Who Is (G)I-DLE's Leader Soyeon? The Self-Made K-pop Producer's Story

GIDLE leader Soyeon has achieved remarkable success as a producer,earning up to $720,000 in a single monththrough her musical endeavors. Despite facing rejection in 20-30 singing auditions as a child, she emerged as one of K-pop's most influential figures, writing and producing numerous hits including "Tomboy" and "Nxde."

Born in Seoul on August 26, 1998, Soyeon initially didn't plan to become the main songwriter for her group. However, she took on the responsibility and has since co-written and produced the majority of (G)I-DLE's discography. Her impact extends beyond the group, as demonstrated by her collaboration with Riot Games for K/DA, whose debut song "Pop/Stars" garnered 30 million YouTube views in just five days.

From Ballet to K-pop: Soyeon's Early Journey

At first, Soyeon's artistic journey began far from the rap stage she now commands. As a young student at Kuryong Elementary School, she immersed herself in the world of ballet, demonstrating remarkable talent in numerous competitions.

Her childhood was marked by a unique educational path. After attending a Buddhist kindergarten, she transitioned to homeschooling, which allowed her to focus intensively on her performing arts training. Her mother, recognizing her daughter's potential, encouraged her to pursue admission to a performing arts high school.

Everything changed when Soyeon encountered BIGBANG's performances during her third grade. The group's dynamic stage presence and musical style captivated her, prompting a dramatic shift in her artistic aspirations. Consequently, she made the bold decision to abandon her ballet career and pursue a path in K-pop.

What followed was a testament to her determination. Without telling anyone, Soyeon attended between 20 and 30 singing auditions. Although each attempt ended in rejection, she remained undeterred. These setbacks, furthermore, led her to explore different avenues within the performing arts.

Following these initial struggles, Soyeon discovered her aptitude for rap. This revelation opened new doors, attracting interest from various entertainment companies. Nevertheless, she maintained a clear vision for her artistic direction, choosing to decline offers that didn't align with her musical aspirations.

During this period of transition, Soyeon returned to her roots in dance, this time as a street performer. This experience proved valuable, as it was her dance skills that eventually caught the attention of Cube Entertainment during their 2014 auditions. Even then, her path wasn't straightforward - she started as a "pre-trainee" rather than a full trainee, facing additional challenges due to her unique style that didn't fit the company's initial plans for a cutesy girl group concept.

Throughout these early experiences, Soyeon demonstrated the same determination and creative vision that would later define her leadership of (G)I-DLE. Her journey from ballet shoes to the recording studio exemplifies how artistic evolution can lead to unexpected yet remarkable destinations.

Rising Through Reality Shows

In January 2016, Soyeon embarked on her journey through South Korea's competitive reality show circuit, representing Cube Entertainment on Produce 101. Throughout the show's run, she demonstrated remarkable talent, accordingly reaching her peak position at 10th place during the fifth episode.

Specifically, her time on Produce 101 proved challenging as she struggled with the show's structured format. "I wanted to do music, but here I had to do something they told me to do," she reflected on her experience. Indeed, the reality of the competition left her questioning, "Is this what a singer is?".

Nonetheless, a significant turning point came in July 2016 as she joined Unpretty Rapstar Season 3. On this platform, the future GIDLE leader found her authentic voice through rap performances. The show's format allowed her to:

Her participation in Unpretty Rapstar proved transformative, particularly as she advanced to become the second runner-up. Moreover, three of her tracks earned spots on the show's final compilation album, establishing her credibility as a serious artist.

Throughout these experiences, Soyeon's reputation in the industry grew steadily. Her performances caught the attention of both audiences and industry professionals, subsequently leading to an exclusive contract with Cube Entertainment in December 2016.

The contrast between her experiences on both shows proved instrumental in shaping her artistic identity. While Produce 101 presented challenges to her creative expression, Unpretty Rapstar offered an environment where she could showcase her authentic talents. "When I rapped, I felt better again, and my happiness level increased," she shared about her time on Unpretty Rapstar.

These reality show appearances, furthermore, laid the foundation for her future role as GIDLE's leader. The experiences equipped her with valuable insights into the entertainment industry, which she now uses to mentor others. Presently, she draws from these experiences in her role as a mentor on shows like My Teenage Girl, where she emphasizes the importance of honest feedback and responsible evaluation.

