Mingyu
A towering presence in Seventeen, Mingyu shapes the group's sound and style as a rapper, singer, and creative force.
Born 1997 (age 29)·South Korean singer and rapper·Birthday: April 6·Generation Z
Biography
Born Kim Min-gyu in 1997, Mingyu was scolded by Pledis Entertainment as a teenager and thrust into the rigorous training system that would produce Seventeen. He emerged not just as a member but as a cornerstone of the group's hip-hop unit, his deep voice and sharp flow providing a grounded counterpoint to brighter pop melodies. Beyond rapping, his contributions are famously multifaceted; he is a visual pillar, a songwriter credited on numerous tracks, and a hands-on creative involved in music video concepts and stage design. His dedication to the group's self-producing identity, coupled with a genuine, sometimes clumsy charm broadcast on variety shows, has made him a beloved figure to fans. The 2025 debut of the sub-unit CxM with fellow member S.Coups marked a new chapter, showcasing a more concentrated hip-hop ambition and solidifying his evolution from trainee to a defining artist of his generation.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Mingyu was born in 1997, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Mingyu Was Born
The biggest hits of 1997
#1 Movie
Titanic
Best Picture
Titanic
#1 TV Show
ER
Mingyu's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1997Born
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2002Started school
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2010Became a teenager
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2013Could drive
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2015Could vote
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2018Turned 21
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 29 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Debuted as a main rapper and visual member of the globally successful boy group Seventeen under Pledis Entertainment.
- Is a credited songwriter and composer on multiple tracks across Seventeen's extensive discography.
- Formed the official sub-unit CxM with fellow Seventeen member S.Coups, debuting in 2025.
- Recognized as a key creative contributor to the group's concepts, music videos, and overall visual direction.
Did You Know?
He is known for his exceptional height, often listed as one of the tallest idols in the K-pop industry.
Mingyu is left-handed.
He is an avid photographer and often shares his own photos with fans.
Before debut, he was a competitive swimmer during his middle school years.
“I want to be a person who can give hope and happiness through my music and performances.”
