.[7] She is also part of band unit AOA Black, established in 2013.[8]

2014–2016: Solo activities and Unpretty Rapstar

In early 2015, Jimin was part of the variety show Unpretty Rapstar, a spin-off of Show Me The Money. Unpretty Rapstar is a female rappers survival program. The show consists of a single-elimination competition through rap performances. During the show, Jimin released a few collaboration singles, such as "T4SA" with MC Meta and Nuck.[9] Her song with Seulong, "Good Start", was produced by Verbal Jint and peaked at number two on the Gaon Singles Chart.[10] "Puss", her rap battle song with rapper Iron during the semi-finals, peaked at number one on the Gaon Singles Chart.[11][12][13] She was also a cast member of the variety show Off to School for four episodes, beginning March 17, 2015.[14]

On April 28, Jimin and J.Don released the collaboration single "God". The song was produced by Rhymer of Brand New Music as part of FNC Entertainment's N Project.[15] The song's music video was based on Game of Thrones.[16]

Jimin debuted as a soloist on March 3, 2016, with the single "Call You Bae", featuring Exo's Xiumin.[13] The single is the first release of Jimin's solo project #OOTD (Outfit of the Day).[17]

2017–2020: Solo activities, bullying allegations and retirement from industry

In October 2017, Jimin released the single "Hallelujah", a Latin-pop influenced dance track, a collaboration with magazine W Korea.[18]

Jimin sung the OST for tvN's A Korean Odyssey together with Seo Yu-na, the song is called "If You Were Me" and it was released on January 28, 2018.[19]

On July 3, 2020, former AOA member Kwon Mina alleged in an Instagram post that Jimin had bullied her for a decade, which led to Kwon's withdrawal from the group in May 2019.[20] She posted a photo of her scarred wrist and claimed to have attempted suicide as a result of the bullying.[21] Jimin reportedly responded to the accusations by posting the word "fiction" to her Instagram Stories before deleting it shortly after. Kwon criticized the post, stating, "Fiction? It's too scary to say it's fiction."[22][23] The allegations led to Jimin's departure from the group and the halt of all her activities in the entertainment industry.[2]

On January 13, 2022, FNC Entertainment announced that Jimin's contract with the company has expired.[24]

2022–present: Return to the industry

After a two-year hiatus from the entertainment industry, it was announced on July 14, 2022, that Jimin had signed an exclusive contract with Alo Malo Entertainment, and will be making her return to the entertainment industry.[25] In August 2022, Jimin joined the cast of JTBC's The Second World, a survival show for girl-group rappers.[26]

In February 2023, Jimin released her extended play Boxes alongside its lead single "Symphathy".[27] In August 18, Jimin contract with Alo Malo Humane Entertainment expired.[28] In December 11, Jimin released single "Twinkle Little Star" through various online music sites.[29]

In April 13, 2024, Jimin released her music video for "Walking Talking", it comes with the message, "Travelogue of homebody (INFP) from the corner of her room, About my daily life that's lovely enough".[30]

Discography

Extended plays

Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[31]
Boxes 69

Singles

Title Year Peak chart
positions
Sales
(DL)
Album
KOR
Gaon

[33]
As lead artist
"Call You Bae"
(Jimin featuring Xiumin)
2016 5 Non-album singles
"Hallelujah" 2017
"Hey" 2018
"Symphathy" 2023 Boxes
"Twinkle Little Star" Non-album single
"Walking Talking" 2024
As featured artist
"Yahae"
(Kang Min-hee featuring Jimin)
2015 80 Non-album single
Collaboration
"God"
(Jimin with J.Don)
2015 38 Non-album single
Compilation appearances
"T4SA"
(Jimin with MC Meta and Nuck)
2015 50 Unpretty Rapstar
"Good Start"
(Jimin with Lim Seul-ong)
2
"Puss"
(Jimin with Iron)
1
"God"
(Jimin with J.Don)
38 Non-album single
"Bing Bing Bigroom" 2017 Mix and the City
Just One More
"Xtraordinary" (Dawn ver.) 2022 Second World
U-Go-Girl
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Soundtrack appearances

