Minnie

Who Is Minnie of I-DLE?

I-DLE‘s Minnie is the group’s Thai main vocalist, celebrated for her dreamy, emotional tone and the distinction of being the first non-Korean main vocalist in a K-pop girl group. Since 2018, her voice has opened some of the group’s biggest title tracks, and behind the scenes she’s just as busy as a songwriter, quietly shaping the group’s sound from the studio as well as the stage.

Early Life and Trainee Years

Born Nicha Yontararak on October 23, 1997, in Bangkok, Thailand, Minnie grew up in a musical household where her mother, aunt, and uncle all played piano. She started lessons at just four years old and began vocal training in kindergarten, later studying at Wattana Wittaya Academy and Grammy Vocal Studio, the same program that trained CLC’s Sorn. In 2014, she passed Cube Entertainment‘s audition in Thailand, and by 2015 she’d relocated to South Korea to begin her trainee life, arriving without speaking a word of Korean.

Debut and Rise With (G)I-DLE

Minnie debuted on May 2, 2018, as a member of (G)I-DLE with the EP “I Am.” As the group’s discography grew through “I Burn,” “I Never Die,” and “I Feel,” her voice became one of its defining textures, often the first one you hear on tracks like “Hwaa” and “Queencard.” She’s also an active songwriter, co-composing tracks such as “Moon” and “Dahlia.” When the group rebranded as I-DLE in 2025 for their seventh anniversary, Minnie had already made history that January with her own solo debut.

Solo Career

On January 21, 2025, Minnie released her first solo mini album, “HER,” marking her official debut as a solo artist after seven years with the group. The title track showcased a vibrant, funky side of her artistry that felt distinct from her work with I-DLE. Later that year, she featured NCT’s Ten on the collaboration single “Obsession,” further expanding her solo catalog beyond the group’s core discography.

Personal Life and Fun Facts

Off stage, Minnie is known among members and fans as the group’s playful “meme queen,” always quick with a reaction or a joke. She loves green tea, Japanese food, and photography, and she made her acting debut in the Netflix sitcom “So Not Worth It” in 2021. As a proud Thai idol who built a career entirely in a second language, she’s often cited as an inspiration for aspiring non-Korean K-pop artists.