| Full Name | Park Ji-hyo |
|---|---|
| Stage Name | Jihyo |
| Birthday | February 1, 1997 |
| Birth Place | Guri, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea |
| Height | 163 cm / 5‘4" |
| Blood Type | A |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Occupation | Singer, Dancer, Songwriter, MC |
| Years Active | 2015–present |
| Agency | JYP Entertainment |
| Associated Acts | TWICE, 3MIX |
| Social Media | Instagram, Twitter |
As the leader of TWICE, one of the most successful K-pop girl groups of all time, Jihyo has made an enormous impact on the industry and inspired fans worldwide with her vocal talent and leadership.
Early Life and Pre-Debut
Jihyo was born Park Ji-soo on February 1, 1997 in Guri, South Korea. From a young age, she harbored dreams of being a singer, even auditioning for JYP Entertainment at the age of 8. Though she was rejected for being too young, this didn‘t dampen her spirits.
Her big break came in 2005 when she placed 3rd on Superstar K Season 2 at just 8 years old, making her the youngest contestant in the show‘s history. She spent the next decade diligently training in vocals, dance, rap, and foreign languages at JYP.
Jihyo‘s passion and perseverance eventually paid off when she debuted as TWICE‘s leader in 2015.
Debut with TWICE and Rise to Fame
On October 20, 2015, Jihyo debuted with 8 other members as part of JYP‘s new girl group TWICE with their first single "Like Ooh-Ahh."
The group became a viral sensation with their catchy songs and choreography, particularly 2016‘s breakthrough hit "Cheer Up" which catapulted them into superstardom. TWICE grew to become Korea‘s top girl group and the best-selling Korean girl group of all time, with over 10 million albums sold globally.
As main vocalist and leader, Jihyo has been instrumental to TWICE‘s success. She is lauded for her soulful vocal tone, stage charisma, and leadership skills in keeping the 9-member group united. She has writing credits on TWICE songs like "One in a Million" and "21:29."
Some of TWICE‘s record-breaking achievements:
- First K-pop girl group to hold a Japanese dome tour (2017)
- Only K-pop girl group to sell 500,000+ copies of 4 separate albums
- Surpassed 150 million YouTube views faster than any K-pop group
- First female K-pop act to top both Billboard‘s World Albums and World Digital Song Sales charts
Solo Activities
On top of her group schedules, Jihyo has developed her solo career through acting, variety shows, and songs.
- Released solo single "The Reason Why I Became A Singer" (2019)
- Hosted Inkigayo music program from 2016-2017
- Appeared on King of Mask Singer, Running Man, and Celebrity Bromance
- Played lead role in web drama Mysterious Class (2020)
Jihyo has proven herself as an ace entertainer with talents extending beyond just singing.
Accolades
Jihyo is considered an industry leader and role model, receiving recognition through these awards:
- Gallup Korea‘s Singer of the Year (2018)
- Forbes Korea Power Celebrity (2019, 2020)
- Genie Music Awards Top Female Idol (2018, 2020)
- Brand of the Year Awards K-Pop Star (2020)
- Korea First Brand Awards Idol of the Year (2021)
As TWICE‘s dependable leader, Jihyo has guided the group to becoming cultural icons in Korea and worldwide.
Jihyo‘s Endearing Personality
Beyond her dazzling onstage persona, fans love Jihyo for her caring, funny, and determined personality:
- Dotes on TWICE members like a motherly figure
- Passionate about singing and performing
- Professional work ethic as a trainee and idol
- Playful sense of humor seen on variety shows
- Humble despite her fame and success
- Emotional connection with fans during concerts
To fans, Jihyo feels like a relatable older sister they can look up to as a role model.
Lasting Legacy
Now 26 years old, Jihyo still has a bright future ahead as she enters her prime. As her voice gains more depth and power over time, her vocal prowess will continue blooming.
As TWICE breaks new records and Jihyo releases more solo material, there is no doubt she will cement her status as a K-pop legend. Yet through it all, she stays grounded, remembering her young dreams that started her on this incredible journey.
Jihyo‘s story of passion, persistence, and dedication to perfecting her craft is why she remains an inspiration to millions of fans worldwide. For years to come, her name will be synonymous with K-pop excellence.