Kang Ji-hyun (born February 12, 1992), known professionally as Soyou, is a South Korean singer. She is best known as a former member of the South Korean girl group Sistar.
Early life and education
Soyou was born on February 12, 1992,[1] in Jeju Island, South Korea. Before debuting, she was a licensed hairdresser and worked in a hair salon.[2] Soyou was known as a Cube Entertainment trainee, who was originally supposed to debut as a member of 4Minute.[3] Soyou has said that she didn't make it into the group because she was lacking in many ways and was originally supposed to be in Sohyun's place.[4] Instead, Soyou auditioned for Starship Entertainment, singing a cover of Navi's "On The Road", and after her traineeship, she debuted as a member of Sistar in June 2010.[5] The group gained significant popularity after the release of their hit single "So Cool" in 2011.[6]
Soyou pursued her middle school at Mullae Middle School and completed high school at the Korean Arts High School with a specialization in theater and film.[7] In 2012, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Applied Music degree from Sungshin Women's University.[8]
Career
2010–2017: Original soundtracks, collaborations and Sistar disbandment
In August 2010, Soyou collaborated with Kan Jongwoo of J2 for the soundtrack for the drama Gloria. In September, she also sang a soundtrack for MBC's drama Playful Kiss. The song is titled "Should I Confess".[9]
In November 2012, Soyou sang a duet with hip-hop duo Geeks. The song "Officially Missing You, Too" is a remake of Tamia's song of the same title. It is a part of Geeks' project album, Re;Code Episode 1.[10] She also collaborated with fellow label mates, K.Will and Boyfriend's Jeongmin, for Starship Planet's yearly holiday release, titled "White Love".[11]
In September 2013, it was revealed that Soyou and Mad Clown would release a duet called "Stupid in Love" on the 10th.[12]
In February 2014, Soyou and Junggigo released a duet called "Some".[13]
In January 2015, it was revealed that Soyou, together with Lee Hanee and Kim Jungmin, would be the new MCs of beauty tip program Get It Beauty. The new MCs' first episode aired on February 4, 2015.[14]
In May 2017, Sistar released their last single "Lonely".[17] The group performed their most successful summer hits – "Touch My Body", "Shake It", "Loving U", "I Swear" and also their last song "Lonely" on four major music shows, before concluding the schedule on Inkigayo on June 4, 2017 and officially disbanding.[18]
In August 2017, Soyou was featured as the vocalist on Primary's song "Right?".[19]
After Sistar disbanded in June 2017, Soyou debuted her solo career under Starship Entertainment.[20] She was featured on K.Will's fourth album Part.1 Nonfiction, for the B-side track titled "Let Me Hear You Say", released on September 26.[21][22] She released a collaboration track titled "Monitor Girl" with Geeks' Louie on October 26, it was their second collaboration since "Officially Missing You, Too" in 2012.[23] On November 16, Soyou released "I Still" with Sung Si-kyung as pre-release track for her upcoming solo album.[24] On November 28, Soyou was confirmed to become an MC for a new beauty program of JTBC titled SoyouXHani's Beauty View, which began airing on December 28.[25] On December 13, Soyou released the first part of her solo album titled Re:Born with the single "The Night" featuring rapper duo Geeks and produced by Primary.[26]
A year and nine months after her last release, Soyou released "Gotta Go" on June 28, 2020.[27] The song is a reggaeton, dance hall style song and was accompanied by a music video, released through Starship Entertainment's YouTube channel.[28][29]
After eight months, Starship Entertainment announced that Soyou is gearing up for her next comeback on March 11, 2021. Soyou's new single "Good Night My Love" was reportedly written by Lee Hyori and composed by Babylon.[30]
On September 8, Soyou decided not to renew her contract with Starship Entertainment.[31] Later on September 29, Soyou signed with BPM Entertainment.[32]
On March 1, 2022, BPM Entertainment announced Soyou would hold her first solo concert 'THE LIVE: NIGHT' on April 2 and 3.[33] On April 27, Soyou released her third EP Day & Night, with the lead single "Business", featuring Be'O.[34]
2024–present: Business venture
On July 31, Soyou established the corporation 'So & You,' wherein she was able to launch in November the whiskey-based 'So Whiskey Highball' and the high-alcohol-based 'So Goryangju Highball' in cans.[35]
Other ventures
Ambassadorship
In July 2014, Soyou became the promotional ambassador for the JTBC Seoul Marathon event, attended by 20,000 participants. Chosen by the event coordinator, Soyou's passion for running and commitment to self-care through exercise resonated with the event's theme, "Run As I Am."[36]
In September 2018, Soyou became the public relations ambassador for the Seoul branch of the Korean Red Cross, appointed by its Chairman. She has been supporting the Seoul branch since 2015, aiding underprivileged groups like undernourished children, child-headed households, elderly individuals living alone, and multicultural families.[37]