Becoming GIDLE's Leader

In January 2018, Cube Entertainment announced a pivotal decision that would reshape their future: Soyeon would lead their new girl group, (G)I-DLE. At the time, the company was experiencing financial difficulties and struggling to produce successful K-pop groups. Certainly, this made Soyeon's appointment as leader even more significant.

Formation of the group

The formation of (G)I-DLE marked a turning point for both Soyeon and Cube Entertainment. Basically, the group's debut was facing delays because they lacked a suitable song. Taking initiative, Soyeon stepped forward with a bold solution: "I should write our title track". This decision proved transformative, as she went on to write, produce, and arrange their debut song "Latata".

Leadership Philosophy

Soyeon's leadership philosophy centers on three core principles:

Additionally, she demonstrates remarkable attention to detail in her leadership approach. For instance, when creating songs, she considers each member's unique pronunciation patterns and vocal strengths. She writes parts specifically tailored to Minnie's ability with 'R' sounds, Shuhua's distinctive 'La' pronunciation, and Yuqi's powerful tone.

Building Team Dynamics

The group's success stems from their strong team dynamics, built on a foundation of transparent communication. "We're very honest," Soyeon explains. "If there's anything we need to solve, we say it straight, keep it clear". This approach has fostered trust and mutual understanding among members.

Altogether, Soyeon's leadership style combines creative direction with emotional intelligence. Her fellow members recognize the weight of her responsibilities, with Minnie noting, "Many people know Soyeon as our leader and that she is charismatic, but we all know it's tough to lead all of us and be responsible for everything for (G)I-DLE".

Similarly, her approach to group identity reflects her innovative vision. Instead of conforming to typical K-pop conventions, she emphasizes the importance of "making music without prejudice". Under her guidance, (G)I-DLE has established itself as a multinational group that transcends language barriers.

The Self-Made Producer

Behind the mixing desk, Soyeon's journey into music production began unexpectedly. Notably, she never intended to become (G)I-DLE's primary songwriter, stepping into the role only when the group's debut faced delays without a suitable song.

Learning music production

The GIDLE leader's production journey started with her rap background, where she primarily focused on writing lyrics and verses. As a result, she expanded her skills by taking MIDI classes and learning beat production. Her determination to master production stemmed from a genuine desire to create music that would resonate with audiences.

Developing her signature style

In fact, Soyeon's approach to music production sets her apart in the K-pop industry. Above all, she emphasizes creating music without prejudice, focusing on emotional resonance that transcends language barriers. Her signature style involves:

Creative process behind hit songs

The creative process behind Soyeon's hit productions reflects her methodical approach to songwriting. She begins by writing melodies on a blank page, often using just a piano or basic beat. Uniquely, she considers her bandmates throughout the composition process, carefully avoiding lyrics centered around "me" or "I".

Her production prowess has earned her significant recognition in the industry. Remarkably, she became the first fourth-generation girl group member to be listed in KOMCA's top 100, establishing herself as the youngest among female K-pop idols known for independent production.

Through consistent success with hits like "LATATA," "TOMBOY," and "Nxde," Soyeon has proven her capabilities as a producer. Her involvement extends beyond (G)I-DLE, as she has contributed to other artists' work, including CLC's "No" and Apink's Namjoo's "Bird".

The evolution of her production style reflects both artistic growth and practical necessity. Her ability to blend various genres such as hip-hop, pop, and EDM has created a distinctive sound that has become (G)I-DLE's trademark. This versatility, coupled with her storytelling abilities, has positioned her as one of K-pop's most influential producers.

Breaking K-pop Conventions

Standing at the forefront of change in K-pop, GIDLE's leader has emerged as a powerful voice challenging traditional industry norms. Straightaway, her approach to music production and artistry has set new standards for female empowerment in the industry.

Challenging industry norms

Markedly different from conventional K-pop practices, Soyeon advocates for authentic artistic expression. She emphasizes that true artistry lies in creating without prejudice. Her stance on creative freedom has led to significant achievements:

Empowering female artistry

Through her work, Soyeon undeniably champions women's voices in the industry. Her commitment to addressing gender-based double standards is evident in her approach to songwriting and production. "There are many songs by male artists that talk about sex. However, in Korea, when female musicians sing about sex, they express it metaphorically," she points out.

