Namjoo

Who Is Namjoo?

Namjoo, born Kim Nam-joo on April 15, 1995, in Seoul, South Korea, is a singer, actress, and musical performer who has been a core member of the K-pop girl group Apink since its debut in 2011. Known to fans as the group’s “tireless energizer” for her boundless energy and comedic timing on variety shows, Namjoo has built a career that spans idol promotions, acting, musical theater, and a solo music career.

Early Life and Joining Apink

Namjoo appeared in her first TV commercial at age six and again at thirteen, showing an early flair for the camera. She joined Cube Entertainment through the 2010 Cube Party auditions before transferring to its independent label, A Cube Entertainment (the agency that would become IST Entertainment). She was one of the last members introduced ahead of Apink’s debut, joining Chorong, Bomi, Eunji, Naeun, Hayoung, and Yookyung. Namjoo debuted on April 19, 2011, performing “I Don’t Know” and “Wishlist” on Mnet’s M! Countdown as part of the group’s first mini album, Seven Springs of Apink. She attended the School of Performing Arts Seoul alongside fellow members Naeun, Hayoung, and former member Yookyung, graduating in February 2014, and was later accepted into Sungkyunkwan University’s Department of Performance Arts.

Acting, Variety, and Musical Theater

Alongside Apink’s comebacks, Namjoo has consistently branched into acting and broadcasting. She starred in the web drama Investigator Alice (2015) as a rookie detective and reprised a similar role in Bad Boy Detectives (2017–2018). Her singing talent led to a memorable turn on King of Mask Singer, where she performed under the mask “Good Daughter Shim Cheong.” In 2017, she made her musical debut playing Juliet Capulet in a university production of Romeo and Juliet, and by 2022 she was cast in the female lead role of the stage musical Midnight Sun. She has also worked as a television host, including as co-MC of the variety food show Shikshin Road 2 alongside groupmate Bomi.

Solo Music Career

On September 7, 2020, Namjoo made her solo debut with the single album Bird, stepping into the spotlight as an individual artist after nearly a decade as part of Apink. She is also part of two of the group’s sub-units: Apink BnN with Bomi, and JooJiRong with Eunji and Chorong, both of which allowed her to explore different musical styles outside the full group’s discography.

Continuing with Apink Today

Namjoo remains an active member of Apink, one of the five members — alongside Chorong, Bomi, Eunji, and Hayoung — who make up the group’s current lineup following the departures of Yookyung (2013) and Naeun (2022). After years under IST Entertainment (formerly Play M and Plan A Entertainment), Namjoo signed with With Us Entertainment (originally announced as Choi Creative Lab) in 2023 along with Chorong, Bomi, and Hayoung, while the group has continued releasing music together, including the 2024 track “Wait Me There” and the 2026 mini album Re : Love for Apink’s 15th anniversary.