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Kang Ji-young

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In this Korean name, the family name is Kang.
Kang Ji-young
Kang in February 2024
Born (1994-01-18) January 18, 1994 (age 30)
Paju, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
Other namesJY
EducationSungkyunkwan University
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actress
Years active2008–present
Agents
  • Sweet Power
  • SMG
RelativesKim Yoon-ji (cousin)
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Labels
Member ofKara
Korean name
Hangul
강지영
Hanja
Revised RomanizationGang Ji-yeong
McCune–ReischauerKang Chiyŏng

Kang Ji-young (Korean: 강지영; born January 18, 1994), known mononymously as Jiyoung or under the stage name JY, is a South Korean singer and actress. She rose to fame as a member of the South Korean girl group Kara, joining the group in 2008. Dubbed as "Hallyu Queens", Kara are credited with being one of the first Korean artists to achieve mainstream success in both South Korea and Japan simultaneously. Kang left Kara in April 2014, but rejoined for the group's 15th anniversary commemorative album Move Again (2022), and subsequent concert tour (2024).

After leaving Kara, Kang moved to Japan to pursue an acting career. She achieved recognition for her portrayal of characters in many live-action adaptations of popular manga series, including Yukime in the Nippon TV series Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube (2014), Irina Jelavić in the Assassination Classroom duology (2015–2016), and Itori in the film Tokyo Ghoul S (2019). She received further praise for playing multiple characters in the science-fiction thriller series Orphan Black – 7 Genes (2017–2018). In addition to her Japanese-speaking roles, Kang has continued to appear in Korean dramas with a lead role in the JTBC series Sweet Munchies (2020), and special appearances in Let Me Be Your Knight (2022) and Doctor Cha (2023).

While in Japan, Kang pursued a career as a solo artist, signing a recording contract with Sony. She released her debut studio album, Many Faces (2017), which spawned two top-ten singles in Japan, "Saigo no Sayonara" and "Suki na Hito ga Iru Koto". The latter received a platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan. Aside from music and acting, Kang's modelling work includes walking in the Tokyo Girls Collection and GirlsAward shows, and being an exclusive model for the women's fashion magazine Non-no between 2014 and 2016.

Early life and education

[edit]

Kang Ji-young was born on January 18, 1994, in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.[1] She has two older sisters.[2] At the age of 14, Kang auditioned for DSP Media and was accepted as a trainee in June 2008.[3] She was encouraged to audition by her cousin, actress Kim Yoon-ji, who was also a trainee at the same company at the time.[3]

Kang attended Bongilcheon Middle School in Paju.[4] After moving into a dormitory in Seoul with her fellow Kara members, she transferred to Kwanghee Middle School, and then attended Muhak Girls' High School, graduating in 2012.[4] Following high school, in February 2013 she enrolled at Sungkyunkwan University, majoring in performing arts.[5]

Career

[edit]

2008–2014: Kara

[edit]
Main article: Kara (South Korean band)

Jiyoung joined the girl group Kara in 2008 along with member Hara, following the departure of former member Kim Sung-hee. She was 14 years old at the time, making her the youngest member of the group.

Jiyoung was the only Korean female singer to be featured on CDTV Japan's Favorite Female Artist Ranking for 2011, where she was ranked at #21.

On January 15, 2014, it was announced that she would leave the group once her contract expired in April 2014 to focus on her studies with acting and language skills in London.[6][7][8] In 2022, she rejoined the group for their 15th anniversary promotions.

2014–present: Solo activities as actress and other works

[edit]

After leaving Kara, Jiyoung signed with the agency Sweet Power to resume her activities in Japan as an actress, using her name in kanji, 知英. She made her first appearance in the 19th Tokyo Girls Collection fashion show in the Saitama Super Arena on September 6.[9]

Jiyoung's first work in Japan was the live-action of Hell Teacher Nube, where she played the heroine, Yukime.

