# Soyou (강지현)
**Soyou** (소유; born 1992) is a South Korean K-pop and R&B singer whose real name is Kang Ji-hyun (강지현). She first gained fame as the lead vocalist of the girl group SISTAR, which debuted in 2010 and disbanded in 2017, and has since worked as a solo artist, soundtrack singer, television host, and actress.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6859273/) • [2](https://platinumlist.net/artist/3585/soyou) • [3](https://ent.sbs.co.kr/news/article.do?article_id=E10008594391)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Real name / birth | Kang Ji-hyun (강지현), born 1992, South Korea[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6859273/) |
| Origin | Jeju Island, South Korea; height 168 cm[2](https://platinumlist.net/artist/3585/soyou) |
| Group career | Lead vocalist of SISTAR (Starship Entertainment), debuted 2010 with the single "Push Push"; group disbanded in 2017[3](https://ent.sbs.co.kr/news/article.do?article_id=E10008594391) • [4](https://assets.kpopping.com/profiles/idol/Soyou) |
| Solo debut | December 13, 2017, with the first solo album "Re:Born"[5](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20171213009200315) |
| Signature collaborations | "Some" with Junggigo (2014), a chart-topping single; "Stupid in Love" with Mad Clown (2013), which reached No. 1 on many charts[6](https://www.koreajoongangdaily.com/korea/soyou-shines-on-her-own/10184178) |
| Known OSTs | "I Miss You" for *Guardian: The Lonely and Great God* (2016–2017), "You Don't Know Me" for *She Was Pretty* (2015), "Just Once" for *The Empress Ki* (2013–2014)[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6859273/) |
| Current agency | Magic Strawberry Sound (since 2025); previously Starship Entertainment and Big Planet Made[4](https://assets.kpopping.com/profiles/idol/Soyou) • [7](https://www.sportschosun.com/entertainment/2021-09-29/202109290100198930013059) |
## Early life and training
Soyou was born and raised on [Jeju Island](https://www.edgepedia.org/jeju-island), South Korea.[2](https://platinumlist.net/artist/3585/soyou) She entered the entertainment industry through [Cube Entertainment](https://www.edgepedia.org/cube-entertainment), where she trained alongside future 4Minute member Ga-yoon and was considered for that group before it debuted.[2](https://platinumlist.net/artist/3585/soyou) • [6](https://www.koreajoongangdaily.com/korea/soyou-shines-on-her-own/10184178) In an interview she described herself as the first trainee at Cube Entertainment, alongside Ga-yoon.[6](https://www.koreajoongangdaily.com/korea/soyou-shines-on-her-own/10184178) After not joining 4Minute, she moved to [Starship Entertainment](https://www.edgepedia.org/starship-entertainment) and debuted with SISTAR in 2010.[8](https://world.kbs.co.kr/service/contents_view.htm?board_seq=239848&id=&lang=v&menu_cate=artist&page=50)
Her stage name was chosen by her agency rather than by her. Before debut she submitted a list of candidate names combining English and simple Korean, all of which were rejected. The name Soyou means, in her words, "to become a woman that people wanted to possess," since *soyou* is the Korean word for possession. She said she first learned of the decision from a news article that referred to her as "Soyou."[9](https://www.soompi.com/article/1245803wpp/soyou-shares-unexpected-way-found-stage-name)
## SISTAR (2010–2017)
SISTAR, a four-member group of Hyolyn, Bora, Soyou, and Dasom, debuted in 2010 with the single "Push Push" under Starship Entertainment.[3](https://ent.sbs.co.kr/news/article.do?article_id=E10008594391) The group released hit songs including "So Cool," "Alone" (Korean title *Na Honja*), "Touch My Body," "Loving U," "Give It To Me," and "Shake It."[10](https://www.mk.co.kr/en/society/12180424) • [7](https://www.sportschosun.com/entertainment/2021-09-29/202109290100198930013059) Soyou was the last member to join the group.[6](https://www.koreajoongangdaily.com/korea/soyou-shines-on-her-own/10184178)
In May 2017 Starship Entertainment announced that SISTAR would disband after seven years, with a final album released on May 31, 2017.[3](https://ent.sbs.co.kr/news/article.do?article_id=E10008594391)
