Jeon Somin (Somin - KARD)

Somin KARD has become a prominent figure in the K-pop industry, captivating audiences with her exceptional vocal abilities and charismatic stage presence. As a main vocalist of the co-ed group KARD, she has played a crucial role in shaping the group's unique sound, which blends HipHop and R&B influences. Her journey from a trainee to a celebrated Korean singer showcases her dedication and talent in the competitive world of K-pop.

Born Jeon Somin in Dongjak-Gu Seoul, she embarked on her musical career at a young age, drawing inspiration from artists like Ariana Grande. Before joining KARD, Somin gained experience as a member of PURETTY and APRIL, which helped to hone her skills as a singer-songwriter. Her debut with KARD in 2017 with the single "Hola Hola" marked the beginning of a new chapter in her career, establishing her as a vital member of one of K-pop's most innovative groups under DSP Media.

Early Life and Background

Jeon Somin, born on August 22, 1996, in Seongdong District, Seoul, South Korea, grew up in a family environment that would later influence her path in the entertainment industry. As a Leo zodiac sign, Somin's charismatic personality began to shine from an early age, setting the stage for her future career as a Korean singer.

Family

Somin comes from a family with connections to the entertainment world. She has two older sisters, which likely played a role in shaping her personality and aspirations. Interestingly, Somin revealed during an interview that she is distantly related to TWICE's Jeongyeon. This connection extends to Jeongyeon's older sister, actress Seung Yeon, as Jeongyeon is the niece of Somin's father's younger brother's wife. Despite the complex family tree, Somin mentioned that she and Jeongyeon are close due to their similar ages.

Education

Somin's educational journey played a crucial role in her development as an artist. She attended Seoul Broadcasting High School, an institution known for nurturing talent in the entertainment industry. This educational background likely provided her with valuable insights and skills for her future career. After high school, Somin continued her studies at Seokyeong University, balancing her academic pursuits with her growing passion for music and performance.

Early Interests

From a young age, Somin showed a keen interest in the performing arts. In elementary school, she learned ballet, which helped develop her sense of rhythm and stage presence. This early exposure to dance would later prove beneficial in her career as an idol, where choreography plays a significant role.

As she grew older, Somin's interests expanded to include singing and watching movies. These hobbies would later influence her career choices and artistic style. Her love for music, particularly inspired by artists like Ariana Grande, began to shape her aspirations in the entertainment industry.

Somin's journey in the music industry began early when she participated as a contestant in the Baby KARA competition, finishing in second place. This experience likely fueled her determination to pursue a career in K-pop. Subsequently, she became a trainee under DSP Media, the agency that would later debut her in multiple groups before her success with KARD.

Her time as a trainee and her experiences with different groups, including PURETTY and APRIL, helped Somin refine her skills as a singer and performer. These early career steps, combined with her family background, education, and personal interests, laid the foundation for Somin's eventual debut and success as a main vocalist in the co-ed group KARD.

Pre-Debut Career

Somin's journey in the entertainment industry began long before her debut with KARD. Her pre-debut career was marked by experiences with different groups and projects, each contributing to her growth as an artist.

PURETTY

On September 5, 2012, Somin made her first foray into the music industry as a member of PURETTY, a South Korean girl group based in Japan. The group, formed under DSP Media, had plans to debut in South Korea as well. PURETTY's first performance took place at the 2012 Tokyo Toy Show, where they sang "Check it Love," the theme song for the anime "Pretty Rhythm: Dear My Future." Despite their initial success in Japan, the group's journey was short-lived. In January 2014, PURETTY disbanded without making their anticipated Korean debut. However, this setback didn't deter Somin from pursuing her dreams in the music industry.

KARA Project

Following the disbandment of PURETTY, Somin, along with her former groupmates Yoon Chae-kyung and Cho Shi-yoon, participated in the KARA Project. This reality show aimed to find new members for the established girl group KARA. The competition was fierce, with seven trainees from DSP Media vying for a spot in the group. Somin's talent and determination shone through during the show, leading her to finish in second place. Although she wasn't ultimately selected to join KARA, this experience provided valuable exposure and helped refine her skills as a performer.

