Personal Details :
- Full Name: Park Ji-young (박지영)
- Stage Name: Kahi (가희)
- Date of Birth: December 25, 1980
- Age: 44 (as of 2025)
- Birthplace: Daegu, South Korea
- Nationality: South Korean
- Height: 168 cm (5 ft 6 in)
- Blood Type: O
- Occupations: Singer, Dancer, Actress, Choreographer, Mentor
- Years Active: 2000–present
- Spouse: Yang Joon-mu (m. 2016)
- Children: Two sons (born in 2016 and 2018)
- Education: Attended high school in Daegu; left university to pursue a dance career
Social Media Presence :
- Instagram: @kahi_korea
- Twitter: @misskahi
Career Overview :
- Early 2000s: Began as a backup dancer for top K-pop artists including BoA, DJ DOC, and Lexy.
- 2006–2007: Member of Korean-American girl group S.Blush; their song charted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Dance Chart.
- 2009: Debuted as the leader of girl group After School under Pledis Entertainment.
- 2009–2012: Gained recognition for her leadership, choreography, and rap contributions in After School hits like “Bang!” and “Because of You.”
- 2011: Released her first solo mini-album, Come Back, You Bad Person.
- 2012: “Graduated” from After School to focus on solo and acting projects.
- 2013: Released her second solo mini-album, Who Are You?
- 2014–2015: Appeared in musicals such as Bonnie & Clyde and Cinderella; starred in the drama Dream High 2.
- 2016–2018: Served as a mentor and dance trainer on survival shows Produce 101 and Produce 48.
- 2021: Returned to TV with tvN’s Mom is an Idol, forming the special group M.M.D with other former idols.
- Present: Runs her own dance academy and continues working as a mentor, performer, and content creator.
Personal Life & Interests :
- Born and raised in Daegu, South Korea; raised by her grandparents after her parents divorced.
- Left home at age 16 to pursue a career in dance, supporting herself without formal training.
- Married entrepreneur Yang Joon-mu in March 2016.
- She is a mother of two sons, born in 2016 and 2018.
- Temporarily lived in Bali with her family to focus on raising her children in a peaceful environment.
- Returned to Korea in 2025 and resumed active appearances in entertainment and mentoring roles.
- Deeply passionate about dance, fitness, and mentoring young performers.
- Enjoys yoga, surfing, and spending time with her family when not working.
Net Worth :
As of 2024–2025, Kahi’s estimated net worth ranges between $1.3 million (IdolNetWorth / NetWorthList) and approximately $6.4 million (PeopleAi’s model). Other sources place her around $1–2 million (KpopWall) or conservatively under $1 million (CelebsMoney), reflecting different assumptions about her earnings from music, endorsements, acting, choreography, and dance training.
Awards & Achievements :
- Reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Dance Chart in 2007 as part of the group S.Blush.
- Won the New Star Award at the 2010 SBS Entertainment Awards for her appearance on the variety show Heroes.
- Received the Best Teamwork Award with the cast of Heroes at the 2010 SBS Entertainment Awards.
- Earned multiple #1 wins with After School on music programs, including a Triple Crown for “Because of You” on SBS Inkigayo.
- Released two solo mini-albums: Come Back, You Bad Person (2011) and Who Are You? (2013).
- Recognized as a top-tier mentor and choreographer on survival shows Produce 101 and Produce 48.
- Starred in Korean musical theater productions such as Bonnie & Clyde, Cinderella, and All Shook Up.
Fun Facts :
- Kahi’s stage name means “beautiful and joyful” in Korean (가희 – 嘉熙).
- She left home at age 16 to pursue dance and supported herself without any formal training.
- She was the lead dancer and choreographer for BoA before becoming an idol herself.
- Kahi helped select the original members of After School and choreographed many of their performances.
- She is known for her leadership and tough-love mentoring style on survival shows like Produce 101.
- Her MBTI personality type is ENTJ – often considered “The Commander.”
- Kahi is passionate about yoga, surfing, and living a balanced, healthy lifestyle.
- She once lived in Bali for several years with her husband and children to focus on family life.