(G)I-DLE – Jeon So-yeon Biography: Profile, Net Worth 2025, Career, and Background

Profile:

Birth Name: Jeon So-yeon (전소연)  

Stage Name: Soyeon (소연)  

Birthday: August 26, 1998  

Birthplace: Gaepo-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea  

Nationality: South Korean   

Fandom Name: Neverland (shared with (G)I-DLE)  

Fandom Colors: Neon-Red, Chic-Violet

Soyeon is well-known for her abilities to create songs that reach the top of the charts, her powerful stage presence, and her incisive rap delivery. She stands out among the fourth generation of K-pop celebrities due to her leadership in (G)I-DLE and her contributions to the group's songs.

Early Life and Education:

Her parents, Jeon Byeong-hwa and Ju Hye-kyung, as well as her younger sister, Jeon So-hee (born in 2000), make up the family of Jeon So-yeon, who was born in Gaepo-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul. Malrang, a member of the group Lionesses, is another cousin of hers. A varied and imaginative childhood characterised Soyeon's formative years. After being exposed to several cultural viewpoints at a Buddhist kindergarten, she was homeschooled before starting Kuryong Elementary School.
Soyeon had a strong love for ballet as a child and trained hard, participating in several events where she frequently won. Her commitment to ballet demonstrated her ambition and discipline, traits that would eventually characterise her music career. But Soyeon changed her attention from ballet to music after seeing the performance of the second-generation K-pop group Big Bang, which sparked her desire to pursue a career in performing. She surreptitiously tried out for 20 to 30 singing contests, but was consistently turned down because of the agencies' differing musical tastes. She was unfazed and switched to rapping, which led to possibilities that complemented her creative vision.
Although there are little specifics regarding Soyeon's formal schooling beyond elementary school, her high school years were crucial. She learnt how to compose captivating rap lines from a rap teacher around this time, which greatly influenced her lyrical and performing abilities. Her growth as a rapper and songwriter was greatly aided by this mentorship, which paved the way for her future achievements.

Career:

Pre-Debut and Early Recognition:

Her 2016 performance on Mnet's Produce 101, a competitive reality show designed to create a girl group, was the beginning of Soyeon's path to fame. Even though she didn't make the final roster and finished in 20th place, the public was drawn to her personality and rap abilities. She participated in the rap competition show Unpretty Rapstar 3 later that year and placed second runner-up. She became a growing star in the K-pop and hip-hop industries as a result of her performances, which demonstrated her lyrical skill and stage charisma.
A pivotal moment in Soyeon's career occurred when she inked an exclusive contract with Cube Entertainment in December 2016. On November 5, 2017, she made her solo debut with the tune "Jelly," a daring introduction to her distinct sound. Although she garnered positive reviews for her solo debut, it was her subsequent group debut that would propel her to international prominence.

(G)I-DLE and Leadership:

Cube Entertainment revealed on January 11, 2018, that Soyeon would make her debut as the lead rapper and leader of their new female group, (G)I-DLE. On May 2, 2018, the group—now stylised as I-DLE—made their debut with the lead track "LATATA" and their mini-album I Am. "LATATA," which Soyeon penned and composed, was a commercial triumph and peaked at number five on the Billboard World Albums Chart. The tone for (G)I-DLE's self-produced identity was established by her creative control, which also included writing five of the tracks on the debut EP.
Hits like "HANN," "Oh My God," "Hwaa," "TOMBOY," and "Dumdi Dumdi" are the result of Soyeon's work as the group's main songwriter and producer. Industry insiders have commended her ability to create memorable melodies, well-placed parts, and potent "killing parts." She was formally appointed (G)I-DLE's general producer in 2022, where she was in charge of concept photography, music videos, and even member visuals. Her contributions to albums such as I Made (2019), I Trust (2020), and I Burn (2021) have cemented (G)I-DLE's standing as a creatively avant-garde outfit.
The impact of Soyeon goes beyond (G)I-DLE. She has composed and produced songs for various singers, such as SHINee Key's "I Wanna Be," CLC's "No," and JBJ's "Say My Name." On January 31, 2024, she was promoted to a full member of the Korea Music Copyright Association (KOMCA), a rare distinction for a female idol, in recognition of her services to the business.