APRIL

Somin's resilience and passion for music led her to another opportunity with DSP Media. On August 24, 2015, she debuted as the leader of the girl group APRIL. This marked a significant milestone in her career, as she took on a leadership role within the group. However, Somin's time with APRIL was brief. In November of the same year, just a few months after the group's debut, she made the decision to leave APRIL to focus on her studies and pursue other career opportunities.

These experiences in PURETTY, the KARA Project, and APRIL played a crucial role in shaping Somin's skills and preparing her for her future success with KARD. Each step in her pre-debut career contributed to her growth as an artist, honing her abilities as a singer, dancer, and performer. These experiences would prove invaluable when she later joined KARD, where she would find her place as a main vocalist in the co-ed group that would bring her widespread recognition in the K-pop industry.

Debut with KARD

Formation

Somin's journey with KARD began in 2016 when DSP Media announced the formation of a new co-ed group. The company revealed the members sequentially, with Somin joining J.Seph, BM, and Jiwoo to complete the lineup. KARD's unique concept assigned each member a card role: BM as the 'King', J.Seph as the 'Ace', Somin as the 'Black JokeR', and Jiwoo as the 'Color JokeR'.

Concept

KARD emerged as a rare jewel in the K-pop industry, breaking away from the traditional boy and girl group format. As a co-ed group, they aimed to lead change in an industry that often adheres to rigid structures. Their musical style is characterized by a fusion of EDM and groovy sounds, complemented by engaging choreography. BM, one of the group members, described their approach: "We just try to go with a very trendy sound with a little mix of everything. We don't want to stick to one genre, one sound — we're very open to genres these days. We want to try everything".

Reception

KARD's debut was met with significant enthusiasm both domestically and internationally. On July 19, 2017, they released their first EP, "Hola Hola," marking their official entry into the K-pop scene. The album's reception was remarkable, debuting at number 3 on Billboard's World Albums chart, number 25 on Heatseekers Albums, and number 46 on the Independent Album Chart. The title track "Hola Hola" also made waves, entering the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart at number 4.

The group's impact was immediately recognized by industry observers. Forbes noted that KARD was "headed for worldwide success" after quickly building an international presence through their pre-debut North and South American tour. Billboard magazine described them as "one of the most successful co-ed K-pop acts to ever exist".

KARD's debut marked a significant shift for Somin, showcasing her versatility as an artist. Her transition from the cute concept of APRIL to KARD's more mature image was notable. The group's debut single "Oh NaNa" presented a club hip-hop track with a darker theme, allowing Somin to display a more grown-up persona through her styling and performance.

The success of KARD's debut led to their first tour, the "Wild Kard Tour," which took place in September 2017. The tour included five European dates and five North American dates, further solidifying their international appeal. This global recognition right from their debut set the stage for KARD's continued success in the competitive world of K-pop.

Musical Style and Abilities

Somin's musical style and abilities have played a crucial role in shaping KARD's unique sound and image. As a main vocalist of the co-ed group, she has showcased her versatility and talent across various aspects of music production and performance.

Vocal Skills

Somin's vocal prowess is widely recognized within the K-pop industry. Her ability to transition seamlessly between her chest voice and falsetto is particularly noteworthy. In KARD's performances, Somin often starts with the first note, demonstrating her skill in executing beautiful transitions between her chest voice and falsetto, barely touching on her head voice in the whispery, airy parts. Her vocal control and range are impressive, allowing her to handle both powerful and delicate sections of songs with equal finesse.

One of Somin's standout vocal techniques is her smooth transition between head voice and falsetto. In the pre-chorus of certain KARD songs, she effortlessly moves from head voice to falsetto without a noticeable flip, showcasing her exceptional vocal control. This ability to navigate different vocal registers contributes significantly to KARD's dynamic sound.

Dance Abilities

Despite often being underrated in terms of dance skills, Somin has proven herself to be a formidable dancer within KARD. She possesses a brilliant sense of her body, knowing exactly when and where to move to make every count look great. Her dancing style is characterized by fluid hip and knee movements, as well as smooth shoulder motions.

