Kwon Mina
A versatile performer who navigated the intense spotlight of K-pop stardom as a vocalist, rapper, and actress before charting a new path.
Born 1993 (age 33)·South Korean singer and actress·Birthday: September 21·Millennials
Biography
Kwon Mina stepped into the fiercely competitive world of K-pop as a member of the girl group AOA, quickly establishing herself as a multifaceted talent. She wasn't just a singer; she showcased her skills as a rapper and, notably, picked up the bass guitar for the band's rock-influenced sub-unit, AOA Black, presenting a rarer image of female idol musicianship. Her foray into acting in television dramas like 'Modern Farmer' demonstrated a willingness to expand her artistic footprint. Mina's career, however, also became a poignant chapter in the ongoing conversation about the pressures within the Korean entertainment industry. Her subsequent departure from AOA and her candid discussions about mental health added a layer of public vulnerability to her story, resonating with fans and shifting perceptions about the idols behind the glamour.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Kwon was born in 1993, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Kwon Was Born
The biggest hits of 1993
#1 Movie
Jurassic Park
Best Picture
Schindler's List
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Kwon's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1993Born
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1998Started school
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2006Became a teenager
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Could drive
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2011Could vote
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2014Turned 21
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2023Turned 30
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 33 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Promoted as a vocalist, rapper, and bassist for the popular South Korean girl group AOA and its sub-unit AOA Black.
- Acted in several television dramas, including a supporting role in the SBS weekend series 'All About My Mom'.
- Participated in AOA's first concert tour, 'Angels World', across Asia in 2016.
Did You Know?
She was scouted by FNC Entertainment after they saw a photo of her on the social network Cyworld.
Mina is a trained bass guitarist, which she played for AOA Black's performances.
She has a younger brother who is also in the entertainment industry as a model and actor, Kwon Min-woo.
“I learned to play bass because the song needed it, and so did I.”