Solo Career and Collaborations:

The lead single, "Beam Beam," from Soyeon's debut solo EP, Windy, was released in July 2021. The project, which won her first place on SBS MTV's The Show on July 13, 2021, demonstrated her ability as a vocalist and rapper. In addition, she has worked on well-known projects. For example, she collaborated on the song "Wow Thing" (2018) with Kim Chung-ha, Red Velvet's Seulgi, and GFriend's SinB for SM Station X's girl group project Station Young.
As Akali in the virtual musical groups K/DA and True Damage for the video game League of Legends, Soyeon's voice has also been heard by people all over the world. Her roles with artists like Madison Beer and Jaira Burns in K/DA's "Pop/Stars" (2018) and True Damage's "Giants" (2019) have received millions of streams, extending her reach outside of K-pop. She worked on the track "Nobody" in 2023 with Winter of aespa and Liz of IVE.
Do You Know Hip Hop (2020), Face ID (2021), and mentoring positions on My Teenage Girl and Boy Fantasy are just a few of her television appearances. Her scathing yet perceptive advice garnered her widespread fame. In 2023, she also worked with LG Uplus on the music video for "I'm Okay," which received over 9 million views on YouTube in only one week.

Awards and Achievements:

Many people are aware of Soyeon's contributions to the music industry. She shared the Melon Music Awards' "Best Songwriter" title with IU in 2022, making her the first female idol to do so. She worked on (G)I-DLE's album I Feel, which won "Best Album of the Year (Overseas)" and "Best Producer (Overseas)" at the 2023 Asian Pop Music Awards. Dazed Magazine hailed her as a “K-pop unicorn” who confronts misogyny and reshapes the future of female idols, highlighting her global significance by including her as the only Korean artist on its 2022 “Dazed 100” list.

2025 Net Worth:

Jeon So-yeon's anticipated net worth in 2025 is between $3 million and $5 million USD, which is a noteworthy amount for a fourth-generation idol. Her fortune comes from a variety of sources, such as:
Royalties for Music: As the main producer and songwriter for (G)I-DLE, Soyeon receives a sizable portion of the group's discography's royalties, which include sold-out world tours and number-one albums. While her income fluctuates, reaching as low as 100,000 KRW in less active months, she disclosed in a July 2024 interview on Country Kitchen Dream with Lee Young-ji that her peak monthly earnings were 1 billion KRW (about $720,000–$770,000 USD).
Solo Projects: She makes money from her solo EP Windy and hits like "Jelly" and "Beam Beam."
Collaborations: She earns money by writing and producing music for singers such as JBJ, CLC, and SHINee, as well as participating in online collective projects like K/DA.
Tours and Concerts: (G)I-DLE's 2024 world tour, iDOL, increased her income after selling out in places including Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Seoul.
Brand Endorsements and Appearances: Soyeon's financial portfolio is further strengthened by her television appearances and partnerships, such as with LG Uplus.

Background and Personal Life:

Soyeon's transformation from ballet dancer to K-pop star is evidence of her versatility and tenacity. Her open-minded attitude to creation was formed by her early exposure to a variety of settings, such as homeschooling and a Buddhist kindergarten. She made a daring decision to pursue music after being influenced by Big Bang, and her perseverance in the face of multiple audition rejections demonstrates her resolve.
Known for her strategic thinking and rigorous manufacturing process, Soyeon, who self-identifies as an INTJ-T, is renowned for these qualities. Her huge creative output is demonstrated by the more than 1,600 demo songs she possesses. Her songwriting has been influenced by her bandmates, especially Miyeon, and she frequently uses their personalities to create (G)I-DLE's music.
As is typical in the K-pop industry, Soyeon is unmarried and her management keeps a careful eye on her public persona. She describes her ideal type as intelligent, persuasive, charming, and quick-witted. In March 2025, she gave ₩100 million (about $75,000 USD) to the Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association to aid victims of forest fires in Ulsan, Gyeongbuk, and Gyeongnam, demonstrating her strong commitment to philanthropy outside of the music industry. Her wish to give back to society is evident in her comment, "I wanted to convey even a little comfort."
Fun facts about Soyeon include her early desire of being a ninja, her hate of veggies despite being in good health, and her ability to squeeze her entire hand in her mouth. She is also well-known for showing off her playful side by going out for drinks with her bandmate Miyeon.

Impact and Legacy:

Jeon So-yeon's impact goes well beyond her position as the head of (G)I-DLE. In a field that is frequently dominated by men producers, she has broken down barriers as a female idol who writes, produces, and leads her group's creative production. Her significance in combating preconceptions and promoting female artists is further highlighted by Dazed Magazine's identification of her as a transformative figure. Her work ethic has raised the bar for K-pop celebrities, as evidenced by her production of four consecutive PAK-to-PAK (Perfect All-Kill) albums and her mentoring on programs like My Teenage Girl.
The tale of Soyeon's transformation from an unsuccessful auditionee to a renowned producer and performer is one of brilliance and tenacity. She continues to influence K-pop's future by encouraging a new generation of musicians to take creative charge and push limits, all while maintaining a net worth that reflects her success and an innovative career.