Nam Ji-hyun ( on January 9, 1990), known

mononymously A mononym is a name composed of only one word. An individual who is known and addressed by a mononym is a mononymous person. A mononym may be the person's only name, given to them at birth. This was routine in most ancient societies, and remains ...

as Jihyun, and formerly known by her stage name Son Ji-hyun, is a South Korean actress and former singer. She is best known as the former leader and a vocalist of now-disbanded South Korean girl group

4Minute 4Minute (, often stylized in all caps) was a South Korean girl group formed by Cube Entertainment, consisting of members Jihyun, Gayoon, Jiyoon, Hyuna and Sohyun. The group was known for its edgy dance-pop style and " girl crush" image t ...

Early life

Nam Ji-hyun was born on January 9, 1990 in

Bupyeong District Bupyeong District () is one of the 10 administrative divisions (eight municipal districts and two counties) that comprise Incheon, South Korea. Bupyeong District comprises an area of 12.35 square miles (31.98 square km), and has a population of 5 ...

Incheon Incheon is a city located in northwestern South Korea, bordering Seoul and Gyeonggi Province to the east. Inhabited since the Neolithic, Incheon was home to just 4,700 people when it became an international port in 1883. As of February 2020, ...

, South Korea. Jihyun auditioned for

JYP Entertainment JYP Entertainment Corporation () is a South Korean Multinational corporation, multinational entertainment and record label Conglomerate (company), conglomerate founded in 1997 by Park Jin-young, J. Y. Park. Operating as a record label, talent ...

but was eliminated. However, she then joined

Cube Entertainment Cube Entertainment Inc. () is a South Korean entertainment company. The company operates as a record label, talent agency, music production company, event management and concert production company, and music publishing house. Cube are known for h ...

as a result of Cube Entertainment's founder, Hong Seung-sung, being recommended by JYP's recruitment department in finding members to form

. On February 24, 2015, she graduated from

Sangmyung University Sangmyung University () is a private university in South Korea with the main campus in Jongno District, Jongno, Seoul, and an auxiliary campus in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do. It was established in 1937, with the Sangmyung Women's College being fo ...

receiving a degree in Contemporary Ballet and a lifetime achievement award at the university's graduation ceremony.

Career

2009–2015: Debut and solo activities

Ji-hyun was chosen as a member of

in 2009. The 5-member girl group officially debuted on June 18, 2009, with performing their debut single "Hot Issue" on ''

M Countdown ''M Countdown'' () is a South Korean music program broadcast by Mnet from the CJ E&M Center Studio in Sangam-dong, Mapo District, Seoul. It features appearances by popular music artists who also perform live on stage. First hosted by Leeteuk ...

''.

In 2010, Ji-hyun made her acting debut in the television series ''

It's Okay, Daddy's Girl ''It's Okay, Daddy's Girl'' () is a South Korean television series that aired on SBS TV from November 22, 2010 to January 28, 2011. Plot Being the youngest and spoiled in her family, Eun Chae-ryung would completely rely on her father. When he h ...

'', playing a law student. In 2011, Ji-hyun was cast in MBC's weekend drama '' A Thousand Kisses'', playing the younger sister of

Ryu Jin Ryu Jin (; born Im Yoo-jin on November 16, 1972) is a South Korean actor. Filmography Television series * '' The Real Has Come!'' as Geum Sang-baek (KBS2, 2023) *''Be My Dream Family'' (KBS, 2021) *'' Homemade Love Story'' as Son Jeong-hoo ...

. In February 2013, Ji-hyun was cast in the idol version of ''Love and War 2'', a sitcom which creates reenactments of the problems and issues a couple may face in their marriage. In October, Ji-hyun was cast in her first lead role in the mobile drama ''Please Remember, Princess''. In April 2014, Ji-hyun was cast in KBS' teen drama ''High School''. However, she dropped out of the drama due to her overseas schedules conflicts. In September, Ji-hyun was cast in the web drama ''Love Cells''. The same year, she starred in the

anthology film An anthology film (also known as an omnibus film or a portmanteau film) is a single film consisting of three or more shorter films, each complete in itself and distinguished from the other, though frequently tied together by a single theme, premise ...

''The Youth''. In 2015, Ji-hyun starred in the 5-episode web drama ''Never Die''.

2016–present: Group disbandment, acting career

On June 13, 2016, Cube Entertainment announced that 4Minute has disbanded and the members are still in discussion to renew their contracts. On June 15, Cube Entertainment officially announced that Jihyun, Gayoon, Jiyoon and Sohyun's contracts had expired on June 14 and that the members decided not to renew their contracts, hence their departure from Cube Entertainment. Since 4Minute's disbandment, Ji-hyun signed a new contract with Artist Company to pursue a career in acting. In 2017, Ji-hyun starred in KBS' youth romance drama ''

Strongest Deliveryman ''Strongest Deliveryman'' () is a 2017 South Korean television series starring Go Kyung-pyo, Chae Soo-bin, Kim Seon-ho, and Go Won-hee. It premiered on August 4, 2017, and aired every Friday and Saturday at 23:00 ( KST) on KBS2 until Septemb ...

''. In December 2017, Artist Company announced that she had changed her name to Son Ji-hyun. In 2018, Ji-hyun starred in TV Chosun's historical drama ''Grand Prince''. In December 2021, Ji-hyun signed a contract with FN Entertainment. In August 2022, Ji-hyun signed a contract with Urban Works.

Personal life

She has a Pilates license.

Discography

Filmography

Film

Television series

Television shows

Awards and nominations

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Nam, Ji-hyun 1990 births Living people 4Minute members Actresses from Incheon Musicians from Incheon People from Bupyeong District Japanese-language singers of South Korea South Korean female idols South Korean women pop singers South Korean television personalities South Korean female models South Korean television actresses South Korean web series actresses South Korean film actresses 21st-century South Korean actresses 21st-century South Korean women singers Sangmyung University alumni