Kang Ji-young (born January 18, 1994), known mononymously as Jiyoung or under the stage name JY, is a South Korean singer and actress. At age 14, she rose to fame as a member of the South Korean girl group Kara, joining the group in 2008. Dubbed as "Hallyu Queens", Kara achieved mainstream success across Asia, particularly in Japan where they earned ten top-five singles on the Oricon Singles Chart, and became the first female South Korean act to perform at the Tokyo Dome. 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

Kang Ji-young was born on January 18, 1994, in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. She grew up in a Buddhist household, with two older sisters. At the age of 14, Kang auditioned for DSP Media and was accepted as a trainee in June 2008. She was encouraged to audition by her cousin, actress Kim Yoon-ji, who was also a trainee at the same company at the time. Kang attended Bongilcheon Middle School in Paju. 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. Following high school, in February 2013 she enrolled at Sungkyunkwan University, majoring in performing arts.

Career

2008–2014: Kara

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. In 2022, she rejoined the group for their 15th anniversary promotions.

2014–present: Solo activities as actress and other works

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. 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. 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. "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. It was marketed in the US and other parts of Asia in addition to South Korea and Japan. In February 2022, it is reported that Kang has decided not to renew her contract with KeyEast. On April 6, 2022, it was announced that Kang signed with ELRIS Entertainment. In July 2022 Kang released Project solo Lucid Dream

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Singles

As lead artist

As featured artist

Other appearances

Video albums

Songwriting credits

Filmography

Film

Television

Radio

Stage credits

Concert tours

Endorsements

Awards and nominations

Listicles

Footnotes