Yeji Profile: Age, Height, Career, Facts & More
As the leader of ITZY, Yeji has guided the group since its 2019 debut through a run of hits built around themes of self-acceptance and unapologetic individuality — themes she’s since carried into her own solo career as the first ITZY member to step out on her own.
Known for her commanding stage presence and sharp choreography, Yeji has become one of the defining faces of ITZY’s “teen crush” identity.
This complete profile breaks down everything fans want to know about Yeji — her age, height, career, personality, and the fun facts that keep circulating through the fandom.
Quick Facts About Yeji
- Real Name: Hwang Ye-ji (황예지)
- Stage Name: Yeji (예지)
- Birth Date: May 26, 2000
- Zodiac Sign: Gemini
- Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
- Position: Leader, Main Dancer, Lead Vocalist, Sub Rapper
- Height: Approximately 167 cm (5’6″)
- Blood Type: A
- Nationality: South Korean
- Agency: JYP Entertainment
- Group: ITZY
- MBTI: ESFJ (also reported as ESTJ)
- Education: Jeonju Commercial Information High School
Early Life and Background
Yeji was born Hwang Ye-ji on May 26, 2000, in Seoul, South Korea. She trained under JYP Entertainment for several years before ITZY’s 2019 debut, attending Jeonju Commercial Information High School during part of her development as a trainee.
As one of the group’s most experienced dancers heading into debut, she was positioned as leader from the very start, a role she’s held continuously since.
Career Highlights
Debut and ITZY’s Formation
Yeji officially debuted as leader of ITZY on February 12, 2019, with the single album It’z Different and its lead single “Dalla Dalla,” which became the best-performing girl group song of the year in South Korea.
As leader and main dancer, her commanding presence quickly became a defining feature of the group’s sound and image, anchoring the “teen crush” concept ITZY built its early identity around.
Guiding ITZY Through a Hiatus and Return
When fellow member Lia announced a hiatus in September 2023 to focus on her mental health, Yeji helped lead ITZY through nearly a year of promoting as a four-member group, including their second world tour supporting Born to Be (2024), which ran for 32 shows across Asia, North America, Europe, Latin America, and Oceania.
Lia rejoined the group on July 8, 2024, during a livestream marking ITZY’s fifth anniversary, and the full quintet returned together with the EP Gold, released October 15, 2024.
A Historic Solo Debut
On January 17, 2025, JYP Entertainment announced that Yeji would be making her solo debut, becoming the first member of ITZY to launch an individual music career.
She released her debut solo EP, Air, in March 2025 — a genuine milestone for the group and a signal of Yeji’s growing individual artistic identity outside of ITZY’s core discography.
She’d already begun building toward that solo era the previous year, releasing a cover of IU’s “Strawberry Moon” in September 2024 and her first original OST, “Think about you,” for the romantic comedy series Love Your Enemy, in December 2024.
She also contributed her own solo track, “Crown On My Head,” to ITZY’s Born to Be EP.
Broadcasting Work
In November, Yeji and fellow member Chaeryeong appeared as mentors on SBS’s reality survival series Universe Ticket, giving her the opportunity to guide the next generation of aspiring idols and further establishing her as a respected senior figure within the industry.
Continued Group Activities
ITZY has continued releasing new music as a full quintet since Lia’s return, including the EP Girls Will Be Girls, released June 9, 2025, and further releases through 2025 and 2026, with Yeji remaining central to the group’s leadership and creative direction throughout.
Personality and Public Image
As ITZY’s leader, Yeji is known for a strong, no-nonsense presence balanced by genuine warmth toward her members, particularly during the group’s difficult stretch promoting as a foursome while Lia focused on her recovery.
Her commanding stage presence has made her one of the more instantly recognizable performers in her generation of K-pop, while her decision to pursue solo music has been widely seen by fans as evidence of her ambition and artistic range beyond her role within the group.
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- Yeji was the first ITZY member to launch a solo music career.
- Her solo EP, Air, was announced in January 2025 and released that March.
- She released a cover of IU’s “Strawberry Moon” ahead of her solo debut.
- She served as a mentor on SBS’s Universe Ticket alongside fellow member Chaeryeong.
- She and Lia are ITZY’s two oldest members, both born in 2000.
- She contributed her own solo track, “Crown On My Head,” to the Born to Be EP.
- She released her first solo OST, “Think about you,” for the drama Love Your Enemy.
Social Media and Where to Follow
Yeji is active across ITZY’s official group platforms, including Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and YouTube, where her leadership within the group, solo music releases, and commanding stage presence continue to draw significant fan engagement. Her solo era content, including Air and her OST work, has further expanded her visibility as an individual artist distinct from her role within ITZY.
As ITZY continues its rise following Gold, Girls Will Be Girls, and subsequent releases, Yeji’s dual role as both group leader and solo artist continues to make her one of the most prominent figures in the group’s ongoing story.
Conclusion
From a Seoul trainee to ITZY’s leader and the first member to launch a solo career, Yeji’s career reflects a rare combination of steady leadership and genuine artistic ambition.
Whether fans are drawn in by her commanding stage presence, her guidance through the group’s hiatus and reunion, her solo EP Air, or her mentorship on Universe Ticket, Yeji continues to prove why she’s regarded as one of the most influential leaders in K-pop today.
As ITZY’s global reach continues to grow, all eyes remain on Yeji to see what she’ll lead and create next.
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