Her advocacy extends beyond music creation. She actively works toward:

Innovation in concepts

The GIDLE leader's innovative approach to concept creation has simultaneously challenged and enriched K-pop's creative landscape. Her work on "Nxde" exemplifies this philosophy, as she transformed a potentially controversial topic into a thoughtful commentary on society's perception of women.

Under her guidance, (G)I-DLE has become known for tackling unconventional themes. "We don't try too hard to keep up with the restrictions because we're a K-pop group," she explains. This fearless approach to creativity has led to groundbreaking releases like "Wife," which, notwithstanding its controversial reception, opened important discussions about gender roles in Korean society.

Her innovative spirit extends to mentoring others, where she emphasizes the importance of authentic expression over conformity. "Know yourself," she advises aspiring artists. "That kind of insight is all you have to have. And courage".

Through these efforts, Soyeon has established herself as more than just GIDLE's leader; she has become a catalyst for change in an industry often resistant to breaking from tradition. Her work continues to inspire a new generation of artists who dare to challenge conventional boundaries and express their authentic selves.

Beyond GIDLE: Solo Ventures

Venturing beyond her role as GIDLE's creative force, Soyeon has carved out an impressive path as a solo artist and collaborator. Her debut single "Jelly" in November 2017 marked the beginning of her individual journey, followed by her first EP "Windy" in July 2021.

Individual projects and collaborations

Soyeon's solo endeavors have earned her significant recognition, notably winning her first music show as a solo artist on The Show with "Beam Beam". Her collaborative spirit has led to numerous partnerships, including:

Gaming industry partnerships

Primarily, Soyeon's venture into gaming entertainment has yielded remarkable success. Her collaboration with Riot Games as part of K/DA saw their debut song "Pop/Stars" reaching 30 million views in five days and 100 million views within a month. The track claimed the top spot on Billboard's World Digital Songs chart.

Essentially, this success led to her involvement in another gaming collaboration, True Damage, where she performed alongside international artists Becky G, Keke Palmer, Thutmose, and Duckwrth. The multilingual track "Giants" showcased her versatility, featuring verses in Korean alongside English and Spanish performances.

Business achievements

The GIDLE leader's accomplishments in 2023 underscore her growing influence in the industry. Her accolades include:

"Best Producer (Overseas)" at the Asian Pop Music Awards 2023

Ultimately, Soyeon's commitment to her original company was confirmed during her acceptance speech at the 2024 Melon Music Awards, where she announced the renewal of her contract with Cube Entertainment. "Good music will repay you. I will work harder," she declared, affirming her dedication to continuing her artistic journey.

Impact on K-pop Industry

Transforming the landscape of K-pop, Soyeon's influence extends far beyond her role as GIDLE's leader. Her success has reshaped industry expectations about female artists' capabilities and creative control.

Changing girl group paradigms

When Cube Entertainment was struggling with financial losses and lacking successful groups, Soyeon's leadership and creative direction turned the tide. Her debut EP with GIDLE reached No. 5 on Billboard's world albums chart, followed by their second EP achieving the same feat.

Primarily, her approach challenged the traditional K-pop system where girl groups often had minimal creative input. As the first successful female Korean idol who produces music for both her group and other artists, she established a new paradigm for girl group operations.

Influence on future generations

The impact of Soyeon's success resonates throughout the industry, inspiring a new generation of artists. Notable figures who have cited her as their inspiration include:

Essentially, her influence extends beyond individual artists to affect broader industry practices. Media outlets have recognized her as a "triple threat" and "Alpha girl" for her versatility in rapping, singing, songwriting, and record production.

Industry recognition

The depth of Soyeon's impact on the K-pop industry is reflected in her unprecedented achievements. Notably, she secured full membership in KOMCA (Korea Music Copyright Association), an honor bestowed upon only a select few each year. This recognition requires:

Her contributions have earned her the nickname "producer-dol," and industry professionals like RBW's Cosmic Sound and Cosmic Girl have described her as a "genius songwriter-idol". Ultimately, journalist Park Eun-hae dubbed her the Korean Lady Gaga, citing her courage to challenge conventional concepts and unique position as a writer, producer, and performer.

The ripple effect of her success has influenced the broader K-pop landscape, particularly in how girl groups approach creative control and artistic expression. Her work has helped shift the industry from traditional gender roles in K-pop girl groups, which historically portrayed the male gaze concept.