Title Year Album
"If You Were Me"
(Jimin and Yuna featuring Yoo Hwe-seung of N.Flying)
2018 A Korean Odyssey OST

Filmography

Television shows

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2013 Cheongdam-dong 111 Herself FNC Entertainment reality show [38]
2015 Unpretty Rapstar Contestant Semi-finalist [39]
Off to School Cast member Episode 36–39 [40]
Let's Go! Dream Team Regular cast Chinese version (with Chanmi) [citation needed]
2016 Bon Bun Olympic Contestant Lunar New Year Special Program [41]
2017 Sherlock's Room Main cast [42]
2022 The Second World Contestant [43]

Awards and nominations

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.
Melon Music Awards 2015 Hot Trend Award "Puss" (Jimin with Iron) Nominated [citation needed]

References

  1. ^ Park, So-young (March 16, 2023). "배우 이상우·AOA 신지민 한식구 됐다..전격 합병 [공식]" [Actor Lee Sang-woo and AOA Shin Ji-min became Korean family members.. Blitz merger [Official]] (in Korean). Osen. Retrieved March 16, 2023 – via Naver.
  2. ^ a b Ahn, Ha-na (July 5, 2020). 지민, AOA 탈퇴...FNC 측 "모든 연예 활동 중단"(공식). MBN Star (in Korean). Maeil Broadcasting Network. Archived from the original on July 22, 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  3. ^ "AOA Profile". FNC Entertainment. Archived from the original on March 2, 2014.
  4. ^ "Jimin (AOA)". KBS World Radio. Archived from the original on March 16, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
  5. ^ "'동상이몽' AOA 지민 "학생 때 중국으로 유배...공부 못했다"". Osen (in Korean). July 4, 2015. Archived from the original on July 2, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  6. ^ "지민, AOA 리더 고충 꺼내 "얄밉다" ... 누가?". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). July 23, 2015. Archived from the original on June 5, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  7. ^ Park HyunMin (September 2, 2012). "[Interview Part I] AOA Lands on Earth on Angel Wings and Guitars". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Archived from the original on April 8, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
  8. ^ Lee KyungNam (July 11, 2013). "AOA to Launch Band Unit AOA Black". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Archived from the original on April 8, 2016. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  9. ^ Bae Jae-ryeon (March 13, 2015). "지민 키썸 무대 'X싼 느낌' 대박케미 터지나". Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 11, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  10. ^ "2015년 11주차 Digital Chart". Gaon Music Chart. March 7, 2015. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  11. ^ "2015년 14주차 Digital Chart". Gaon Music Chart. March 28, 2015. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  12. ^ Hwang Hye-jin (March 18, 2015). "'Unpretty Rapstar' AOA's Jimin to Release Duet Song with Iron". Newsen. CJ E&M. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  13. ^ a b Son Ji-hyoung (February 26, 2016). "AOA's Jimin's new song features EXO's Xiumin". K-Pop Herald. Archived from the original on February 27, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  14. ^ Yoon Ho-jung (March 11, 2015). "AOA's Jimin, EXID's Hani, Eun Ji Won and More to Join 'I'm Going to School'". Newsen. CJ E&M. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  15. ^ Jin Min-ji (April 23, 2015). "AOA's Ji-min to release hip-hop track". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on April 6, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  16. ^ Ha, You-bin (April 28, 2015). "JIMIN N J.DON Release The Music Video Of 'GOD'". BNT News. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  17. ^ Bae Jung-yun (March 3, 2016). "AOA′s Jimin Achieves an All-Kill on Music Charts". BNT News. CJ E&M. Archived from the original on April 8, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  18. ^ Park Soo-in (October 25, 2017). ""솔로 컴백" AOA 지민, 작사·작곡 참여 '할렐루야' 공개 임박". Herald POP (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 28, 2017. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  19. ^ Kim Soo-kyung (January 25, 2018). "AOA 지민·유나X엔플라잉 유회승, tvN '화유기' OST 합류". TenAsia (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  20. ^ Lee, Jan (July 5, 2020). "K-pop girl group AOA's leader Jimin quits following allegations of bullying". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on July 6, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  21. ^ Kim, Seung-hyeon (July 3, 2020). 걸그룹 AOA '멤버 간 괴롭힘' 논란...권민아 "자해 시도도" VS 지민 "소설" 반박. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo Company. Archived from the original on July 3, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  22. ^ Yoon, Gi-baek (July 3, 2020). 권민아, AOA 지민 향해 사과 요구... 증거사진 공개까지 [전문]. Edaily (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 4, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  23. ^ "Former AOA member Mina instagrams evidence of self-harm in response to Jimin's denial of alleged bullying". Archived from the original on July 4, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  24. ^ Lee Deok-haeng (January 13, 2022). "AOA 출신 지민, FNC와 전속 계약 종료 "향후 행보 응원 부탁" [공식][전문]". Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 13, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  25. ^ Kim Soo-young (July 14, 2022). "AOA 출신 지민, 활동 재개한다..새 소속사와 전속계약 [공식]". Star News (in Korean). Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  26. ^ Park, Pan-seok (September 2, 2022). "'두번째세계' 유빈부터 신지민 8인, 캐릭터 포스터 공개..본격 서바이벌 시작" ['Second World', from Yubin to Shin Ji-min, 8 characters, character posters released..Full-scale survival begins] (in Korean). Osen. Retrieved September 25, 2022 – via Naver.
  27. ^ "신지민, 첫 앨범 '박시스' 발매...작사·작곡 참여". topstarnews (in Korean). February 22, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  28. ^ "신지민 전속계약 종료, 알로말로 휴메인 측 "앞으로의 활동 응원할 것"". breaknews (in Korean). August 18, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  29. ^ "신지민 팬미팅, 내년으로 연기 "부득이한 사정으로..미안하고 죄송한 마음"". Herald POP (in Korean). Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  30. ^ "지민 (JIMIN) - WALKING TALKING MV". Youtube (in Korean). April 13, 2024. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  31. ^ "Boxes (2023)". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  32. ^ "Circle Album Chart – Week 8, 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  33. ^ Peak chart positions on Gaon Digital Chart:
    Collaborations
    • "T4SA". March 8, 2015. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
    • "Good Start". March 1, 2015. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
    • "Puss". March 22, 2015. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
    • "God". April 26, 2015. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
    As lead artist As featured artist
    • "Yahae". July 19, 2015. Archived from the original on April 2, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  34. ^ "2016 Yearly Gaon Download Chart". Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  35. ^ "2015년 31주차 Download Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). July 19, 2015. Archived from the original on November 25, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  36. ^ "Circle Chart" 2015년 03월 Download Chart [March 2015 Download Chart] (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on November 25, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  37. ^ "Circle Chart" 2015년 Download Chart [2015 Download Chart] (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on January 11, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  38. ^ Jackson, Julie (November 18, 2013). "'Cheongdamdong 111' captures K-pop stars off the stage". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on November 18, 2013. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  39. ^ Hong Se-young (January 12, 2015). "'언프리티 랩스타', 국내 최초 女래퍼 서바이벌... 29일 첫 방송". Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  40. ^ Hwang So-young (March 3, 2015). "[단독] 전현무·하니·지민 등 6人, '학교다녀오겠습니다' 전학생 합류". TV Report (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  41. ^ Won Ho-jung (February 11, 2016). "Networks' pilot programs hit and miss during Seollal". K-Pop Herald. Archived from the original on February 12, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  42. ^ Park Soo-jung (July 4, 2017). ""소재는 참신했으나..." '셜록의방', 1.4%로 아쉬운 시청률". Herald POP (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  43. ^ Kim Ye-eun (August 8, 2022). "유빈·신지민·미미·문수아...'두 번째 세계' 래퍼 8人 공개" [Yubin, Shin Ji-min, Mimi, Moon Soo-ah... 8 rappers from 'Second World' revealed] (in Korean). X-ports News. Retrieved August 8, 2022 – via Naver.