Yoshi (TREASURE): Background, Career, Songs, and Net Worth 2025

Profile:

Kanemoto Yoshinori, professionally known as Yoshi (요시 in Korean, ヨシ in Japanese), is the primary rapper of TREASURE, a 10-member boy group under YG Entertainment. His stage name "Yoshi" is a playful shortening of his given name, reflecting his approachable and youthful vibe.
Full Name: Kanemoto Yoshinori (金本 芳典 in Japanese; Korean reading: Kim Bang-jeon or 김방전)
English Name: Jaden (chosen after actor Jaden Smith)
Date of Birth: May 15, 2000
Nationality: Korean (holds Korean citizenship; Japan does not grant automatic citizenship by birth and prohibits dual citizenship)
Ethnicity: Korean (a fourth-generation Korean who lives in Japan and is often called a Zainichi Korean)
Color of Choice: Crimson
Nicknames: Kim Yoshi, Destroyer (or "King of Destruction" for his lively stage presence), Pikachu, Tiger, Cutie Yoshi, Dark Horse, Pagoewang, Handsome Guy, and Innocent Pure Person.

Hobbies and Skills:

Composing beats, composing lyrics, beatboxing, playing guitar, skating, copying noises (e.g., Mario leaps or Donald Duck's voice), Taekwondo (placed 3rd in a national competition representing Korea under his Korean name)
Favorites: Summer season, seasoned fried chicken, anime, video games; his mantra is "Let’s live together with music"

Yoshi's biography showcases his versatility beyond rapping – he's noted for his clear diction, medium-toned rap voice, and active involvement in composition, making him a standout in TREASURE's self-produced tracks.

Personal Life and Background:

Yoshi was born on May 15, 2000, in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, into a family of Korean descent. As a fourth-generation Korean-Japanese (Zainichi), his ancestry traces back to Koreans who migrated to Japan during the colonial era (1910–1945). To fit in, many Zainichi families changed their last names to Japanese-sounding names like "Kanemoto" (which comes from the Korean name "Kim") while keeping their Korean names private. Yoshi has talked a lot about being Korean, saying in interviews that he is a citizen of Korea and loves both Korea and Japan "like parents." He made it clear early on in his career that he is not ethnically Japanese, which went against what people thought because of where he was born and where he started out in YG's Japanese trainee team.
His family is made up of his mother and three older sisters. He is the only boy in the house because his father died when Yoshi was in seventh grade. All close family members are female, which has influenced his close-knit, supportive dynamic at home. One of his older sisters introduced him to K-pop, particularly G-Dragon's album Heartbreaker, which was the first album he ever bought and inspired his musical aspirations. Another sister owns a puppy named Carol. Yoshi has shared that he only revealed his idol dreams to his family and friends after his audition footage was set to air, highlighting his private nature.
Growing up in Japan, Yoshi attended Korean international schools to maintain his cultural ties, fostering bilingual skills in Japanese and Korean (he later learned more Korean as a trainee). He represented Korea in Taekwondo competitions using his Korean name, Kim Bang-jeon, and placed third nationally in 2015 during his third year of middle school. Despite his athletic background, Yoshi has admitted to struggling with studies, once joking that he's "really bad at studying." His multicultural upbringing has shaped his music, drawing influences from artists like G-Dragon and Kendrick Lamar, and he often bonds with fellow TREASURE members like leader Choi Hyunsuk over shared musical tastes. In his personal life, Yoshi is outgoing and talkative (second only to Park Jeongwoo in the group), using tiger emojis to represent himself. He enjoys gaming in his free time and has a "sunding" (pure and innocent) charm, often compared to an Animal Crossing character by teammate Junkyu. Yoshi resides in one of TREASURE's three dorms, sharing it with Hyunsuk and Junkyu, each in solo rooms.

Education:

Yoshi's educational path reflects his Korean-Japanese heritage and the demands of his trainee life. He attended Korea International Academy in Japan, a school for Korean residents that emphasizes bilingual education and cultural preservation (similar to how Korean students attend Chinese schools for language immersion). This institution was featured in a 2015 EBS News segment, where a young Yoshi (then a third-year middle school student) was shown performing as a band vocalist on stage.
He later enrolled at Hinode High School in Japan but dropped out to focus on his K-pop training. After joining YG in 2016, Yoshi prepared for and passed the High School Graduation Academic Qualification Examination (a GED equivalent in Korea) while studying in Seoul. This allowed him to complete his high school education non-traditionally, balancing rigorous trainee schedules. His self-admitted academic challenges didn't hinder his determination, as he prioritized music from a young age.

Career:

Yoshi's career is a testament to perseverance, spanning over a decade of training and survival show challenges before debuting with TREASURE.

Early Training and Survival Show (2014–2019):
Yoshi auditioned for YG Entertainment Japan in 2014 during his 9th grade (around age 14), passing in March 2016 after two years of preparation. His trainee period lasted 4 years until YG Treasure Box (2018–2019), followed by 1 year and 9 months of debut prep, totaling about 7.5 years – one of the longest in TREASURE. Inspired by his sister's influence and G-Dragon, he honed his rap skills, beat-making, and Taekwondo prowess during this time.
In 2018, Yoshi appeared on YG's survival show YG Treasure Box, a program to form new boy groups. Initially placed in the Japanese trainee team (with Mashiho, Asahi, and Haruto), he impressed with his rap and vocals but was eliminated in the semi-finals. However, on January 29, 2019, YG announced a second unit, MAGNUM, with Yoshi as the fourth member (alongside Jihoon, Doyoung, Mashiho, and Asahi). The groups were to promote as TREASURE 13, but scandals delayed debut.
On January 6, 2020, YG restructured into a single 12-member TREASURE (merging units, excluding Ha Yoon-bin), with Yoshi securing his spot.