In December 2015, Sony Music announced that Jiyoung would debut as a singer under the name of JY. Her first solo single was "The Last Farewell" (最後のサヨナラ, saigo no sayonara), for the OST for the Japan NTV drama Higanbana.[10]

On March 18, 2016, she released her debut solo EP as JY, Radio, consisting of three tracks. Two of the three tracks were released with music videos.[11][12] "Radio" was written by London-based songwriter and producer MNEK, while Darren Craig directed its music video. Radio peaked at #2 on the iTunes Pop Top Song Chart.[13] It was marketed in the US and other parts of Asia in addition to South Korea and Japan.[10]

In February 2022, it is reported that Kang has decided not to renew her contract with KeyEast.[14]

On April 6, 2022, it was announced that Kang signed with ELRIS Entertainment.[15]

In July 2022 Kang released Project solo Lucid Dream[16]

Discography

[edit]
For Ji-young's works with Kara, see Kara discography.

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Album details Peak positions Sales
JPN
[17]
Many Faces ~Tamensei~
(Many Faces～多面性～) 		12

Extended plays

[edit]
Title Album details Peak positions Sales
JPN
[17]
Hoshi ga Furu Mae ni
(星が降る前に) 		114 —

Singles

[edit]

As lead artist

[edit]
Title Year Peak positions Sales
[A] 		Album
KOR
[19] 		JPN
[17] 		JPN
Hot
[20]
"Merry Love" (with Kim Sung-je)[21] 2010 — — 16 — Non-album singles
"My Love" (with Park Gyu-ri)[22] — — — Daemul OST
"Rainbow Rose"[23] 2012 — — — Rainbow Rose OST
"Wanna Do" 100 — — Kara Solo Collection
"Radio"[B] 2016 — — 69
  • JPN: 8,850 (digital)
 Many Faces
"Saigo no Sayonara"[25]
(最後のサヨナラ) 		— 7 10
  • JPN: 17,104
"Suki na Hito ga Iru Koto"[26]
(好きな人がいること) 		— 6 3
  • JPN: 31,099
  • RIAJ: Platinum (digital)[27]
  • RIAJ: Gold (streaming)
"Fake" (フェイク) — 25 —
"Koiwo Shiteitakoto"
(恋をしていたこと) 		— 24 —
"Joshi Modoki"[29][30] (女子モドキ) 2017 — — 28 —
"Goldmine" — — — Non-album singles
"Secret Crush - Koi Yamerarenai / My ID"
(Secret Crush ～恋やめられない～) 		— 29 —
"Namida no Riyuu" (涙の理由) 2018 — — —
"Lucid Dream" 2022 — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.
[edit]
Title Year Peak positions Sales
[A] 		Album
KOR
[19] 		KOR
Hot
[31]
"Nunibusyeo" (눈이부셔)[32]
(Jumper feat. Ji-young) 		2009 — — — Non-album singles
"Mermaid Princess" (인어공주)[33]
(with Yoon Bo-ra, Lizzy, Han Sun-hwa, Heo Ga-yoon) 		2012 10 12 Mystic White
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Other appearances

[edit]
Song Year Other artists Album
"Hayangyeoul" (하얀겨울)
(Mr.2 cover) 		2011 Nicole Jung, Han Seung-yeon Immortal Song 2: Christmas Special

Video albums

[edit]
Title Album details Peak positions Sales
JPN
[17]
JY 1st LIVE TOUR “Many Faces 2017” 35 —

Songwriting credits

[edit]
List of songs, showing year released, artist name, and name of the album
Title Year Artist(s) Album Composer Lyricist Ref.
"Wanna Do" 2012 Herself Kara Solo Collection No Yes [35]
"Sayonara Watashino Shojyo" (さよなら私の少女; lit. "Farewell, My Girl") 2016 "Saigo no Sayonara" (single) No Yes [36]
"Suki na Hito ga Iru Koto" (好きな人がいること; lit. "The One I Love is Here") Many Faces No Yes [37]
"Hello Mr." "Suki na Hito ga Iru Koto" (single) No Yes [38]
"Koiwo Shiteitakoto" (恋をしていたこと; lit. "I Was in Love") Many Faces No Yes [39]
"Konomamade" (このままで; lit. "Like This") 2017 No Yes [40]
"Letter" No Yes [41]
"Secret Crush" (Secret Crush ～恋やめられない～; lit. "Secret Crush – Can't Stop Loving") Non-album singles Yes Yes [42]
"Lucid Dream" 2022 No Yes [43]
"Happy Hour" Kara Move Again No Yes [35]
[44]
"When I Move" Yes Yes
"Oxygen" No Yes