Endorsements
In September 2014, Soyou collaborated with the "비커즈 (bcuz)" brand, known for its "wrap jeans," a popular fashion item at the time.[38] She continued her promotions with the brand, which had become a household name for its sportswear, by introducing and releasing new products for its 2015 S/S season.[39] In June 2015, Soyou teamed up with Sung Si-kyung as endorsers for CJ CheilJedang's 'Bibigo Wanggyoja,' a side dish ideal for pairing with beer. The duo filmed TV commercials and advertisements together.[40]
In July 2017, she was chosen as a model for GRN's health supplement products. She specifically endorsed well-known celebrity diet products such as Green Tea Catechins and Mister Red Power Up.[41] In the following years, Soyou continued promoting the brand, later adding their anti-aging supplement products to her list of endorsements, before parting ways at the end of 2021.[42] Later in 2017, Soyou, a singer born in Jeju, was selected by E'Mart as their endorser for their new liquor product called "Blue Night," which originated from Jeju. As part of the promotion, she released the single "Blue Nights of Jeju Island" alongside commercials and remained an active endorser until 2019.[43]
In September 2018, she participated as an endorser in Lotte Rental's summer vacation season exhibition for their lifestyle platform "MYOMEE." The platform allows users to rent a variety of products and goods necessary for traveling through their app for a reasonable period of time.[44]
In May 2020, the food corporation "Cookat" launched their new PB (Private Brand) products, 'Mukbang Tteokbokki Chicken Feet' and 'Grilled Chicken Tail Bones.' The launch is in collaboration with Soyou, who is one of the entertainment industry's leading 'chicken feet enthusiasts'. Soyou participated in the entire product development process such as recipe development, package design, and product capacity setting.[45] In March 2021, Soyou, alongside Iz*One, was selected as Pepsi Zero Sugar's 2021 K-POP partners, releasing the single 'ZERO: ATTITUDE' as part of the 'Pepsi 2021 K-POP Campaign.'[46]
Later in August 2021, Soyou, along with comedian Yoo Se-yoon, was selected as an endorser for the 'healthy active vacation' campaign by Frip, a tourism venture founded by the Korea Tourism Organization.[47] In September 2023, Saint Satin selected Soyou as the brand's exclusive model for their Fret Acupressure Slippers, which can be worn all year round, and Fret's Indoor shoes that prevent noise between floors.[48]
In March 2024, Soyou filmed commercials promoting the beverage 'Refreshingly Empty Barrel Light' (hereinafter referred to as Barrel Light) by Donghwa Pharmaceutical, a functional beverage product for constipation.[49] In May, Soyou was selected by BlingU Co., Ltd. as the endorser of their "calf and shoulder massager" product, which was first introduced by the home appliance brand "Iyuz" and has been the top pick in the Korean Consumer Preferred Brands of small massagers.[50] In October 2024, Soyou endorsed the "30-Second Quick Bubble Mask" product by the skincare brand "Menokin," a brand that has grown more than three times since its launch in 2023.[51]
Philanthropy
In May 2017, Soyou donated ₩10 million won to the Korean Red Cross to support the underprivileged. On the same day, the organization revealed that she had been a part of the "Philanthropy and Culture Committee" of the Seoul branch since 2015, a group composed solely of high-value donors.[52] In the following year, she was recognized as part of their 'Seoul Red Cross Pine Tree Club,' which is composed of individuals with cumulative donations totaling more than ₩30 million won.[53]
In January 2018, Soyou held a flea market at Cure Coffee Bar with the theme "All About Soyou," where clothes, shoes, and items from her personal collection and sponsors were sold. All proceeds were then donated to the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation.[54] In April 2019, she donated ₩10 million won through the Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association, requesting that it be used to aid residents affected by large-scale forest fires in Gangwon-do.[55] In February 2020, Soyou donated ₩20 million won through Good Neighbors, an international relief and development NGO, to help prevent COVID-19 among Daegu residents.[56]
In September 2022, Big Planet Made announced that Soyou donated ₩20 million won to the Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association by adding donations to the entire sales proceeds from the flea market she held under her name in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.[57] Later in November, she donated a total of ₩20 million in scholarships to twenty underprivileged university students in Seoul through the Korean Red Cross Society for which Soyou acts as a public relations ambassador.[58]
