Minzy

Gong Min-ji (Korean: 공민지; born January 18, 1994),[1] better known by her stage name Minzy, is a South Korean singer, songwriter and dancer. She debuted in 2009 as a member of South Korean girl group 2NE1, which became one of the most popular and successful girl groups worldwide before her departure from the group in April 2016.[2][3] She released her first solo EP, Minzy Work 01: "Uno", in April 2017.[4] On November 20, 2020, Minzy made her debut in the Philippines with the Tagalog version of her single "Lovely".

In this Korean name, the family name is Gong.
Minzy
Minzy at an Urban Decay Event in 2018
Born
Gong Min-ji

(1994-01-18) January 18, 1994
Seoul, South Korea
EducationBaekseok University
Occupation
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • dancer
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2009–present
Labels
Associated acts
Signature
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationGong Min-ji
McCune–ReischauerKong Minchi

Early life

Minzy was born in Seoul, South Korea on January 18, 1994. She is the granddaughter of folk dancer Gong Ok-jin. When she was young, she moved to Gwangju with her family, but then her mother brought Minzy and her sister back to Seoul while traveling between Seoul and Gwangju to work with Minzy's father. She participated in many dance contests and competitions, winning various awards. A video of her at a dance competition in Gwangju was uploaded onto the Internet and became popular with many people sending praise for her ability to dance. This video was then uploaded onto YG's homepage, whereupon the CEO, Yang Hyun-suk, contacted and recruited her to join the agency when she was only in sixth grade.[5]

Career

2009–2016: 2NE1
Minzy at a YG Family Press Conference in Singapore in September 2014

YG Entertainment stated in early 2009 that they would be debuting a new four-member group that had been training for four years and that their debut album would contain songs produced by 1TYM's leader Teddy Park and G-Dragon of Big Bang. The group's name was initially announced as "21"; however, due to the discovery of a singer with the same name, the group was renamed "2NE1", with "NE" being an abbreviation of "New Evolution". Minzy was placed in 2NE1 as the main dancer, alongside Park Bom, Sandara Park and CL.[6] The group went on to debut with their first single "Fire" in May 2009, with Minzy being the youngest member at just 15 years old.

Minzy officially left the group and the group's agency, YG Entertainment, on April 5, 2016. Because of this, she did not take part in 2NE1's last song "Goodbye", released on January 21, 2017.[7][8]

2016–present: Solo career and MZ Entertainment

In May 2016, Minzy signed with CJ E&M's subsidiary label Music Works.[9][10][11] It was revealed that Minzy is currently preparing for her solo album and is interested in trying out different types of music and doesn't want to limit herself to one specific genre. Music Works stated, "We are focusing on producing a first solo album which can portray all of Gong Minzy's talent and potential. We will continue the preparations without being chased by time".

On January 17, 2017, a representative from KBS revealed that Minzy has been confirmed as a cast member of the second season of Sister's Slam Dunk together with Kim Sook, Hong Jin-kyung, Kang Ye-won, Han Chae-young, Hong Jin-young and Jeon So-mi. The show aired its first broadcast on February 10, where Minzy was appointed to become the main singer, main dancer, dance tutor, and choreographer for the second generation of Unnies by legendary producer and composer Kim Hyung Suk (mentor of JYP), and was voted as leader of the group on the third episode. She is also qualified to be the team's rap teacher, but due to her heavy workload, the role went to LA-born newcomer KillaGramz. In episode 12, she was named the rapping director as Kim Hyung Suk has no rapping knowledge, and named Hong Jin-young as the sole rapper of the group, with Jeon So-mi the rap lyricist for "Right?". In March 2017, Minzy released her first solo single, "I Wanted To Love" as the soundtrack of the MBC drama The Rebel.

On April 17, 2017, Minzy released her solo debut EP, Minzy Work 01. "Uno", along with title track "Ninano".[12] The EP debuted at number 2 on the Billboard World Albums Chart as the highest-ranking debut before it fell to number 9 in the second week.[13] On December 1, 2018, Minzy released her first English language solo single, "All of You Say".[14]

On April 17, 2020, Minzy left Music Works after her legal dispute was settled.[15] On May 24, 2020, Minzy released her single "Lovely", her first released as an independent artist.[16]

In October 2020, Minzy founded her own company MZ Entertainment and will carry out her future activities on her future agency.[17] A month later, Minzy signed with Viva Entertainment for her musical activities in the Philippines. She released the Tagalog version of her single "Lovely" on November 20, 2020.[18]

Discography
For Minzy's works with 2NE1, see 2NE1 discography.

