Sohye

Kim So-hye is a South Korean actress and singer, best remembered as one of the eleven members of the legendary project girl group I.O.I. Born on July 19, 1999, in Seoul, South Korea, she first captured the public’s attention in 2016 when she competed on Mnet’s smash-hit survival show Produce 101, representing her then-agency Red Line Entertainment.

What made Kim So-hye’s story so compelling is that she came from an acting background with almost no singing or dancing experience before the show. Despite this, she charmed viewers with her honesty and determination, ultimately finishing in 5th place and earning a spot in I.O.I, where she promoted as a vocalist. Fans affectionately nicknamed her the “Victory Fairy” for defying the odds against far more experienced trainees.

Before her idol days, Kim So-hye was actually a competitive junior high volleyball player and even won a national title as a libero, a background that still surfaces in variety show appearances today. After I.O.I disbanded in early 2017, she returned to her original passion: acting. She pursued a Film Arts degree at Sejong University and built a steady acting career, appearing in dramas and films such as Best Chicken (2019) and My Lovely Boxer (2023).

Kim So-hye also created her own management label, S&P (Shark & Penguin) Entertainment, showing an entrepreneurial streak early in her career, and later moved through several agencies before signing with Noon Company in August 2024, where she continues her acting career today. She currently promotes as a solo actress rather than as part of an idol group.

Known for her bright energy, her love of penguins, and her down-to-earth personality, Kim So-hye remains a beloved figure among K-pop fans who followed the original Produce 101 generation, and her journey from reluctant trainee to established actress continues to inspire fans who root for the underdog.