^"Good Night My Love" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but peaked at number 33 on the Circle Download Chart.[66]
^"Business" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but peaked at number 50 on the Circle Download Chart.[67]
^"Some 2" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but peaked at number 48 on the Circle Download Chart.[67]
^"Farewell Everyday" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but peaked at number 45 on the Circle Download Chart.[68]
^"Aloha" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but peaked at number 27 on the Circle Download Chart.[69]
^"Love, ing" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but peaked at number 32 on the Circle Download Chart.[70]
^"Forever Yours" did not enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked at number 18 on the Gaon Download Chart.[76]
^"Walking" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but peaked at number 72 on the Circle BGM Chart.[77]
^"Runnin'" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but peaked at number 56 on the Circle Download Chart.[80]
^"Perfect" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but peaked at number 91 on the Circle Download Chart.[84]
^"Bangkok" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but peaked at number 60 on the Circle BGM Chart.[87]
^"Fine" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but peaked at number 28 on the Circle Download Chart.[88]
^"Love Recipe" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but peaked at number 55 on the Circle Download Chart.[89]
^"Diamond" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but peaked at number 44 on the Circle Download Chart.[92]
^"First Love" did not enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked at number 59 on the Gaon Download Chart.[95]
^"Silence" did not enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked at number 44 on the Gaon BGM Chart.[96]
^"Shout Myself" did not enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked at number 60 on the Gaon BGM Chart.[98]
^"When It Rains" did not enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked at number 20 on the Gaon BGM Chart.[99]
^"Good to Be with You" did not enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked at number 154 on the Gaon Download Chart.[100]
^"Goodbye" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but peaked at number 17 on the Circle BGM Chart.[101]
^"The Only One" did not enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked at number 192 on the Gaon Download Chart.[102]
^"Puzzle" did not enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked at number 16 on the Gaon Download Chart.[103]
^"Don't Smile at Me" did not enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked at number 87 on the Gaon Download Chart.[104]
^"Breath" did not enter the Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked at number 77 on the Gaon Download Chart.[105]
^"Only You" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but peaked at number 71 on the Circle Download Chart.[106]
^"Good Bye" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but peaked at number 81 on the Circle Download Chart.[107]
^"Take Me Back in Time" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but peaked at number 92 on the Circle Download Chart.[108]
^The Korea First Brand Awards is hosted by the Korea Consumer Brand Committee and the Korea Consumer Forum. Awards are based on a nationwide survey held in South Korea.[141]
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^Park Seo-yeon (September 8, 2021). "소유, 11년 만 스타쉽과 이별.."재계약 체결 NO, 새출발 응원"[전문](공식)" [Soyou, farewell from Starship after 11 years.."No contract renewal, support for a new start"[Full text](Official)]. Herald POP (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 8, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2021 – via Naver.
^Lee Deok-haeng (September 29, 2021). "소유, 신생 엔터사 빅플래닛메이드와 전속계약 체결 [공식]" [Soyou signs exclusive contract with Big Planet Made, a new entertainment company [Official]]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 29, 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2021 – via Naver.
^Oh Yoon-joo (March 2, 2022). "소유, 데뷔 첫 단독 콘서트 개최…4월 열린다 [공식]" [Soyou held her first solo concert since her debut... Open in April [Official]] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on March 2, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee Tae-soo (April 21, 2022). "소유, 27일 새 미니음반 발표…소속사 이적 후 첫 앨범" [Soyou releases a new mini album on the 27th... The first album after moving to the agency] (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. Archived from the original on April 21, 2022. Retrieved April 21, 2022 – via Naver.
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^Ahn Yoon-ji (November 23, 2021). "러브 마피아' 성시경·신동·소유·이혜성 MC 발탁[공식]" [Love Mafia' Sung Si-kyung, Shindong, Soyu, and Lee Hye-seong selected as MCs [Official]] (in Korean). Star News. Archived from the original on November 23, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021 – via Naver.
