From Thailand to K-Pop Stardom: (G)I-DLE's Minnie Shares Her Journey and Solo Debut
Ten years ago, in 2015, a 17-year-old girl from Thailand set foot on the unfamiliar soil of South Korea alone. With no one to lean on or know, she flew solo to this land for one reason only: her burning passion for K-Pop. This is the story of Minnie from (G)I-DLE, now a bona fide 'K-Pop Queen'.
Minnie's life changed 'beyond imagination' when she debuted as a member of (G)I-DLE in 2018, after unexpectedly passing an audition at a dance academy she attended because of her love for K-Pop. Last November, she reached the pinnacle of her K-Pop star dreams by winning the grand prize at the Melon Music Awards (MMA). Right before the award, all five members successfully renewed their contracts with Cube Entertainment, breaking the '7-year curse' prejudice in a positive way.
Minnie's challenge didn't stop there. On the 21st, she embarked on her first solo activity since debut with her mini album 'HER'. In an interview at Cube Entertainment's office in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Minnie expressed her nervousness and excitement about her solo debut.
She shared, 'I always thought my turn would come after the other members, so I prepared step by step. But it turned out that my solo album is the team's first move after renewing our contracts, which added to the pressure. I wanted to show a great performance because more eyes will be on me.'
Her determination for her solo activity is evident in the mini album filled with 7 tracks she composed and wrote herself. From the captivating charm of 'HER' to the serene beauty of 'Familiar', the album showcases various aspects of Minnie, like a 'diary'.
Minnie also talked about the support from her parents and members, who have become another 'family' to her. 'There were tough times, but knowing that my parents didn't send me to Korea easily helped me endure. It would have been harder without the members. They told me not to worry about others' opinions and to do what I want, so I wouldn't have regrets. I'm happy to be with these amazing friends. We've become stronger after going through the contract renewal period, sharing our thoughts honestly.'