Soyeon

Who Is Soyeon of I-DLE?

I-DLE‘s Soyeon is the group’s leader, main rapper, center, and chief creative force — a rare idol who writes, composes, and produces the vast majority of her own group’s music. If you’ve ever caught yourself asking who’s really behind hits like “LATATA,” “Tomboy,” or “Queencard,” the answer is almost always Soyeon.

Early Life and Trainee Years

Born Jeon So-yeon on August 26, 1998, in Gaepo-dong, Seoul, Soyeon was homeschooled as a child and trained in ballet before pivoting to street dance. Her path to debut wasn’t a straight line: she first gained attention as a YG Entertainment trainee on Mnet’s “Produce 101,” finishing 20th, and later placed third on the rap competition “Unpretty Rapstar 3.” Those setbacks only sharpened her drive. She signed with Cube Entertainment in December 2016 and, notably, released a self-written solo single, “Jelly,” in November 2017 — before she’d even officially debuted with a group.

Debut and Rise With (G)I-DLE

Soyeon debuted on May 2, 2018, as the leader, main rapper, and center of (G)I-DLE, immediately taking on writing and production duties for the debut EP “I Am.” That creative control never let up: she’s credited across the group’s catalog, from “Hwaa” and “Tomboy” to “Nxde” and “Queencard,” making I-DLE one of the rare “self-producing” idol groups where a member drives nearly every release. She also voices a member of Riot Games’ virtual group K/DA alongside groupmate Miyeon. When the group rebranded as I-DLE in 2025, Soyeon was still very much steering the ship as leader.

Solo Career

Beyond her group work, Soyeon released her solo debut EP “Windy” in July 2021, led by the self-produced single “BEAM BEAM.” It’s a natural extension of what she’d already been doing since her 2017 pre-debut single “Jelly” — total creative ownership, front to back. In June 2024, she temporarily stepped back from scheduled activities to focus on her health, a reminder of just how much of the group’s output runs through her.

Personal Life and Fun Facts

Off stage, Soyeon is a self-described anime fan (especially “One Piece”), a mint chocolate lover, and someone who says BIGBANG first inspired her to chase music. She’s known for her sharp humor, competitive streak, and genuine care for her members — qualities that, combined with her rare level of creative control, make her one of the most respected leader-producers in K-pop today.