Soyou

Personal Details :

• Full Name: Kang Ji-hyun (강지현)
• Stage Name: Soyou (소유)
• Birth Date: February 12, 1992
• Birth Place: Jeju Island, South Korea
• Education: Mullae Middle School, Korea Art School, Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Applied Music from Sungshin Women’s University
• Family: Has an older brother and an older sister
• Religion: Buddhism
• Occupation: Singer, Songwriter
• Agency: Starship Entertainment (former SISTAR member)

Social Media Presence :

• Instagram: soooo_you
• YouTube: SOYOUGI
• Twitter: @official_soyou
• Facebook: officialsoyou
• Weibo: soyou
• V Live: Soyou’s V Live Channel
• Fan Cafe: Soyou’s Fan Cafe

Career Overview :

SISTAR Era (2010–2017)

• Debut: Soyou debuted as a member of the South Korean girl group SISTAR on June 4, 2010, with the group’s first album “Push Push” .

• Disbandment: On May 22, 2017, Starship Entertainment announced that SISTAR would disband after seven years. The group’s final single, “Lonely,” was released on May 31, and their last group performance took place on June 7 through Show Champion .

Solo Career (2017–Present)

• Solo Debut: Following the disbandment of SISTAR, Soyou made her solo debut on December 13, 2017, with Part 1 of her first full-length album, Re:Born. The album features collaborations with artists like Sung Si-kyung and Yoon Jong-shin .

• Subsequent Releases: She followed up with her second mini-album, Re:Fresh, in the same year.

• Recent Work: In April 2022, Soyou returned to the K-pop scene with her new EP Day & Night, which includes tracks like “Business” featuring BE’O and “Some 2” featuring Jung Yong-hwa. This EP marks her first release under BPM Entertainment after signing with the agency in September 2021 .

Notable Collaborations

Soyou is renowned for her successful collaborations with various artists:

• “Some” (2014): A duet with Junggigo that became a massive hit, reaching No. 1 on the charts .

• “Stupid in Love” (2013): A collaboration with Mad Clown that also topped the charts .

• “Rain” (2017): A duet with Baekhyun of EXO that was well-received .

• “I Still” (2017): A collaboration with Sung Si-kyung .

• “Love Recipe” (2024): A collaboration with Junggigo

Achievements

• Chart Success: Many of Soyou’s collaboration singles have topped the charts, showcasing her strong presence in the Korean music industry .

• Versatility: She has demonstrated versatility by exploring various genres and collaborating with a wide range of artists, from ballad singers to hip-hop artists .

Personal Life & Interests :

• Full Name: Kang Ji-hyun (강지현)
• Birth Date: February 12, 1992
• Birthplace: Jeju Island, South Korea
• Family: Has an older brother and an older sister
• Religion: Practices Buddhism
• Education: Attended Mullae Middle School, Korea Art School, and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Contemporary Applied Music from Sungshin Women’s University
• Interests: Enjoys music production and songwriting; known for her love of collaborating with other artists
• Personality: Often described as warm, down-to-earth, and dedicated to her craft
• Other Activities: Participated in product endorsements and collaborations outside of music, including food products

Net Worth :

As of 2024, Soyou’s estimated net worth ranges between $100,000 and $1 million. This estimation considers her income from various sources, including her music career, television appearances, and business ventures. It’s important to note that net worth figures can vary based on different sources and the methods used for estimation. For instance, some sources suggest a higher range of $1 million to $5 million .

Income Sources

• Music Career: Soyou gained fame as a member of the girl group SISTAR and has since pursued a successful solo career. Her income from album sales, digital streaming, and concerts contributes significantly to her net worth.

• Television Appearances: She has made frequent appearances on popular variety shows like Running Man and Weekly Idol, which have enhanced her visibility and earnings.

• Business Ventures: In 2024, Soyou established a corporation named ‘So & You’ and launched products like ‘So Whiskey Highball’ and ‘So Goryangju Highball’ .

Real Estate

In a 2018 interview, Soyou revealed that she owns a building in Seoul. She mentioned purchasing a house for her parents before acquiring the building, indicating prudent financial management .

Awards & Achievements :

• Gaon Chart Music Awards
  • 2013 – Artist of the Year (September): “Stupid in Love” (with Mad Clown)
  • 2014 – Song of the Year (February): “Some” (with Junggigo)
  • 2014 – Long‑Run Song of the Year: “Some”
• Golden Disc Awards
  • 2015 – Digital Bonsang
  • 2015 – Trend of the Year
• Korean Music Awards
  • 2015 – Song of the Year (Daesang): “Some”
  • 2015 – Best Pop Song: “Some”
• Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA)
  

  Fun Facts :

  • Soyou was originally a Cube Entertainment trainee and almost debuted with 4Minute before moving to Starship Entertainment.
  • She personally auditioned for SISTAR by singing Navi’s “On the Road.”
  • Her stage name “Soyou” means “possess you” in Korean, symbolizing her desire to captivate audiences.
  • She enjoys working out and has often been praised for her fit physique and commitment to a healthy lifestyle.
  • Soyou is known for her strong vocals and is often called the “Queen of K-pop Collaborations.”
  • She once bought a house for her parents before buying her own building in Seoul.
  • Soyou loves cooking and is known among friends and fans for making delicious home meals.
  • She has a calm and thoughtful personality and has appeared on several talk shows discussing self-care and personal growth.
  • Despite her glamorous image, Soyou often emphasizes comfort and authenticity in her style and daily life.
  • She has a pet dog and frequently shares moments with it on her social media.