Umji
엄지 · 김예원 (Kim Ye-won)
Kim Ye-won — Vocalist · Maknae
August 19, 1998 Korean 164.5 cm 48 kg Type O Leo
Umji, born Kim Ye-won on August 19, 1998, in Incheon, South Korea, is a singer best known as the vocalist and maknae of the girl group GFriend. Debuting in January 2015 with "Season of Glass," Umji quickly earned a reputation as a mature, dependable presence within the group, often called "the Consultant" by her members for her calm, thoughtful advice. She lent her sweet vocals to GFriend's biggest hits, including "Rough," "Navillera," "Love Whisper," and "Fingertip," while also recording solo drama OSTs such as "The Way" for "Shopping King Louie" and "Welcome" for the drama of the same name. Discovered on the street by Source Music's CEO, Umji comes from a well-known family — her father runs a nationwide dental clinic chain — but built her career entirely on her own merit and hard work. After GFriend's 2021 disbandment, Umji signed with BPM Entertainment alongside Eunha and SinB, forming the trio VIVIZ, which debuted in February 2022 with "Beam of Prism." As VIVIZ's lead dancer and vocalist, she has continued to shine across releases like VarioUS, VERSUS, VOYAGE, and the group's first full album, A Montage of ( ), released in 2025. Known for her English fluency, her love of Disney, and her close friendships across the industry, Umji reunited with all five GFriend members for the group's celebrated 10th-anniversary comeback in January 2025. With a decade-long career built on consistency, warmth, and quiet determination, Umji remains one of the most beloved and grounded idols of her generation.
Story
Biography
Who Is Umji?
Umji, born Kim Ye-won on August 19, 1998, in Incheon, South Korea, is a South Korean singer known as the vocalist and maknae (youngest member) of the girl group GFriend. Loved for her sweet vocals and calm, dependable personality, Umji went on to continue her career as a member of the trio VIVIZ after GFriend’s disbandment.
Early Life and Trainee Days
Born in Incheon into a well-off family — her father is the CEO of a nationwide dental clinic chain — Umji was discovered on the street by the CEO of Source Music, who invited her to audition. She graduated from the School of Performing Arts Seoul, Theater Department, in February 2017 alongside fellow member SinB, and quickly became known among her members as “the Consultant” for her level-headed advice.
Debut with GFriend
Umji debuted with GFriend on January 15, 2015, as the group’s maknae, with the mini album Season of Glass. Despite being the youngest, she was known for her mature, steady presence both on and off stage, contributing vocals to the group’s biggest hits including “Rough,” “Navillera,” “Love Whisper,” and “Fingertip.” She also recorded solo OSTs during her time with GFriend, including “The Way” for Shopping King Louie in 2016 and “Welcome” for the drama of the same name in 2020.
Life After GFriend: VIVIZ
Following GFriend’s hiatus in May 2021, Umji signed with BPM Entertainment on October 6, 2021, alongside members Eunha and SinB, forming the trio VIVIZ. The group debuted on February 9, 2022, with the mini album Beam of Prism, and Umji has since served as VIVIZ’s lead dancer and vocalist across releases including Summer Vibe, VarioUS, VERSUS, VOYAGE, and the group’s first full album, A Montage of ( ), in 2025.
Legacy
Umji reunited with all five GFriend members for the group’s heartfelt 10th-anniversary comeback in January 2025. Known for her warmth, honesty, and steady vocal presence, she remains one of the most quietly influential members of her generation of K-pop idols.
Profile
Basic Information
| Stage Name | Umji |
| Full Birth Name | Kim Ye-won (김예원) |
| Date of Birth | August 19, 1998 |
| Birthplace | Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, South Korea |
| Hometown | Incheon, South Korea |
| Nationality | Korean |
| Height | 164.5 cm (5'5"") |
| Weight | 48 kg (106 lbs) |
| Blood Type | O |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| MBTI | INFP (formerly); INFJ (updated) |
| Education | Shinsong Middle School; School of Performing Arts Seoul, Theater Department (graduated 2017) |
| Agency | Big Planet Made / BPM Entertainment (formerly Source Music) |
| Debut | January 15, 2015 (GFriend, "Season of Glass"); February 9, 2022 (VIVIZ, "Beam of Prism") |
| Languages | Korean, English |
| Nicknames | The Consultant, Thumb Princess, 98-liner |
| Hobbies | Watching Disney movies, dancing, walking in gardens |
| Favorite Color | Not officially confirmed |
| Ideal Type | Actor Cha Tae-hyun; someone warm and considerate |
Membership
Groups & Positions
GFriend
Source Music
Vocalist Maknae Lead Dancer
January 2015 – May 2021 (disbanded); reunited January 2025 – present
VIVIZ
Big Planet Made (BPM Entertainment)
February 2022 – March 2026
The Lineup
Group Members — GFriend
Sowon
Leader · Vocalist · Visual
Yerin
Lead Dancer · Vocalist · Center · Face of the Group
Eunha
Lead Vocalist
Yuju
Main Vocalist
SinB
Main Dancer · Vocalist · Center
Umji
Vocalist · Maknae
This Idol
Journey
Career Timeline
2015
GFriend Debut
Debuted as GFriend's youngest member and vocalist with the mini album "Season of Glass" on January 15, 2015.
2016
First Solo OST
Released the solo OST "The Way" for the Korean drama "Shopping King Louie."
2018
Variety Show Hosting
Co-hosted the youth talk show "Yogobara" alongside ASTRO's Sanha.
2020
Second Solo OST
Released the solo OST "Welcome" for the drama of the same name, and became a DJ for Naver Now's "Avenger Girls."
