Yeji

Yeji is the leader, main dancer, and lead vocalist of ITZY, the South Korean girl group formed by JYP Entertainment that debuted in 2019. If you’ve ever watched a K-pop stage and wondered who sets the tone for an entire group’s confidence, Yeji is a great place to start. Born Hwang Ye-ji on May 26, 2000, in Seoul and raised in Jeonju, she built her reputation on sharp, controlled choreography and a stage presence that fans and critics alike call magnetic.

Early Life and Trainee Years

Yeji’s dance journey started almost by accident. Her older sister showed her Wonder Girls choreography when she was still in elementary school, and that spark turned into an audition for JYP Entertainment in 2015, where she danced to Twice’s “Like Ooh-Ahh.” She trained for about three years, appearing briefly on Stray Kids and SBS’s The Fan, where 2PM’s Junho famously called her “JYP’s secret weapon” — a nickname that turned out to be pretty accurate.

Debut and Rise with ITZY

When ITZY debuted on February 12, 2019 with the single “Dalla Dalla,” Yeji was named the group’s leader just weeks before. That debut wasn’t just strong — it was historic. ITZY became the first K-pop girl group to win every major Rookie of the Year award in a single year, and Yeji’s steady leadership played no small part in holding the rookies together under that pressure. Since then, she’s led the group through EPs like Not Shy, Checkmate, and Born to Be, plus world tours that have taken ITZY across three continents.

Solo Career and Fashion Presence

Beyond ITZY, Yeji has quietly built her own lane. She released solo covers, a soundtrack single for the drama “Love Your Enemy,” and in March 2025 finally stepped out as a soloist with her debut EP “Air,” co-writing the lead single herself. She’s also become a fixture in high fashion, walking for Dolce & Gabbana at Milan Fashion Week and serving as a brand ambassador for Roger Vivier.

Curious what makes a K-pop leader tick? Yeji’s blend of discipline, dance skill, and quiet warmth toward her members offers a pretty good answer. Whether she’s front and center in an ITZY comeback or exploring her own sound, she remains one of the most respected performers of her generation.