## Collaborations and solo career
While still in SISTAR, Soyou built a parallel career as a featured vocalist, earning the nickname "queen of collaborations."[6](https://www.koreajoongangdaily.com/korea/soyou-shines-on-her-own/10184178) Her duet "Stupid in Love" with the rapper Mad Clown reached No. 1 on many Korean charts in 2013.[6](https://www.koreajoongangdaily.com/korea/soyou-shines-on-her-own/10184178) In January 2014 her single "Some," recorded with Junggigo and featuring [Lil Boi](https://www.edgepedia.org/lil-boi) of the hip-hop duo Geeks, was released and dominated Korea's singles charts; Soyou said the song reached the top spot within hours of its noon release.[6](https://www.koreajoongangdaily.com/korea/soyou-shines-on-her-own/10184178) Korean-language coverage of the period described "Some" as a candidate for song of the year and credited her collaborations with artists including Mad Clown, 10cm, Urban Zakapa, Baekhyun of EXO, and Henry with consistent success.[8](https://world.kbs.co.kr/service/contents_view.htm?board_seq=239848&id=&lang=v&menu_cate=artist&page=50)
After SISTAR's disbandment she launched a solo career. Her first solo album, "Re:Born," was released in 2017; at the showcase at Ilji Art Hall in Seoul she said she wanted to become "a solo artist who can handle all genres of music." The record, labeled Part 1 of the album, featured collaborations with ballad singers Sung Si-kyung and Yoon Jong-shin and the hip-hop artist Primary, and the duet "I Still" with Sung Si-kyung had been pre-released the previous month.[5](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20171213009200315) Her solo discography includes the EPs Re:Born, Re:Fresh, and Day & Night, along with solo tracks such as "Stupid in Love," "Gotta Go," and "All Night," the title track of Part.2 RE:FRESH.[2](https://platinumlist.net/artist/3585/soyou) • [9](https://www.soompi.com/article/1245803wpp/soyou-shares-unexpected-way-found-stage-name) For Part.2 [RE:FRESH] (2018) she took on dance performance for the first time in her solo career with the title track "Kkamann Bam" (Black Night).[11](https://www.sportschosun.com/amp/2018-10-02/201810030100016460001092)
In 2025 she released the song "PDA" under the new agency Magic Strawberry Sound, which her label described as the start of a new solo era.[12](https://www.detik.com/pop/korean-wave/d-8129759/eksklusif-soyou-bicara-lagu-pda-dan-arah-bermusik)
## Soundtrack work
Soyou has recorded numerous original soundtracks for Korean television dramas, beginning shortly after her debut with songs for the MBC dramas *Gloria* and *[Playful Kiss](https://www.edgepedia.org/playful-kiss)* in 2010.[13](https://www.artsro.com/right/enter_view.html?CatNo=75&GoIdx=307) Her credited OST performances include "Just Once" for *The Empress Ki* (2013–2014), "You Don't Know Me" for *[She Was Pretty](https://www.edgepedia.org/she-was-pretty)* (2015), and "I Miss You" for *Guardian: The Lonely and Great God* (2016–2017).[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6859273/) "I Miss You," released as Part 7 of the *Guardian* OST in December 2016, was produced by Rocoberry and built on a minimal arrangement of guitar, piano, and bass; its official audio has drawn over 33 million views on YouTube.[14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9KpdoSxVZU)
## Television and acting
Beyond music, Soyou has worked regularly on Korean variety television. She hosted the beauty program *Get It Beauty* and has appeared as a guest on shows including *Night Goblin* (2017), *Cheongdam Keytchen* (2018), and *Convenience Store Restaurant* (2019–2020).[15](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/186544/soyou) She has served as a judge on audition programs, work attributed to her recognized vocal ability.[16](https://www.tenasia.co.kr/article/2025052320214) She co-hosts the MBN talk show *Not Hocance But Scance* (Hokangseu Malgo Seukangseu), in which celebrities from South Korea and abroad give informal interviews, alongside [Son Dam-bi](https://www.edgepedia.org/son-dam-bi), So Yi-hyeon, and Ye Ji-won.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6859273/)
She made her acting debut in the KBS Drama Special *Ttaeppaego Gwangnaego* (2019), playing police officer Chun Ji-hee; coverage of the broadcast described the role as her first drama appearance and noted her transition from stage performance to acting.[17](https://www.gukjenews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1200061)
## Recent activity
Soyou runs the YouTube channel *Soyugi SOYOUGI*, which she opened in 2020, where she discusses diet, health, and personal topics.[18](https://seore.org/raw/%EC%86%8C%EC%9C%A0%28%EA%B0%80%EC%88%98%29) • [19](https://www.mt.co.kr/entertainment/2026/07/07/2026070705473627836) In 2025 and 2026 she drew wide media attention for a weight reduction from 68 kg to 48 kg, a loss of 20 kg, which she discussed on the channel; she said she had not restricted specific foods but controlled portions, favored European-style salads, and avoided using a spoon early in the diet to slow her eating.[19](https://www.mt.co.kr/entertainment/2026/07/07/2026070705473627836) A later health checkup reported on the channel showed substantially reduced muscle mass, and she recorded a weight of 51.4 kg after pausing her diet regimen.[20](https://www.newsis.com/view/NISX20260828_0003767247) The change in her appearance prompted public speculation about plastic surgery, which she denied, attributing the difference to the weight loss.[21](https://v.daum.net/v/20250722064445120)