2021
GFriend Disbandment
GFriend's members did not renew their contract with Source Music, and the group entered indefinite hiatus on May 22, 2021.
2021
VIVIZ Agency Signing
Signed with BPM Entertainment on October 6, 2021, alongside Eunha and SinB, forming the trio VIVIZ.
2022
VIVIZ Debut
Debuted as VIVIZ's lead dancer and vocalist with the mini album "Beam of Prism" on February 9, 2022.
2025
GFriend 10th Anniversary Reunion
Reunited with all five GFriend members for the group's 10th-anniversary special single album "Season of Memories."
Music
Discography
🎵
The Way (Shopping King Louie OST)
OST Single
2016
🎵
Welcome (Welcome OST)
OST Single
2020
💜
Season of Glass
Mini Album
2015
💜
Flower Bud
Mini Album
2015
💜
Snowflake
Mini Album
2016
💜
LOL
Studio Album
2016
💜
The Awakening
Mini Album
2017
💜
Rainbow
Repackage Album
2017
💜
Time for the Moon Night
Mini Album
2018
💜
Sunny Summer
Special Mini Album
2018
💜
Time for Us
Studio Album
2019
💜
Fever Season
Mini Album
2019
💜
回:Labyrinth
Mini Album
2020
💜
回:Song of the Sirens
Mini Album
2020
💜
回:Walpurgis Night
Studio Album
2020
💜
Season of Memories
Special Single Album
2025
💜
Beam of Prism
Mini Album
2022
💜
Summer Vibe
Mini Album
2022
💜
VarioUS
Mini Album
2023
💜
VERSUS
Mini Album
2023
💜
VOYAGE
Mini Album
2024
💜
A Montage of ( )
Studio Album
2025
🎧
Rum Pum Pum
Digital Single
2022
🎧
Come on Baby Tonight (Ditto X VIVIZ)
OST Single
2022
🎧
True to Love, Pt. 7
OST Single
2023
🎧
My Lovely Liar, Pt. 1
OST Single
2023
🎧
The Last Christmas
Winter Special Single
2024
Recognition
Awards & Achievements
Best New Female Artist (with GFriend)
Melon Music Awards
2015
Rookie of the Year (with GFriend)
Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards
2015
New Artist Award (with GFriend)
Golden Disc Awards
2016
Best New Artist (with GFriend)
Seoul Music Awards
2016
Grand Prize / Daesang (with GFriend)
Korea PD Awards
2016
Best Korean Act (with GFriend)
MTV Europe Music Awards
2017
Best Group (with VIVIZ)
APAN Music Awards (Nominee)
2022
Did You Know?
Trivia & Fun Facts ✨
★
Born in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, South Korea, and has an older brother and an older sister.
★
Her stage name "Umji" means "thumb" in Korean.
★
Comes from a wealthy family; her father is the CEO of a nationwide dental clinic chain called Moa Dentist Group.
★
Was discovered by the CEO of Source Music while walking on the street.
★
Attended an English preschool and speaks English fluently.
★
Graduated from the School of Performing Arts Seoul, Theater Department, in February 2017 alongside SinB.
★
Was GFriend's maknae (youngest member) but was often seen as the group's emotional anchor.
★
Nicknamed "the Consultant" by her members because they often came to her for advice.
★
Is a big fan of singer Sunmi and once performed a cover of "Gashina" on "Weekly Idol."
★
Is close friends with Somi, formerly of I.O.I.
★
Appeared as "Pheasant" on the singing competition show "King of Masked Singer."
★
Co-hosted the youth talk show "Yogobara" with ASTRO's Sanha in 2018.
★
Released the solo OST "The Way" for the drama "Shopping King Louie" in 2016.
★
Released a second solo OST, "Welcome," for the drama of the same name in 2020.
★
Became a DJ for Naver Now's "Avenger Girls" in April 2020, replacing member Eunha.
★
Is a devoted Christian.
★
Is a big fan of Disney movies.
★
Shares her exact birth date, August 19, with former member Yerin, though in different years.
★
Enjoys walking in gardens alone to relax.
★
Signed with BPM Entertainment on October 6, 2021, forming VIVIZ with Eunha and SinB.
★
Tested positive for COVID-19 in January 2022, shortly before VIVIZ's debut.
★
Shares her birth name, Ye-won, with several other K-pop idols, including PRISTIN's Yehana.
★
Forms a '98-liner friend group with SinB and other idols born in the same year.
★
VIVIZ ended their contract with BPM Entertainment in March 2026 amid reported payment disputes.
★
Reunited with all five GFriend members for the group's 10th-anniversary comeback in January 2025.
The Fandom
Fan Club & Fan Name 💜
Official Fan Name
BUDDY
GFriend's official fandom name, meaning a close and dependable friend, chosen to reflect the warm, supportive bond between the group and their fans; it was unveiled during the group's first official fan meeting in 2017.
Official Fan Color
Cloud Dancer, Scuba Blue & Ultra Violet
The three official fandom colors of GFriend, combining a soft off-white (Cloud Dancer) with a bright sky blue (Scuba Blue) and a deep violet (Ultra Violet), representing the group's dreamy, fairytale-like image.
Official Light Stick
Night Sky Stick (Official Light Stick Ver. 2)
A black-handled light stick featuring a moving letter "G" inside a clear bulb, released in May 2019. It lights up in the group's three official colors, connects to a companion app via Bluetooth, and can sync with central control systems at official GFriend concerts.
Fan Community Platform
Weverse / Fancafe
GFriend's main platforms for communicating with BUDDY through posts, live broadcasts, and membership updates.
Stay Connected
Social Media
Photos
Gallery 📷
