Minzy/ Gong Minji (ex. 2NE1)

Minzy/ Gong Minji (ex. 2NE1) Born Jan 18th '94

Agency

MZ Entertainment (2020–present)

Viva (2020–present; Philippines)

Open Door Artist (2020–present; Philippines)

Independent (2020)

The Music Works (2016–2020)

YG Entertainment (2005–2016)

2009–2016: 2NE1

In 2009, Minzy, alongside then-labelmates CL, Dara, and Park Bom, debuted as members of 2NE1 with "Fire". Later that year, 2NE1 took a temporary hiatus as a group to release solo tracks, with Minzy and CL releasing "Please Don't Go" as a duo.

On April 5, 2016, it was announced that Minzy decided to not renew her contract with YG Entertainment and officially left the group and the agency on May 5, 2016.

2016–2018: Solo career

In May 2016, Minzy signed with The Music Works and began preparation for a solo album.

On January 17, 2017, Minzy was revealed as a cast member of the second season of Sister's Slam Dunk. The show aired its first broadcast on February 10, where Minzy was appointed as the main singer, lead dancer and choreographer for the second generation of Unnies and was later voted in as the leader of the group in the third episode. The same month, Minzy released her first solo single "I Want To Love" as part of the soundtrack of the MBC drama Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People. On April 3, Minzy announced that her debut solo mini-album Minzy Work 01 Uno will be released on April 17. The same day, she will hold her solo debut stage on The Show.

2019–present: Contract termination lawsuit and departure, "Lovely" and new agencies

In September 2019, she filed a request to terminate her contract with The Music Works and to be paid 50 million won in compensation. The injunction was denied later that year, as the court overseeing the lawsuit deemed the contract still valid.

On April 17, 2020, Minzy stated that she was parting with The Music Works to be a free agent. She also promised her fans that she will show a brighter and more confident image.

She released the digital single, "Lovely", on May 24, 2020, her first release since leaving The Music Works.

On October 22, 2020, it was revealed that Minzy had set up her own agency called MZ Entertainment.

On November 13, 2020, Filipino talent agency Viva announced that Minzy had joined the company after they had signed a partnership deal with MZ Entertainment and Open Door Artist. That same day, it was also revealed a Tagalog version of "Lovely" would be released on November 20.

On June 29, 2022, it was announced that she would be one of the three Korean mentors of the Thai reality survival show 9low on top, alongside UP10TION members Lee Jin Hyuk and Kim Woo Seok.

Korean

Mini albums

Minzy Work 01 Uno (2017)

Digital singles

"Lovely" (2020)

"Teamo" (2021)

"Fantabulous" (2021)

Collaborations

"Please Don't Go" (with CL) (2009)

OSTs

"Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People OST Part.4" ("I Want To Love") (2017)

"Partners for Justice OST Part.3" ("Walking") (2018)

Participation releases

The King of Mask Singer Episode 105 ("I Miss You" (with Sohyang) and "Hurtin Name") (2017)

The Playlist Part.2 ("My Everything") (2021)

Watcha Original <Double Trouble> Episode.1 Black Swan ("As I Told You" with Taeil) (2021)

"Watcha Original <Double Trouble> Episode.2 Crown 'Must Have Love'" (with In Seong) (2022)

"Watcha Original <Double Trouble> Episode.3 Sporty 'Energetic'" (with In Seong) (2022)

"Watcha Original <Double Trouble> Episode.4 Legend Duet – 'When We Disco'" (with Jang Hyunseung) (2022)

"Watcha Original <Double Trouble> Episode.5 History – 'Me Gustas Tu'" (with Taeil) (2022)

English

Digital singles

"All Of You Say" (2018)

Collaborations

"You Are Not Alone" (with Various Artists) (2021)

Filipino

Digital singles

"Lovely (Tagalog Version)" (2020)

(source)

Minzy Facts:

– Minzy was born in Seoul, South Korea but when she was young, she moved to Gwangju with her family.

– Minzy’s father’s surname is Lee. Gong is her mom’s surname before the marriage.

– She has one older sister Gong Minyoung who is a Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) artist.

– Nickname: Minkki.

– She won several dance awards prior to her debut at various dance competitions.

– Minzy was discovered after someone uploaded a dance audition clip of her on the internet.

– She’s the granddaughter of famous traditional dancer Gong Ok-jin.

– She attended the same dance school (Millyohrae Joy Dance Academy & Plug-in Music Academy) as  Hara (KARA), Seungri (Big Bang), and Yunho (DBSK).

– Minzy joined YG Entertainment when she was in 6th grade.

– Trained for 5 years before joining 2NE1.

– When she was in fifth or sixth grade, she was the school announcer and class president.

– She debuted with 2NE1 in 2009.

– Minzy was also part of project group Unnies.

– She likes photography and wants to become a photographer.

– Has a Gundam collection.

– She’s a fan of Black Eyed Peas.

– Minzy was on Season 2 on KBS 2TV’s Sister’s Slam Dunk.

– She knows how to knit.

– She hates scary movies.

– She listens to Reggeton but she likes every genre of music.

– Her favorite color is purple.

– She’s a huge fan of Usher, she fell in love with him when she saw him perform live; she said “When I saw him, I was thinking to myself, how can a guy be so sexy”.

– Michael Jackson is one of her musical influences.

– She can dance in a sexy way to any song, even if it’s a children song.

– She loves puppies but is scared of dogs.

– Minzy is friends with YG Dance groups HITECH and CRAZY.

– Her religion is Christian.

– Minzy opened up to her mental health according to Billboard.

– She said she started developing depression when she was 16 or 17 years old during her debut with 2NE1.

– She speaks Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese.

– Minzy left 2NE1 on April 6, 2016.

– In 2017, she appeared in King of Masked Singer as “A Richly-toned Perilla Leaf Girl”.

– She is close to Jeon Somi.

– As of early 2020, Minzy has terminated her contract with Music Works.

– In October 2020 Minzy has launched her own agency, MZ Entertainment.

Minzy’s Ideal Type: Older men

(source)