Somin's versatility as a dancer allows her to excel in both masculine and feminine parts of KARD's choreography. This adaptability is particularly evident in performances like "Gunshot," where her well-rounded dance skills shine through. Her strong stage presence and energy make her captivating to watch, even when she's not in the center of the formation.

Songwriting

In addition to her vocal and dance abilities, Somin has also ventured into songwriting. She has contributed to several KARD tracks, showcasing her skills as a composer and lyricist. Some of her notable songwriting credits include "Living Good (Special Thanks To)" from the "Hola Hola" album in 2017, "Break Down" from the "Re:" album in 2022, and "Cake" from the "Icky" album in 2023.

Somin's involvement in songwriting adds depth to KARD's music, allowing the group to express more personal and authentic emotions through their songs. Her contributions to the creative process demonstrate her growth as an artist and her commitment to developing her skills beyond singing and dancing.

Personal Life

Somin's personal life reflects her multifaceted personality and interests, which extend beyond her career as a KARD member. Her hobbies, relationships, and personality traits contribute to her unique identity both on and off stage.

Hobbies

Somin's passion for music extends into her personal life. She enjoys singing and listening to HipHop and R&B in her free time. Her musical talents go beyond vocals, as she can play the piano, violin, and ocarina. This diverse instrumental skill set showcases her dedication to her craft and her love for music in various forms.

Apart from music, Somin has a keen interest in visual arts. She has been creating videos for Style-Ade, focusing on beauty and makeup tutorials. This venture allows her to express her creativity and share her expertise with fans. Additionally, Somin has a fondness for accessories, often purchasing them, though she admits to sometimes forgetting or being too lazy to wear them.

Somin's interests also include watching movies, which provides her with relaxation and inspiration. Her childhood hobby of ballet, which she learned in elementary school, has likely contributed to her grace and poise as a performer.

Relationships

Somin has cultivated friendships within the K-pop industry. She is known to be friends with Jeongyeon from Twice, Mingyu and Seungkwan from Seventeen, Hyuna, and Dreamcatcher's Dami. These connections highlight her ability to form bonds across different groups in the industry.

Interestingly, Somin revealed that she is a distant relative of Twice's Jeongyeon. Specifically, Jeongyeon is the niece of Somin's uncle's wife, creating a unique connection within the K-pop world.

In terms of romantic relationships, Somin has described her ideal type as "a kind-hearted man with a good personality." This preference reflects her values and the qualities she appreciates in a potential partner.

Personality

Somin's personality is a blend of various traits that make her a unique and compelling individual. She is known for her strong work ethic and perfectionist tendencies, always striving for excellence in her performances and endeavors. This drive for perfection sometimes manifests as stubbornness, particularly when it comes to fairness and doing what she believes is right.

Despite her professional demeanor, Somin has a softer side. She is described as gentle and kind, with a tendency to become emotional easily. Interestingly, she cries not only when sad but also when happy, touched, proud, or in love, showcasing her emotional depth and sensitivity.

Somin's personality also has a playful side. She is known to show a more childish demeanor at times, adding to her charm and relatability. Her group members often highlight her sense of humor, contributing to the dynamic within KARD.

One unique aspect of Somin's personality is her fear of animals, which stands in contrast to her otherwise confident demeanor. This phobia adds a layer of vulnerability to her character, making her more relatable to fans who might share similar fears.

Public Image and Influence

Somin's public image as a member of KARD has evolved significantly since her debut. Her unique position in one of K-pop's most successful co-ed groups has contributed to her growing influence in the industry.

Fashion

As KARD's visual, Somin has become known for her impeccable fashion sense. She has demonstrated her ability to accentuate her beauty through various styles, ranging from chic to casual. Her fashion choices often include crop tops paired with denim, showcasing her confidence and style. Somin's outfits frequently highlight her figure, with asymmetrical designs and micro-miniskirts being part of her signature look.

Somin's fashion influence extends beyond her stage outfits. She has been a content creator for Style-Ade, where she shared beauty and fashion tips with fans. This venture allowed her to showcase her expertise and connect with audiences on a more personal level. Her style choices often blend elements of street fashion with more elegant pieces, creating a unique aesthetic that resonates with her fans.

