Jeon Soyeon

Biography

Jeon So-yeon, known mononymously as Soyeon, is a South Korean rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and idol. She is the leader and main rapper of the South Korean girl group I‑dle (formerly stylized as (G)I-DLE), under Cube Entertainment. She first attracted public attention through prominent survival television programs and later debuted as a solo artist before leading I-dle to international recognition.

Early Life and Education

Jeon So-yeon was born on August 26, 1998, in Gaepo-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea. From a young age, she showed interest in performing arts; she studied ballet as a child and won several competitions in her early years. However, after being inspired by performances of the K-pop group Big Bang, she shifted her focus toward a career in music.

Before debuting in the music industry, Soyeon participated in numerous auditions reportedly attending more than 20 to 30 auditions and worked as a street dancer while pursuing her artistic goals. She eventually auditioned for Cube Entertainment’s 2014 auditions and became a trainee with the company. Balancing training and her schooling, she continued her development and later graduated from Chung-Ang University in February 2017.

Career

Television Competitions and Solo Debut (2016–2017)

Soyeon first gained public attention in 2016 when she appeared as a contestant on the survival reality show Produce 101 Season 1, where she finished in 20th place. Later the same year, she competed on Unpretty Rapstar 3, a rap-focused reality competition, finishing as the second runner-up. These appearances helped establish her reputation as a skilled rapper and performer.

Following her television exposure, Soyeon signed with Cube Entertainment and made her official solo debut on November 5, 2017, releasing digital singles including “Jelly” and “Idle Song,” for which she participated in writing and composing.

Leadership of I-dle and Music Production (2018–present)

On May 2, 2018, Soyeon debuted as the leader, rapper, and principal songwriter/producer of the girl group I-dle. She has been credited with writing and producing a majority of the group’s major songs, including their debut single “Latata” and other hit tracks that contributed to the group’s commercial success.

Beyond I-dle, Soyeon has participated in notable collaborative projects. She is part of the Station Young project group under SM Station and has portrayed the character Akali in the virtual musical groups K/DA and True Damage, which are associated with League of Legends music releases.

In 2021, she released her first solo extended play Windy, showcasing her versatility as a solo artist and songwriter, with the lead single “Beam Beam.” She won her first music show trophy as a solo artist shortly after.

Artistry and Public Image

Soyeon is widely recognized for her versatile artistry, encompassing rapping, singing, songwriting, and music production. She has been described in the media as a “producer-idol” for her strong role in composing and producing music for I-dle and other artists, earning praise for her creativity and leadership.

Her music draws from a range of influences and genres, reflecting her holistic involvement in the music-making process. She is often credited with helping shape the unique musical identity of I-dle and contributing significantly to the group’s global impact.

Controversy

The Contract & Diss Rap Controversy (2024)

During (G)I-DLE’s world tour in August 2024, Soyeon modified the lyrics of her solo song to: “Contract ends in November. Who can stop me?”

• The Conflict: Her agency, Cube Entertainment, initially dismissed it as a performance stunt and claimed contract expirations weren’t until 2025. This led to Soyeon publicly calling out the company on Instagram for their “lack of flexibility” and confirming the November date.
• Resolution: After months of speculation about the group disbanding, Soyeon announced at the 2024 Melon Music Awards (MMA) that all five members had officially renewed their contracts, ending the tension.

The “SUN” Plagiarism Scandal (2022)

Soyeon produced the song “SUN” for the survival show My Teenage Girl. Following its release, listeners noticed a striking similarity to the chorus of ATEEZ’s “Wave.”

• The Misstep: Cube Entertainment attempted to add the original producer of “Wave” (Eden-ary) to the credits of “SUN” without their consent to avoid legal trouble.
• The Apology: Soyeon issued a personal apology, admitting that she had used a melody similar to an existing track and expressed regret to the original creators and fans.

Controversial Lyrical Content

As a songwriter, Soyeon often pushes boundaries, which has led to censorship:

• “Wife” (2024): The song was banned by KBS for being “too sexually suggestive” due to metaphors involving “cleaning and cooking.” While some praised it as a feminist critique of traditional gender roles, others found it inappropriate for a public broadcast.
• MAMA 2024 Performance: She faced mixed reactions for a rap that many interpreted as a reference to former member Soojin. Some fans found it touching, while others felt it was unnecessary to bring up past group trauma during a major awards show.

Recent Visual Plagiarism Claims (2024-2025)

In late 2024 and early 2025, French artist Yseult accused the creative team behind Soyeon’s solo visuals of copying her aesthetic (specifically from the “ICÔNE” project). While the director of the video admitted to using the work as a “reference,” the backlash largely targeted the production team rather than Soyeon herself.