Sowon

Who Is Sowon?

Sowon, born Kim So-jeong (김소정) on December 7, 1995, is a South Korean singer, actress, YouTuber, and entrepreneur best known as the leader of the K-pop girl group GFriend. She debuted on January 15, 2015 with GFriend’s first EP “Season of Glass” and quickly became the face of one of the most beloved “school concept” girl groups of the mid-2010s, celebrated for her striking visuals, warm leadership, and famously long legs.

Early Life and Trainee Years

Born and raised in Seoul, Sowon first trained under DSP Media for several years, appearing briefly in Rainbow’s “To Me” music video, before joining Source Music in 2013. After roughly a year and a half of additional training, she was chosen as the leader of the five-member (later six-member) lineup that would debut as GFriend.

Rise With GFriend

As leader, Sowon guided GFriend through a string of hits including “Glass Bead,” “Me Gustas Tu,” and “Rough,” helping the group become the fastest rookie act at the time to win a music-show trophy. Known within the group as the “golden visual,” she balanced idol duties with hosting gigs on beauty programs like MBC’s “Look At Me” and KBS’ “Trend By Me.” GFriend’s contract with Source Music ended on May 22, 2021, bringing the group’s six-year run as an active unit to a close, though the members have remained close and reunited for a 10th-anniversary project in 2025.

Life After GFriend: Acting and Entrepreneurship

Following the group’s hiatus, Sowon pivoted toward acting, signing first with IOK Company in 2021 under her birth name before moving to OUI Entertainment in 2022, where she returned to using the name Kim Sowon. She built a steady acting résumé with projects including “My Chilling Roommate,” the horror series “4:44 Seconds,” and “Who Is She,” while also becoming a familiar face at Seoul Fashion Week. In 2024 she was named a brand ambassador for Burberry, and by late 2025 she had signed with HAKY Entertainment and launched her own skincare brand, Neovea, serving as its CEO. In 2026, she is set to appear in the thriller film “The Chain.”

Legacy

More than a decade after her debut, Sowon remains one of the most recognizable leaders in K-pop history — a rare idol who has successfully transitioned into acting, hosting, and business while staying deeply connected to the GFriend fandom, BUDDY, and her former groupmates.