Unnies
Year Title Album details Peak chart
positions		 Sales
KOR
[19]

[20]

 US
World
[21]
2017 "Right?" (맞지?)
  • Released: May 12, 2017
  • Label: KBS Media, LOEN Entertainment
  • Format: Digital download
 2 10
"Lalala Song" (랄랄라 송) 48 22
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Extended plays
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
KOR
[24]		 NZ
Heat
[25]		 US
Heat
[26]		 US
World
[27]
Minzy Work 01: "Uno" 1010212

As main artist
Title Year Peak chart
positions		 Sales Album
KOR
[29]		 US
World
[30]
Korean
"Please Don't Go"[31] (with CL) 2009 30 — N/A To Anyone
"Ninano" (니나노) (featuring Flowsik) 2017 4418 Minzy Work 01: Uno
"Lovely"[16] 2020 —— N/A Non-album single
English
"All of You Say" 2018 —— N/A Non-album single
Filipino
"Lovely"[16] 2020 —— N/A Non-album single
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Soundtrack appearances
Title Year Album
"I Wanted to Love" 2017 The Rebel
"I Miss You" (보고 싶다 with Sohyang) The King of Mask Singer Episode 105
"Sick and Sick Name..." (아프고 아픈 이름...)
"Walking" (걸어가) 2018 Partners for Justice

Filmography

Television shows
YearTitleNetworkNotes
2017Sister's Slam DunkKBSCast
King of Mask SingerMBCContestant as "A Richly-toned Perilla Leaf Girl"[33]
2020Video StarMBC Every 1Guest
King of Mask SingerMBCJudge Panelist
2021South Korean ForeignersMBC Every 1Contestant
Boss in the MirrorKBS2Guest

References
  1. Russell, Mark (2014). K-Pop Now!: The Korean Music Revolution. Tuttle Publishing. p. 77. ISBN 978-1-4629-1411-1.
  2. "2NE1 on Breaking Chart Records, Turning 5 (Exclusive Video Interview)". Billboard. 2014-05-27. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
  3. Herman, Tamar (April 5, 2016). "K-Pop Group 2NE1 Becomes Trio Following Departure of Minzy". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
  4. Herman, Tamar (April 19, 2017). "Former 2NE1 Member Minzy Debuts as Soloist With 'Minzy Work 01 Uno' EP". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  5. "Yg Entertainment".
  6. Jeff Benjamin (April 6, 2016). "Why Minzy was always 2NE1'S secret weapon". fuse.tv. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  7. Tamar Herman (April 5, 2016). "K-Pop Group 2NE1 Becomes Trio Following Departure of Minzy". billboard.com. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  8. E. Alex Jung (April 5, 2016). "It's a Sad Day in K-Pop: Minzy Leaves 2NE1". vulture.com. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  9. Lord Justin Castillo (April 16, 2016). "Minzy reportedly to have a new record label". newseveryday.com. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  10. Maolen E. (May 18, 2016). "Ex-2NE1 member Minzy officially signs new record deal with Music Works". yibada.com. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  11. Ash Krater (May 16, 2016). "2NE1 Ex-Member Minzy Puts YG Entertainment Behind Her, Officially Signs With Music Works". designntrend.com. Archived from the original on June 22, 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  12. Park, Sae-jin (April 17, 2017). "Former 2NE1 member Minzy debuts solo with 'NINANO'". ajudaily. Retrieved Oct 22, 2020.
  13. Benjamin, Jeff (April 26, 2017). "Minzy Sends Debut Solo EP to World, Heatseekers Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved Oct 22, 2020.
  14. Kim, Jae-min (December 3, 2018). "Minzy releases first English single "All of You Say"". www.koreaherald.com. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  15. "공민지, 소속사와 계약 분쟁 마무리 "자유 얻었다"". Yonhap News. April 17, 2020.
  16. "3년 공백기 깨고 'LOVELY' 솔로로 돌아온 공민지". ENews24. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  17. 김, 효정 (Oct 22, 2020). "공민지, MZ엔터테인먼트 설립…"총괄이사로 후배 양성"". Yonhap News. Retrieved Oct 22, 2020.
  18. Severo, Jan Milo (November 14, 2020). "'Mabuhay, Minzy': Former 2NE1 member to launch a music career in Philippines". The Philippine Star.
  19. "2011년 11주차 Digital Chart". Korea Music Content Industry Association. March 4, 2011. Archived from the original on August 5, 2016. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
  21. "World Digital Song Sales : Page 1 | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  22. Cumulative Sales for "Right?":
  23. Cumulative Sales for "LaLaLa Song":
  24. "Gaon Album Chart". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  25. "NZ Heatseekers: Minzy Work 01: Uno".
  26. "Top Heatseekers: Minzy Work 01: Uno".
  27. "World Albums: Minzy Work 01: Uno".
  28. 2017년 04월 Album Chart [April 2017 Album Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  29. Peak chart positions for singles in South Korea:
  30. "World Digital Songs". Billboard. 2013-01-02.
  31. "CL, 민지 - Please Don't Go (Digital Single)" (in Korean). Melon. Archived from the original on May 25, 2020. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  32. "2017년 16주차 Download Chart (2017.04.16~2017.04.22)" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on May 26, 2020. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  33. Kim Mi-hwa (April 2, 2017). "'복면가왕' 깻잎소녀는 공민지..2NE1아닌 솔로 첫무대". Star News (in Korean). Retrieved April 2, 2017.
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