Filmography

[edit]
Key
† Denotes productions that have not yet been released

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2013 Kara the Animation Herself (voice)
2015 Assassination Classroom Irina Jelavić
Detective Conan: Sunflowers of Inferno Museum Guide (voice)
How Is the Sky Over There? Ena Short film
2016 Assassination Classroom: Graduation Irina Jelavić
Life Is... Yuna Short film
Kataomoi Spiral [ja] So-yeon
2017 DC Super Heroes vs. Eagle Talon Harley Quinn (voice) [45]
2018 Reon [ja] Reon Takanashi
Though It Is My Life [ja] Mizuho Kaneshiro
Yaru Onna: She's a Killer Aiko
2019 Tokyo Ghoul S Itori
And Life Goes On [ja] Han Yu-ri
Boom! Sukehira [ja] Ayane Sukehira
2021 Love and the Grand Tug-of-war [ja] Yeo Ji-hyun [46]
2023 Love Reset Sang-ah Cameo

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2008 Here He Comes [ko] School girl Cameo
2011 Urakara Ji-young Main role
2012 Rainbow Rose [ko] Han Yu-ri Lead role
2014 Secret Love [zh] Park So-yeol Episode: "Lilac"
Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube Yukime Main role
Higanbana: Women's Crime File [ja] Kaoruko Nagami Television film
2015 Tamiou [ja] Erika Murano Main role
2016 Tamiou: New Conspiracy [ja] Television film
Whispers from a Crime Scene [ja] Kaoruko Nagami Main role
A Girl & Three Sweethearts Jun Yoshioka Episode: "That's All"
Doctor-X Yuka Nishino Cameo (season 4, episode 7)
Mission Commander Ayaka Goma [ja] Sonia Television film
2017 Osaka Loop Line: Part 2 [ja] Ji-hyun Episode: "Tsuruhashi Station"
2017–2018 Orphan Black – 7 Genes Sara Aoyama / Maoko Shiina / various Lead role
2018 Wish Upon a Star Himeno Episode: "One Week Until Fate"
2019 Your Home Is My Business! Second Attack Nana Miyadera Cameo (episode 5)
And Life Goes On [ja] Han Yu-ri Main role
2020 Sweet Munchies Kim Ah-jin Lead role
2022 Let Me Be Your Knight Nina 2 episodes [47]
2023 Doctor Cha Yoo Ji-seon 6 episodes [48][49]
2024 I Kill You † Sun-woo / Ji-yeon Lead role, post-production [50]

Radio shows

[edit]
Date Name Note
September 23, 2009 – April 14, 2010 Super Junior's Kiss the Radio (Sukira) Fixed guest DJ with Gyuri
May 5, 2010 - October 3, 2011 MBC "Stop the Boring Time" (ShimShimTaPa (SSTP)) with Gyuri and Shindong

Stage credits

[edit]
Year Production Role Notes Ref.
2016 Sweet Charity Charity Hope Valentine Tokyo Galactic Theater
2018 Love Letters Melissa Sogetsu Art Center

Concert tours

[edit]
JY 1st Live Tour "Many Faces 2017"[51]
Date City Country Venue
March 3, 2017 Tokyo Japan Zepp DiverCity
May 13, 2017 Nagoya Zepp Nagoya
May 14, 2017 Osaka Zepp Namba

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Tomohide (Author); et al. (November 12, 2014), ~Umaretate no Watashi~ Tomohide Monogatari Jiyoung Story (in Japanese), Takashi Noguchi (Photos) (Softcover ed.), Tokyo: Kodansha, ISBN 978-4-062-19148-7 {{citation}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  • Tomohide (August 27, 2015), Tomohide Photobook Grow Up! (in Japanese) (Softcover ed.), Tokyo: Magazine House, ISBN 978-4-838-72775-9
  • Tokyo News Tsushinsha (September 23, 2016), Tomohide Photobook THE FIRST STAGE, TOKYO NEWS MOOK (in Japanese) (Mook ed.), Tokyo, Japan: Tokyo News Service, ISBN 978-4-863-36582-7, archived from the original on July 6, 2019, retrieved July 6, 2019
  • Leslie Kee (June 24, 2016), Jiyoung 2nd Photo Book "Bi Gently": Super Jiyoung (in Japanese), Takashi Noguchi (Large book ed.), Tokyo: Shogakukan, ISBN 978-4-096-82221-0[permanent dead link‍]