She has also spoken publicly about personal finances and investments, saying she used returns from [Samsung Electronics](https://www.edgepedia.org/samsung-electronics) and [SK Hynix](https://www.edgepedia.org/sk-hynix) shares bought a decade earlier to cover the cost of moving to a new home.[22](https://www.mk.co.kr/news/society/12123939?kakao_from=mainnews) In July 2026 her agency Mound Media announced that her father had died, with funeral proceedings held privately at the family's request.[23](https://v.daum.net/v/20260725124937646)
## References
1. [Soyou, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6859273/)
2. [Soyou, artist profile, Platinumlist](https://platinumlist.net/artist/3585/soyou)
3. [SISTAR to disband after 7 years, SBS Entertainment News (May 23, 2017)](https://ent.sbs.co.kr/news/article.do?article_id=E10008594391)
4. [Soyou (SISTAR) idol profile, kpopping](https://assets.kpopping.com/profiles/idol/Soyou)
5. [Ex-Sistar member Soyou returns solo, aims for versatility, Yonhap News Agency (December 13, 2017)](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20171213009200315)
6. [So-you shines on her own, The Korea JoongAng Daily (February 26, 2014)](https://www.koreajoongangdaily.com/korea/soyou-shines-on-her-own/10184178)
7. [Soyou signs exclusive contract with Big Planet Made, Sports Chosun (September 29, 2021)](https://www.sportschosun.com/entertainment/2021-09-29/202109290100198930013059)
8. [Soyou artist biography, KBS World](https://world.kbs.co.kr/service/contents_view.htm?board_seq=239848&id=&lang=v&menu_cate=artist&page=50)
9. [Soyou Shares The Unexpected Way She Found Out About Her Stage Name, Soompi (October 15, 2018)](https://www.soompi.com/article/1245803wpp/soyou-shares-unexpected-way-found-stage-name)
10. [Singer Soyou expresses positive stance on cohabitation before marriage, Maeil Business (MK)](https://www.mk.co.kr/en/society/12180424)
11. [Interview: Soyou on Latin music challenge and Part.2 [RE:FRESH], Sports Chosun (October 2018)](https://www.sportschosun.com/amp/2018-10-02/201810030100016460001092)
12. [SOYOU talks about "PDA" and her musical direction, detikPop (September 26, 2025)](https://www.detik.com/pop/korean-wave/d-8129759/eksklusif-soyou-bicara-lagu-pda-dan-arah-bermusik)
13. [Soyou, ballad artist booking profile, Artsro](https://www.artsro.com/right/enter_view.html?CatNo=75&GoIdx=307)
14. [Guardian OST Part 7: Soyou, "I Miss You" (official audio), STONE Music on YouTube (December 30, 2016)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9KpdoSxVZU)
15. [Soyou, TVmaze person page](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/186544/soyou)
16. [Soyou shows fit physique after hardship, Ten Asia (May 23, 2025)](https://www.tenasia.co.kr/article/2025052320214)
17. [Kang Ji-hyun (Soyou) makes drama debut in KBS Drama Special, Gukje News](https://www.gukjenews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1200061)
18. [Soyou (singer) profile, seore wiki mirror](https://seore.org/raw/%EC%86%8C%EC%9C%A0%28%EA%B0%80%EC%88%98%29)
19. [Soyou reveals how she lost 20 kg, Money Today (July 7, 2026)](https://www.mt.co.kr/entertainment/2026/07/07/2026070705473627836)
20. [Soyou, who lost 20 kg, reports reduced muscle mass at health checkup, Newsis (August 2026)](https://www.newsis.com/view/NISX20260828_0003767247)
21. [Soyou denies plastic surgery rumors after 10 kg weight loss, Sports Chosun via Daum (July 22, 2025)](https://v.daum.net/v/20250722064445120)
22. [Soyou moves to a new home using returns from a 100-million-won investment made 10 years ago, Maeil Business](https://www.mk.co.kr/news/society/12123939?kakao_from=mainnews)
23. [Soyou's father passes away; funeral held privately, Edaily via Daum (July 25, 2026)](https://v.daum.net/v/20260725124937646)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Music scenes › East and Southeast Asian pop scenes › K-pop and the Korean popular music scene › Artists, groups, and people: K-pop and the Korean popular music scene › First- and second-generation idol groups and 1990s dance acts › Surnames K to S*
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