Yeji’s Profile
- Full Name: Hwang Yeji
- Native Name: 황예지
- Nicknames: Lucy, Yeddeong, Jindo Dog
- Birthday: May 26, 2000 (25 years old)
- Blood type: A
- Height/Weight: 167 cm (5’6”) / N/A
- Gender: Female
- Zodiac Sign: Gemini
- Debut: February 12, 2019
- Position: Leader, Main Dancer, Lead Vocalist, Sub Rapper
- MBTI: ENFJ (The Protagonist)
- Birthplace: Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea
- Education: Jeonju Commercial Information High School
-
Nationality:
South Korean
- Profession: Singer, Rapper, Dancer
- Language Skills: Korean, English
- Group: ITZY
Yeji, whose full name is Hwang Ye-ji (황예지), was born on May 26, 2000. She is the leader, main dancer, lead vocalist, and sub-rapper of the K-pop girl group ITZY under JYP Entertainment. She officially debuted with ITZY on February 12, 2019, capturing attention with her dynamic stage presence, captivating charisma, and confident energy that have since become the group’s signature traits.
Early life
Born in Seoul and raised in Jeonju, South Korea, Yeji joined JYP Entertainment as a trainee in 2015. After three years of training, she earned a spot in ITZY. Before her debut, she had a minor role in the Korean drama Twenty Again (2015), appeared on the survival show Stray Kids (2017), and gained attention on SBS’s The Fan (2018), where she was dubbed JYP’s “secret weapon.” Her performance video surpassed 2 million views within just two days, even though she did not make it into the top 12.
Career Highlights
In the eyes of fans and industry professionals, Yeji stands out with her agile, energetic dance moves, a steady alto vocal tone in hits like “DALLA DALLA,” and her signature sharp cat-like eyes. She is frequently cited as one of the top leaders of K-pop’s 4th generation. The international media outlet Sportskeeda, known for its influential rankings and cultural analysis, included her in its list of “Top 5 Female K-pop Group Leaders,” praising her for leading ITZY with quiet strength while performing intense choreography with stable live vocals.
Yeji’s debut “DALLA DALLA” fancam reached 1.7 million views within 48 hours — the highest among ITZY members at the time of their debut on YouTube Music.
Additionally, Yeji’s famous “shoulder pop” move from the song WANNABE went viral on TikTok, inspiring millions of user-created videos that continued to circulate long after its release.
Difficulties
But fame doesn’t come without friction. Some fans have pushed back against how JYP distributes screen time and promotional focus, arguing that Yeji being center stage too often causes imbalance within the group. She’s also sparked debate over her styling—especially during Music Bank 2023, where her multi-layered denim outfit had netizens split between calling it bold and straight-up messy.
Image control has also been a hot topic. Yeji once said she wanted to try black-blue hair, but has mostly been seen in lighter tones—a choice reportedly pushed by the company’s aesthetic direction. That raised questions about how much creative say she really has. In 2025, things hit a boiling point when the teaser for her solo MV AIR got dragged online for allegedly copying Charlie XCX’s Gone—from visuals to vibe. While fans clapped back, claiming it was just overlapping electropop trends, the debate around inspiration versus imitation blew up across social media.
Reputation
Still, Yeji’s star hasn’t dimmed. She became the face of Keds starting in 2024, with campaigns across Gangnam’s flagship stores, and continued her brand dominance in 2025 by partnering with Curetty and other major fashion names. She’s a regular on magazine covers like Vogue Korea, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle Korea. Harper’s even listed her in the top five Gen Z fashion icons who are redefining K-pop style.
Offstage, Yeji shares plenty of chill content—especially pics of her dog, Hongsam. She’s big on cooking, organizing her room, and rocking casual streetwear: think denim wash, crop tops, varsity skirts, and crisp white sneakers. On stage, though, she flips the switch—cut-out bodysuits and asymmetrical tops are her go-to, like in ITZY’s concert at Olympic Gymnastics Arena. Compared to groups like aespa, Yeji’s vibe is more daring and edgy—owning a stage persona that’s unmistakably hers.
In 2025, Yeji hit a major milestone by releasing her debut solo mini album AIR, officially stepping out as a solo artist and earning major love from fans.
Fun Facts
- Her English name is Lucy—fans are always shook because it feels so soft compared to her edgy image.
- She originally wanted to be a soccer player. Yep, not a singer, not an idol. A straight-up baller.
- Got her driver’s license in 2020. Kinda late, considering she was already famous—but she studied for it herself and aced it.
- Auditioned for JYP by dancing to TWICE’s “Like OOH-AHH”—yep, she got into TWICE’s company by dancing to TWICE.
- Nicknamed “JYP’s secret weapon” by Junho (2PM) on national TV.
- Known among fans as K-pop’s “cat queen”—she’s got feline energy for days, quick reflexes, and piercing eyes to match.
- At 8 years old, she survived pneumonia, osteomyelitis, and septicemia—all at the same time. Absolute warrior.
- Can speak basic Thai—shocked international fans by dropping some Thai lines on a variety show.
- Her “shoulder pop” move in WANNABE went viral—millions tried to mimic it on TikTok.
- Calls herself a “snack master”—she’s seriously obsessed with snacks, especially chocolate.
- Rarely cries in public. She holds it down as a strong leader but takes care of her members in subtle, low-key ways.
- Madly in love with her dog Hongsam—posts about him like it’s her second boyfriend.
- Super tidy and loves organizing—other ITZY members joke and call her “Yeji-mom.”
- Her off-stage fashion is straight heat—oversized accessories, cropped tops, distressed jeans. Basically, she’s got drip for days.
Yeji’s one of those idols who balances high-glam stage presence with real-world relatability. She’s got hustle, style, and just enough chaotic energy to keep things interesting. Total vibe.
Photo Gallery