Social Media Presence

Somin maintains an active presence on social media platforms, particularly Instagram and TikTok. These platforms serve as a direct line of communication with her fans, allowing her to share behind-the-scenes glimpses of her life and work. Her social media content often includes selfies, fashion posts, and updates about KARD's activities.

On TikTok, Somin participates in various trends and challenges, showcasing her playful side and engaging with fans in a more casual setting. Her TikTok videos often feature dance challenges and lip-sync performances, which have helped to expand her reach beyond traditional K-pop audiences.

Fan Interactions

Somin is known for her warm and engaging interactions with fans. During fan signing events and meet-and-greets, she often goes out of her way to make personal connections with Hidden KARDs (KARD's fandom name). Her approachable demeanor and willingness to participate in fan events have contributed to her popularity within the fandom.

One notable aspect of Somin's fan interactions is her ability to create memorable moments during live performances. She often makes eye contact with fans in the front row, creating a sense of intimacy even in large venues. These interactions have been captured in numerous fancams, which circulate widely on social media platforms.

However, it's important to note that fan interactions in K-pop can be a sensitive topic. Fans are generally advised to respect the privacy and personal boundaries of idols, including Somin. Discussions around cultural appropriation or comparisons to other groups are also approached cautiously within the fandom to maintain a positive and supportive environment.

Achievements and Recognition

Somin's journey with KARD has been marked by numerous achievements and widespread recognition in the K-pop industry. As a member of one of the most successful co-ed groups, she has contributed significantly to KARD's rise to prominence.

Awards

KARD's innovative approach to K-pop has earned them several accolades. At the Asia Artist Awards, the group won the Rookie Award in 2017 and the New Wave Award (Music) in 2018. Their global appeal was further recognized at the CJ E&M America Awards, where they received the Hottest Rookie award in 2017. These honors highlight KARD's impact as newcomers in the industry and their ability to captivate audiences worldwide.

In 2019, KARD's growing influence in Asia was acknowledged at the Korea-China Management Awards, where they received the Asia Rising Star Award. This recognition underscores the group's expanding reach beyond South Korea and their potential for continued success in the broader Asian market.

Chart Performance

KARD's debut EP, "Hola Hola," released on July 19, 2017, showcased the group's potential for chart success. The album made an impressive debut on several Billboard charts, reaching number 3 on World Albums, number 25 on Heatseekers Albums, and number 46 on the Independent Album Chart. The title track "Hola Hola" also performed well, entering the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart at number 4.

The group's pre-debut singles also garnered attention. Their music video for "Oh NaNa" became one of the top-viewed videos in the United States for December 2016, indicating their growing international fanbase even before their official debut.

Critical Acclaim

KARD's unique concept and musical style have earned them critical acclaim from industry experts. Billboard magazine has described KARD as "one of the most successful co-ed K-pop acts to ever exist". Their brand of K-pop has been praised for being "undeniably trendy," with their discography focusing on contemporary house and dancehall vibes.

The group's international appeal was recognized early on when Billboard included KARD in its list of "10 Best New K-pop Groups in 2016," ranking them at number 8. This achievement was particularly notable as KARD made it onto the list just eight days after starting their pre-debut project.

KARD's potential for global success was further highlighted when Billboard selected them as one of the "Top 5 K-Pop Artists to Watch in 2017". The magazine cited the group's mixed-gender setup and international attention as key factors in their selection.

Despite their international success, KARD has faced some criticism for focusing primarily on the global music market. Their lack of promotions in South Korea has led to some challenges in domestic recognition. However, this has not diminished their overall impact and popularity, particularly among international K-pop fans.

Conclusion

Somin's journey as a member of KARD has been nothing short of remarkable. Her growth from a trainee to a key figure in one of K-pop's most innovative groups showcases her dedication and talent. Somin's unique vocal abilities, dance skills, and songwriting contributions have played a crucial role in shaping KARD's distinctive sound and image, helping the group to stand out in the competitive K-pop landscape.

As KARD continues to make waves both domestically and internationally, Somin's influence extends beyond her musical talents. Her fashion sense, engaging personality, and active social media presence have helped her to connect with fans on a personal level. With KARD's ongoing success and Somin's continued growth as an artist, it's clear that she will remain a significant figure in the K-pop industry for years to come.

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