Endorsements

[edit]
Year Commercial Notes
2010 Karaya with Goo Ha-ra and Park Gyu-ri
2011 Nature Republic with Goo Ha-ra and Park Gyu-ri
Union Bay Until 2013 with Han Seung-yeon and Lee Min-ki

Awards

[edit]
Year Award Category Work Result
2012 Mnet 20's Choice Awards Upcoming 20's — Nominated
2015 87th Drama Academy Award Best Supporting Actress Tamiou Nominated
2016 88th Drama Academy Award Best OST Radio & Saigo No Sayonara Nominated
Supporting Actress Higanbana: Keishichou Sousa Nanaka Nominated
2018 10th Okinawa International Movie Festival Okina Audience Award Reon Won

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Korean single section is a digital sales only by Gaon Music Chart and Japanese single section is a CD single sales by Oricon
  2. ^ "Radio" was an English digital single with two B-side song. It was released by Sony Music Japan in Japan and international.[24]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Mark Russell (29 April 2014). K-Pop Now!: The Korean Music Revolution. Tuttle Publishing. p. 94. ISBN 978-1-4629-1411-1.
  2. ^ Kang, Sun-ae (July 18, 2010). "카라 강지영 세자매, 똑같은 외모에 네티즌 '깜짝'" [Kara Kang Ji Young's three sisters, netizens 'surprised' by their identical appearance] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024 – via Daum.
  3. ^ a b Lee, Na-rin (November 30, 2021). "[SBS Star] Kang Ji Young Reveals How She Made Debut as KARA Thanks to Her Cousin NS Yoon-G". SBS News. Archived from the original on August 18, 2022. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Kang, Bo-hyun (February 8, 2012). "무학여고 강지영, 젖살 쏘옥...파주꼬마, 이제는 '성인돌'" [Educated high schooler Kang Ji-young... Paju kid, now 'adult-dol']. Voice of the People. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  5. ^ Kang, Hye-jin (February 28, 2013). "Gang Ji Young & Krystal at university entrance ceremony". Star News. Retrieved November 13, 2024 – via Yahoo News.
  6. ^ "[Breaking] DSP Media releases official statement to confirm Jiyoung's leave in April".
  7. ^ "DSP Confirms Kang Ji Young's Departure from KARA in Official Statement". Soompi. 15 January 2014.
  8. ^ "DSP 측 "강지영 오늘(5일) 런던유학, 전속계약 종료"(전문)". 5 April 2014. Nate. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  9. ^ "'Jiyoung signs with Japanese agency Sweet Power to start her acting career". Allkpop. August 20, 2014.
  10. ^ a b "FORMER MEMBER OF KARA KANG JI YOUNG DEBUTED AS A SOLO". KOREATIDE. March 16, 2016. Archived from the original on July 21, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2016.
  11. ^ "JY-Radio". YouTube. March 15, 2016. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
  12. ^ "JY-I'm Just Not Into You". YouTube. March 15, 2016. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
  13. ^ "Former KARA Member Kang Jiyoung To Debut As JY". kpopstarz. March 16, 2016.
  14. ^ Hwang So-young (February 11, 2022). "[단독] 카라 출신 강지영, FA 됐다…키이스트와 아름다운 이별" [[Exclusive] Jiyoung Kang, a former member of KARA, became a free agent... A beautiful farewell to Keyeast] (in Korean). JTBC. Retrieved February 11, 2022 – via Naver.
  15. ^ Hwang So-young (April 6, 2022). "카라 강지영, 이엘라이즈와 전속 계약 [공식]" [KARA's Jiyoung Kang, exclusive contract with ELRIS [Official]] (in Korean). OSEN. Retrieved April 6, 2022 – via Daum.
  16. ^ Kim Ye-eun (July 4, 2022). "강지영, 신곡 '루시드 드림' 티저 이미지…매혹적 아우라" [Jiyoung Kang, teaser image for new song 'Lucid Dream'... alluring aura] (in Korean). X-ports News. Retrieved July 4, 2022 – via Naver.
  17. ^ a b c d "JY Japanese Discography on ORICON STYLE". Oricon Chart (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  18. ^ "Weekly CD Album Ranking May 22, 2017 on ORICON STYLE". Oricon Chart (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  19. ^ a b "Gaon Digital Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). KMCIA. Archived from the original on February 4, 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  20. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot 100". Japan Hot 100. Billboard. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  21. ^ "Merry Love - Sungje & Jiyoung". iTunes (in Japanese). 23 February 2011. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
