Soyeon
A visionary South Korean rapper and producer who defies the idol mold by writing and directing her group's bold, conceptual hits.
Born 1998 (age 28)·South Korean rapper·Birthday: August 26·Generation Z
Biography
Jeon Soyeon didn't just want to be in a girl group; she aimed to architect one. After sharpening her skills and fierce persona on competition shows like 'Produce 101' and 'Unpretty Rapstar,' she launched as a solo artist. But her masterstroke came in 2018 with the formation of (G)I-dle, where she assumed the roles of leader, main rapper, and primary songwriter and producer. This level of creative control is rare in the K-pop industry, and Soyeon wielded it to craft a distinct sonic identity—dark, eclectic, and unapologetically bold—for her group. Hits like 'Latata,' 'Hann,' and 'Tomboy' bear her unmistakable stamp, blending aggressive rap with catchy hooks and often tackling themes of confidence and defiance. She stands as a powerful example of an idol as auteur, reshaping expectations for female artists in the process.
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.
Soyeon was born in 1998, 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 Soyeon Was Born
The biggest hits of 1998
#1 Movie
Saving Private Ryan
Best Picture
Shakespeare in Love
#1 TV Show
Seinfeld
Soyeon's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1998Born
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2003Started school
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2011Became a teenager
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
2014Could drive
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
2016Could vote
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2019Turned 21
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 28 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Writes and produces the majority of title tracks for her group (G)I-dle, including hits like 'Latata,' 'Oh my god,' and 'Tomboy.'
- Debuted as a solo artist in 2017 with the mini-album 'Jelly,' showcasing her skills independent of a group.
- Recognized with multiple 'Best Female Artist' awards at major Korean music award shows for her production work.
Did You Know?
She designed (G)I-dle's official fan club name, 'Neverland,' and the group's official light stick.
She is known for her love of animation and video games, which often influence her music and concepts.
She can play the piano and often uses it in her songwriting process.
“I don't want to be a doll that just does what I'm told. I want to be an artist who expresses my own thoughts.”
