# Yeji (singer)

Hwang Ye-ji (Korean: 황예지; born May 26, 2000), known mononymously as Yeji, is a South Korean singer and dancer. She is the leader of the South Korean girl group Itzy, formed by JYP Entertainment in 2019. Yeji released her debut solo extended play (EP), Air, in March 2025.

## Early life

Hwang Ye-ji was born on May 26, 2000, in Seoul, South Korea, and grew up in Jeonju. While in elementary school, she wished to be a singer. Her older sister inspired her to start dancing, which led her to take an interest in the art form and join a local dance group. She attended high school at Jeonju Commercial Information High School.

## Career
### 2015–2018: Pre-debut

In 2015, Yeji passed her audition to join JYP Entertainment as a trainee by performing Twice's song "Like Ooh-Ahh". In the same year, she made a cameo appearance in episode 8 of Second 20s. In 2017, Yeji appeared on the first episode of Stray Kids, alongside her future groupmates Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna. In 2018, Yeji participated in SBS TV's The Fan [ko], where she was described by Junho of 2PM as "JYP's secret weapon".

### 2019–present: Itzy and solo debut

On January 20, 2019, Yeji was revealed to be the leader of Itzy. On February 12, 2019, the group officially debuted with the release of their first single album, It'z Different, and a music video for its lead single "Dalla Dalla". On March 19, 2021, Yeji was chosen as Studio Choom's "Artist of the Month", where she covered "River" by Bishop Briggs and shared insights into her dance journey. In June 2022, Yeji, along with fellow member Ryujin, performed Bebe Rexha's "Break My Heart Myself" in the "Mix & Max" series by Studio Choom. In November 2023, Yeji, alongside groupmate Chaeryeong, appeared as a mentor on SBS TV's reality survival series Universe Ticket. On December 20, Yeji released a music video for her solo track titled "Crown On My Head". On December 1, 2024, Yeji released her first OST, "Think about you", for the romantic comedy series Love Your Enemy.
On January 17, 2025, it was announced that Yeji was preparing for her solo debut, then on February 10, JYP Entertainment released a trailer for it. On March 10, Yeji released her first EP, Air, and a music video for its lead single of the same name. Yeji participated in writing the lyrics of the lead single, which included elements of synth-pop; characterized by a strong bass and an addictive hook.

## Other ventures
### Fashion and endorsements

In 2023, Yeji appeared on the cover for the W Korea April issue. In the following month, she appeared on the cover of Elle Korea, alongside labelmate Felix. In September 2024, Yeji attended Dolce & Gabbana's Spring Summer 2025 show at Milan Fashion Week. In February 2025, Yeji was announced as brand ambassador for Roger Vivier.

### Philanthropy

In November 2023, Yeji participated in a fundraising event for the "Love Your W" campaign by W Korea, aimed at raising awareness about breast cancer. She further demonstrated her commitment to the cause by joining W Korea's "Love Your W" charity event in October 2024.

## Discography
### Extended plays

List of extended plays, showing selected details, selected chart positions, and sales figures :
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
| Title | Details | KOR | Sales |
| Air | Released: March 10, 2025 Label: JYP Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | TBA | TBA |

### Singles
#### As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, showing year released, selected chart positions and album name :
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
| Title | Year | KOR | Album |
| "Air" | 2025 | TBA | Air |

#### As featured artist

List of singles as featured artist, showing year released, selected chart positions and album name :
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
| Title | Year | KOR DL | Album |
| "Break My Heart Myself" (Bebe Rexha featuring Yeji and Ryujin) | 2022 | 120 | Non-album single |

### Soundtrack appearances

List of soundtrack appearances, showing year released, selected chart positions and album name :
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
| Title | Year | KOR DL | Album |
| "Think About You" | 2024 | 67 | Love Your Enemy OST |

### Other charted songs

List of other charted songs, showing year released, selected chart positions, and name of the album :
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
| Title | Year | KOR DL | Album |
| "Crown on My Head" | 2024 | 43 | Born to Be |

### Composition credits

All song credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association's database unless stated otherwise.
List of songs, showing year released, artist name, and name of the album :
| Year | Artist | Song | Album | Lyricist | Lyricist | Composition | Composition | Ref. |
| Year | Artist | Song | Album | Credited | With | Credited | With | Ref. |
| 2024 | Herself | "Crown on My Head" | Born to Be | | Friday (Galactika), Jvde (Galactika) | | War of Stars (Galactika), Pablo (Galactika), Woobin | |
| 2025 | Herself | "Air" | Air | | J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul", Beong Hye-hyeon, 3! (Lalala Studio) | | N/A | |

## Videography
### Music videos

List of music videos, showing year released, and directors :
| Title | Year | Director(s) | Ref. |
| "Crown on My Head" | 2023 | Ha Jeong-hoon, Lee Hye-sung (Hattrick) | |
| "Air" | 2025 | Un­known | |

## Filmography
### Television shows

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2017 | Stray Kids | Participant | Appeared in episode 1 |
| 2018 | The Fan [ko] | Contestant | Eliminated in the 5th episode. |
| 2023 | Universe Ticket | Mentor | |

### Hosting

| Year | Title | Notes | Ref. |
| 2021 | Show! Music Core | Special MC | |