Debut and Rise with TREASURE (2020–2022)
TREASURE debuted on August 7, 2020, with the single album The First Step: Chapter One and title track "BOY," topping iTunes charts in 19 countries, including Japan. Yoshi's rap verses stood out for their clarity and energy. The group followed with Chapter Two: Zero ("I Love You") and Chapter Three ("Mmm"), concluding the The First Step series with their first studio album The First Step: Treasure Effect on January 11, 2021 (Japanese version March 31, 2021). Yoshi contributed to beats used in TREASURE's YouTube content like Treasure Map.
In 2021–2022, TREASURE released The Second Step: Chapter One ("JIKJIN") and Chapter Two ("DARARI"), with Yoshi co-writing the Japanese OST "Beautiful" for Black Clover – the first TREASURE member to do so. He also created lyrics for "Stupid" during a tour, prompted by a need for a "exciting song." Yoshi appeared in reality shows like T.M.I, Treasure Map, and Weekly Idol, showcasing his playful side. On November 8, 2022, Mashiho and Bang Yedam left, reducing TREASURE to 10 members, but Yoshi remained a core rapper.

Continued Success and Global Expansion (2023–2025):

Post-restructuring, TREASURE released The Second Step: Chapter Three (2022), Chapter Four ("HOLD IT IN," 2023), and their second studio album REBOOT ("BONA BONA," July 2023). Yoshi's songwriting deepened, adding emotional layers to tracks. In 2024, they dropped the digital single "King Kong" (May) and Japanese single King Kong / Reverse (August), with "Reverse" as the opening for Japanese TV series Densetsu no Atama Sho. TREASURE partnered with Columbia Records in 2023 for U.S. expansion and embarked on their second Asia tour.

In 2025, TREASURE released their third EP Pleasure on March 7, containing lead track "Yellow" and B-sides like "LAST NIGHT" and "사르르 (SARURU)." Yoshi contributed to writing and composition alongside Hyunsuk, Asahi, and Haruto. The group held fan concerts like 2025 TREASURE FAN CONCERT [SPECIAL MOMENT] IN JAPAN, with Yoshi featured in subunit versions (e.g., "Don’t Leave + HIGH HIGH" with Hyunsuk and Haruto). Endorsements for brands like Manyo Factory and I'mmune boosted their profile, with TREASURE achieving over 1 million album sales in their first five months and multiple awards, including at the Asia Artist Awards.
Yoshi's career achievements include topping Billboard's Hot Trending Songs with "B.O.M.B" and garnering millions of views for MVs like "JIKJIN" (10 million in 21 hours). His role in TREASURE's self-production era underscores his growth as an artist.

Songs and Contributions:

As TREASURE's main rapper, Yoshi has credits on over 60 songs, delivering catchy, rhyming verses with strong delivery. He actively composes beats and writes lyrics, often drawing from personal experiences. Key contributions include:
Debut Era (2020): Rapped in "BOY" (The First Step: Chapter One), "I Love You" (Chapter Two), "Mmm" (Chapter Three), and "MY TREASURE" (Treasure Effect). His parts in "BOY" highlighted his medium-toned flow.
Pre-Debut: Featured on "GOING CRAZY" (January 2020), a teaser single.
Songwriting Highlights:
"Beautiful" (2020): Co-wrote TREASURE's first Japanese song, OST for Black Clover anime.
"Stupid" (2022): Contributed lyrics and composition during tour; described as fun yet emotional.
"JIKJIN" (2022): Rapped key verses in the titular single from Chapter One.
"DARARI" (2022): Energetic rap in the viral hit from Chapter Two.

Recent Tracks (2023–2025): "BONA BONA" (REBOOT, 2023): This song had rap in it.
"King Kong" (digital single from 2024).
"Yellow" and "LAST NIGHT" (Pleasure, 2025): Writing credits with group members.
Subunit: "HOLD IT IN" (2023, with Hyunsuk, Haruto, and Asahi).

Other: Beatboxed in shows; influenced by Kendrick Lamar, his raps often have a groovy, standard pronunciation style distinct from Hyunsuk's or Haruto's.

TREASURE's discography comprises two studio albums (The First Step: Treasure Effect, REBOOT), three EPs (The Second Step series), and singles including "Thank You" (JP Ver.). Yoshi's input has helped tracks like "Orange" (group's first self-written song) and "B.O.M.B" chart internationally.

Yoshi's Net Worth 2025:

As of 2025, Yoshi's estimated net worth is $5 million. This amount originates from TREASURE's successful album sales (over 1 million units early on, with Pleasure contributing), worldwide tours, sponsorships (e.g., Manyo Factory cosmetics, attaining record sales via live broadcasts), and streaming royalties. His songwriting credits on hits like "JIKJIN" and "DARARI" add to revenues, as do Japanese promos and OSTs. Prior estimates (e.g., 2022) were lower, but post-2023 developments like the Columbia Records alliance and 2024–2025 releases have raised his wealth. Group activities, including fan concerts in Japan, further reinforce his financial standing in the competitive K-pop market. Yoshi's story is one of cultural pride, creative evolution, and unbreakable spirit. As TREASURE pushes limits in 2025 and beyond, Yoshi remains a crucial force, illustrating that true treasure rests in passion and perseverance.