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Jack Lau

One of the highlights of K-pop girl group (G)I-DLE’s recently released EP, I Trust, is the single Lion, which won the prize for best female performance at South Korea’s Golden Disc Awards in January.
And one of the best things about Lion is the stand-out performance from Thai-born member Minnie, whose versatile range and piercing high notes are on full display.
Here’s a look at the life of (G)I-DLE’s main vocalist so far.

Her early life
Minnie was born Nicha Yontararak in Bangkok in October 1997 and her nickname was chosen to be consistent with those of her older twin brothers, Mic and Mac.
She was born into a musical family, with her mother, aunt and uncle playing the piano. Minnie followed in their footsteps and began learning the instrument at the age of four. She studied classical piano until 14, when she started to explore pop and jazz. Minnie also had years of singing lessons, starting in kindergarten.

Minnie had always had her heart set on becoming a singer. She was a self-professed fan of K-pop boy group Super Junior and often dreamt of being a K-pop star, but never thought it would actually be possible.
She took her first steps towards realising her dream when a singing teacher at Minnie’s school encouraged her to try out for the global auditions held by K-pop company Cube Entertainment. After her vocal lesson.
Minnie submitted a video of her singing The Neighbourhood’s Sweater Weather in her school uniform – and the rest is history. She arrived in South Korea aged 17, and started her journey as a trainee at Cube Entertainment. She was unveiled as (G)I-DLE’s main vocalist on their debut EP from 2018, I Am.


Her role in (G)I-DLE
The group’s main vocalist, Minnie has a versatile voice: she sings in a soft, breathy voice when performing more emotive songs and acoustic renditions, as seen in her covers of Christina Perri’s A Thousand Years and iKon’s Love Scenario. But on more powerful songs such as Lion, Minnie can belt out the powerful high notes.
In addition to singing, Minnie has written two of (G)I-DLE’s best-known songs. She composed the music and wrote the lyrics to For You from the group’s EP Latata. Minnie did the same for the R&B track Blow Your Mind from the 2019 EP I Made, and also directed the track’s music video.
On the intro to the group’s 2018 single Hann (Alone), Minnie also showcased her whistling skills, which she later described as one of her hidden talents.
Fluent in Thai, English and Korean, also speaking some Chinese and Japanese on the side, Minnie often acts as the group’s translator and shows off her multilingual education.

Her solo career
Before making her debut in 2016, Minnie was featured in fellow Cube Entertainment trainee Soyeon’s performance on South Korean rap competition show Unpretty Rapstar 3. Soyeon would go on to debut with Minnie as part of (G)I-DLE.
A year later, Minnie was featured on six tracks of Dance Party!, an English children’s album released by Line Friends.
Minnie was also featured on Empire, a track released by YouTuber Wengie, which has received more than seven million views and peaked at No 22 on Billboard’s world digital song sales chart.
Her image
Apart from her voice, Minnie is also known for her striking eyes and the strong gaze that’s featured in many of (G)I-DLE’s music videos.
Despite being the second oldest member of the group, Minnie loves to aegyo, or to act cute, according to some of her (G)I-DLE bandmates. She famously also loves Japanese food, and her favourite Japanese delicacies include sashimi and anything matcha.

In her own words
With multinational K-pop groups becoming more common, Minnie told E! Online that all non-Korean K-pop star had a special mission.
“Personally, as a foreign member of the K-pop industry, I want to be a role model for foreigners who have the same dream,” she said. “And I want others to look at us and have their own dream and follow it. Even if you’re not Korean, you can do it. Don’t ever give up on your dream.”


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Born in Bangkok, Minnie loves Japanese food, being cute and anything to do with matcha
She trained at piano and singing for years before moving to South Korea aged 17 to train at a K-pop label



The lead vocalist of (G)I-DLE, Minnie was born in Bangkok and moved to South Korea aged 17 to train at Cube Entertainment. She has a versatile voice, has directed a music video and is a talented whistler.


Fame and celebrity

K-pop idols

South Korean celebrities

(G)I-DLE

Minnie of (G)I-DLE: the Thai-born lead vocalist who wants to inspire non-Korean K-pop hopefuls

Born in Bangkok, Minnie loves Japanese food, being cute and anything to do with matcha She trained at piano and singing for years before moving to South Korea aged 17 to train at a K-pop label

Born in Bangkok, Minnie loves Japanese food, being cute and anything to do with matcha

She trained at piano and singing for years before moving to South Korea aged 17 to train at a K-pop label