^Beak Seung-hoon (March 30, 2022). "황광희 "첫 휴가에 보톡스 맞으러 가" 웃픈 고백(더블유)" [Hwang Kwang-hee, "I'm going to get botox on my first vacation" funny confession (W)] (in Korean). iMBC. Archived from the original on March 30, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim Myung-mi (March 30, 2022). '청춘스타' 4월28일 첫방송, 이승환 윤종신→강승윤 노제 출격 ['Youth Star' First Broadcast on April 28 with Lee Seung-hwan, Yoon Jong-shin → Kang Seung-yoon, No:ze]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 30, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
^Kim Min-ji (May 9, 2022). "예지원·손담비·소이현·소유, 스위트룸 도장깨기 나선다…23일 '스캉스' 론칭" [Ye Ji-won, Son Dam-bi, So Yi-hyeon, and Soyu set out to break the suite seal… 'Scance' launched on the 23rd] (in Korean). News1. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim Myung-mi (June 24, 2022). "전설끼리 홀인원' 김성주X소유 MC 합류, 7월19일 첫방송[공식]" [Hole-in-one between legends’ Kim Seong-joo X Soyou joins MC, first broadcast on July 19 [Official]] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on June 24, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim Bo-ra (November 1, 2022). "[단독] 소유, TV조선2 새 예능 '갓생투어' 출격…골린이 탈출했나" [[Exclusive] Soyou, TV Chosun 2's new entertainment show 'Gatsaeng Tour'... Did Golin escape?] (in Korean). OSEN. Archived from the original on November 1, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kang, Ga-hee (August 10, 2023). "총상금 1억 '초대형 노래방 서바이벌 VS'..초호화 프로듀서 라인업 공개" [Total prize money of 100 million won. "Super-large karaoke survival vs."The lineup of super luxurious producers will be released] (in Korean). Herald POP. Retrieved August 10, 2023 – via Naver.
^Yoo Byung-chul (June 2, 2022). "OTT seezn(시즌) 치열한 사랑의 눈치 게임 '러브 마피아', 흥미진진 관전 포인트 셋" [OTT seezn (season) Fierce love scrutiny game 'Love Mafia', three exciting viewing points] (in Korean). Korea Economy TV. Archived from the original on June 2, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jang In-young (September 8, 2022). "소유, '노상어게인' MC로 나선다…첫 게스트는 정진운·이창섭" [Soyou to appear as MC for 'Nowhere Again'... The first guests were Jeong Jin-woon and Lee Chang-seop.] (in Korean). Newsis. Archived from the original on September 8, 2022. Retrieved September 8, 2022 – via Naver.
^Gil, Hye–seong (February 12, 2014). 소유&매드클라운, 3회 가온K팝어워드 올해의 가수상..9월음원 1위 [Soyou & Mad Clown, Singer of the Year Award at the 3rd Gaon K-Pop Awards... 1st place in music charts in September]. star.moneytoday.co.kr. Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
^Moon, Wan-sik (January 28, 2015). 소유x정기고, 4회 가온K-POP 어워드 올해의 가수상..2월 음원1위 [Soyou x Jeonggigo, Singer of the Year Award at the 4th Gaon K-POP Awards... 1st place in digital music in February]. star.moneytoday.co.kr. Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
^‘가온차트 K팝 어워드’ 소유-정기고 올해의 롱런 음원상 수상 ['Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards' Soyou-Jung Ki-go won Long Run Music of the Year Award]. sports.khan.co.kr. January 29, 2015. Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
^Kim, Min-ji (January 14, 2015). ‘골든디스크’ 소유X정기고-에픽하이, 디지털음원 부문 본상 수상 ['Golden Disc' Soyou X Jeonggigo-Epik High wins Bonsang in digital music category]. m.newsen.com. Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
^Kang Mi-hwa (December 17, 2019). "[영상M] 오마이걸, 2020년 기대되는 '여자아이돌'" [[Video M] Oh My Girl, a 'girl idol' expected in 2020]. Maeil TV (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 17, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
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^Kim, Su-jin (February 26, 2015). 소유·정기고, '올해의 노래' 선정 [Soyou and Jeonggigo selected as 'Song of the Year']. Yonhap News Agency. Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
^Lee, Chun-woo (December 14, 2014). 멜론 뮤직 어워즈 아티스트상 아이유 등 부문별 수상자 가려져 [Melon Music Awards Artist Award, IU and other winners in each category are covered]. Busan Ilbo. Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
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