Jisoo (BLACKPINK)

Biography

Kim Ji-soo was born in Gunpo, South Korea, and grew up in a close-knit family with two older siblings. She developed an early passion for the arts, particularly music and performance, and later attended the School of Performing Arts Seoul, a breeding ground for many K-pop idols.

Pre-Debut Journey

Jisoo’s journey into the K-pop industry began in 2011 when she successfully auditioned for YG Entertainment, subsequently joining the agency as a trainee. She underwent an intensive five-year training period, a testament to her unwavering dedication and YG’s rigorous artist development program. Notably, she moved into the YG dorm just one month after signing her contract.

She gained early exposure as a school uniform model and featured in advertisements for prominent brands such as Samsonite, Smart Uniform, LG Electronics, and Nikon. Her pre-debut presence extended to music videos, including appearances in Epik High’s “Spoiler + Happen Ending” (2014) and Hi Suhyun’s “I’m Different” (2014). In 2015, she made a notable cameo appearance in the popular KBS2 drama The Producers, alongside other YG labelmates. 

BLACKPINK: The Global Phenomenon

Jisoo officially debuted as a member of BLACKPINK on August 8, 2016, alongside Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa. The group’s name, BLACKPINK, was chosen to convey that they embody “more than beauty,” emphasizing their talent and charisma beyond just their visual appeal. Their debut single album, Square One, quickly made an impact with hit singles like “Whistle,” which topped South Korean charts, and “Boombayah”.

BLACKPINK’s discography includes a series of successful releases: Square One (2016), Square Two (2016), As If It’s Your Last (2017), Square Up (2018), Kill This Love (2019), The Album (2020), and Born Pink (2022). Square Up’s lead single, “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du,” made history as the first K-pop girl group song to enter the UK Official Trending Chart. The Album marked their first full-length Korean studio album.  

Born Pink notably topped both the US and UK album charts upon its release, earning BLACKPINK two Guinness World Records as the first K-pop girl group to achieve this feat. They also released digital singles such as “How You Like That” (2020), which garnered five Guinness World Records, including the most-viewed video on YouTube in 24 hours, and “Ice Cream” (with Selena Gomez) (2020). Their latest digital single, “JUMP,” was released in July 2025 and debuted during their Deadline concert.  

Jisoo has also contributed her creative talents to BLACKPINK’s discography. She holds songwriting credits for “Lovesick Girls,” a track from BLACKPINK’s first studio album The Album (2020), and “Yeah Yeah Yeah,” featured on their second studio album Born Pink (2022). 

Solo Endeavors

Jisoo made her highly anticipated solo debut on March 31, 2023, with the single album ‘ME’. The album’s title, ‘ME’, was chosen to reflect her strong aspirations and confidence, embodying her distinct artistic color and original beauty as a solo artist. It also cleverly alludes to the Chinese character (美), meaning beauty. The album featured the lead single “Flower” (꽃; Kkot) and the B-side track “All Eyes on Me”.

Jisoo’s solo debut was a monumental success. ‘ME’ debuted at number one on the Circle Album Chart, selling an astonishing 1.03 million copies in less than two days. This achievement made it the best-selling album by a female soloist in the chart’s history and the first ever to surpass one million sales, earning a million certification from the Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) in May 2023.

Acting

Jisoo’s acting career officially began in 2021 when she took on the lead role in the JTBC drama “Snowdrop”, playing the character Eun Young-ro opposite Jung Hae-in. Set in 1987 during South Korea’s political unrest, the drama showcased her range as an actress, tackling themes of romance, loyalty, and sacrifice. Despite initial controversies surrounding its historical setting, Snowdrop gained a loyal fanbase, and Jisoo’s performance was praised for its emotional depth and growth.

Following her success in Snowdrop, industry insiders and fans alike began anticipating her return to the screen. Jisoo expressed interest in continuing her acting career alongside music, balancing both with grace.

In early 2025, reports confirmed that Jisoo had received multiple offers for both Korean dramas and international productions, with her agency Blissoo stating that she was carefully reviewing projects that aligned with her creative vision. Though no second drama has been officially announced as of mid-2025, expectations remain high for her next on-screen role.

Brand Endorsements and Public Image

Jisoo has cultivated an extensive and high-profile portfolio of brand endorsements, solidifying her status as a global fashion and beauty icon. Her most prominent partnerships include serving as a global ambassador for Dior since March 2021 (initially a local ambassador for Dior Beauty in December 2019). She has actively fronted Dior campaigns, modeled for their collections, and attended prestigious fashion shows globally, often sitting front row alongside top executives. She is also a brand ambassador for Cartier since May 2022, joining their exclusive Panthère community.  

Prior to her debut with BLACKPINK, she featured in advertisements for Samsonite, Smart Uniform, LG Electronics, and Nikon. Post-debut, her endorsements expanded to include Japanese cosmetics brand Kiss Me (2018), Korean clothing brand It Michaa (2021), Korean short-form content platform CELEBe (2021), Nexon’s game MapleStory (2022), Dyson hair care products (2023) , American athletic apparel retailer Alo Yoga (2024) , and London fashion house Self-Portrait (2024).

Relationships

In August, Jisoo’s relationship with actor Ahn Bo-hyun was publicly confirmed, following reports from South Korean media outlet Dispatch that included photos of Ahn Bo-hyun visiting her home. Both their respective agencies confirmed the relationship and sought support from fans.

However, the relationship was short-lived, with reports confirming their breakup just two months later in October. The reason cited for their split was “busy schedules,” which led them to “naturally became distant”. YG Entertainment, Jisoo’s agency, confirmed the news of their separation.