  22. ^ "· 대물(OST): SBS-TV 수목 드라마, Part 7". Hanteo (in Korean). Retrieved July 27, 2015.
  23. ^ "레인보우 로즈(OST), Pt.1". Hanteo (in Korean). Retrieved July 27, 2015.
  24. ^ "RADIO (Single) - JY". amazon.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved October 12, 2016.
  25. ^ "JY トップアルバム". iTunes (in Japanese). Retrieved July 17, 2016.
  26. ^ "JY - Sukina Hitoga Irukoto". iTunes. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  27. ^ レコード協会調べ 6月度有料音楽配信認定 [Record Association Investigation: June Digital Music Download Certifications] (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. July 24, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  28. ^ a b Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  29. ^ "People look 100%" Theme Song "Girls Modoki" MUSIC VIDEO short version released!. jiyoung.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 26, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
  30. ^ 女子モドキ - JY. Recochoku (in Japanese). Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  31. ^ "Korea K-Pop Hot 100 Music Chart". Billboard. 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
  32. ^ 눈이부셔[디지털]. Hanteo (in Korean). Retrieved July 27, 2015.
  33. ^ "2012 SBS 가요대전 The Color Of K-Pop : Mystic White". Mnet (TV channel) (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 18, 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
  34. ^ "2013년 01주차 Download Chart". Gaon (in Korean). Retrieved July 27, 2015.
  35. ^ a b "Songs Registered Under Kang Ji-young (10004320)". Korea Music Copyright Association (in Korean). Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  36. ^ "Sayonara Watashino Shojyo by JY on Apple Music". music.apple.com. March 16, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  37. ^ "Suki na Hito ga Iru Koto by JY on Apple Music". music.apple.com. August 15, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  38. ^ "Hello Mr. by JY on Apple Music". music.apple.com. August 15, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  39. ^ "Koiwo Shiteitakoto by JY on Apple Music". music.apple.com. December 7, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  40. ^ "Konomamade by JY on Apple Music". music.apple.com. May 3, 2017. Retrieved October 30, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  41. ^ "Letter by JY on Apple Music". music.apple.com. May 3, 2017. Retrieved October 30, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  42. ^ "Secret Crush by JY on Apple Music". music.apple.com. December 20, 2017. Retrieved October 31, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  43. ^ 강지영 Jiyoung Kang - 「 Lucid Dream 」 Official M/V. 내 이름은 강지영. July 7, 2022. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via YouTube.
  44. ^ "「 MOVE AGAIN 」 TRACKLIST". karaofficial.kr (in Korean). November 15, 2022. Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  45. ^ サイト名. dc-taka.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 20, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  46. ^ "大綱引の恋". eiga.com. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  47. ^ Woo Da-bin (December 6, 2021). "[단독] 카라 출신 강지영, 국내 활동 본격 시동…'너의 밤' 특별출연" [[Exclusive] Kang Ji-young, a former member of KARA, starts full-fledged domestic activities… Special appearance in 'Your Night'] (in Korean). Hankook Ilbo. Retrieved December 11, 2021 – via Naver.
  48. ^ Kang Nae-ri (April 14, 2023). "[단독] 카라 강지영, '닥터 차정숙' 특별출연…연기 활동 박차" [[Exclusive] KARA's Kang Ji-young makes a special appearance in 'Doctor Cha'... spur of acting] (in Korean). YTN. Retrieved April 14, 2023 – via Naver.
  49. ^ Lee Seung-gil (May 1, 2023). "카라 강지영이 미혼모 역할이라니…'닥터 차정숙' 깜짝등장" [Kara Kang Ji-young playing the role of a single mother... 'Doctor Cha Jeong-sook' makes a surprise appearance] (in Korean). My Daily. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  50. ^ 조, 지영 (2023-06-23). "[공식] 강지영X이기광, '말죽거리 잔혹사' 감독 첫 드라마 '아이 킬 유' 캐스팅". 스포츠조선 – via daum.
  51. ^ "JY 1st Live Tour "Many Faces 2017"". ontheline.co.jp. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
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