BIBI (Singer)

1. Overview

A South Korean singer-songwriter and actress. In 2018, she participated in SBS's "The Fan", recommended by Yoon Mi-rae and Tiger JK, making it to the finals against Car, the Garden and finishing as the runner-up, which really put her name out there. She officially debuted on May 15, 2019, with the single "Binu". Thanks to BIBI's uniquely charming voice and outstanding expressiveness, she made a strong impression on music fans right from the start.

2. Before Debut

She reportedly dreamed of becoming a ballad singer since elementary school. However, after going through puberty, she became discouraged due to her unique vocal tone. Then, she discovered artists like Yoon Mi-rae through the background music popular on Minihompy at the time, which sparked her interest in hip-hop and R&B. She started writing lyrics, composing, and making music on her own. Tiger JK and Yoon Mi-rae came across her self-produced music uploaded to SoundCloud through an acquaintance and contacted her. BIBI, who was a big fan of Yoon Mi-rae, signed with Feel Ghood Music, thinking it was a scam at first.^[5][6]

She gained recognition by participating in SBS's "The Fan" in 2018. She reached the finals and finished as the runner-up.

She featured on Park Jin-young's song 'Fever'. At the 2019 SBS Entertainment Awards, she performed 'Fever' live with Park Jin-young.

She featured on TWICE's song 'MORE & MORE'. Thanks to this, she attended the Mnet Asian Music Awards as a composer for the first time since her debut.

3. Position

3.1. Vocals

She has a unique, drowsy yet sophisticated R&B-style vocal tone. Her wide vocal range allows her to handle both low and high notes comfortably. What truly stands out is her exceptional expressiveness. She vividly conveys the emotions of the lyrics, making it feel as if she's telling a story through her singing. This is particularly evident in her live performances. Her ability to immerse herself in the performance is remarkable, showcasing her talent as a versatile artist capable of various concepts.

3.2. Producing

She is also skilled in writing lyrics and composing, actively participating in the production of most of her songs. Her lyrics are often based on personal experiences or imagination, and she is known for her bold and candid storytelling. She frequently explores unconventional themes, showcasing her unique artistic perspective. She has also participated in writing lyrics and composing for other artists, including TWICE, demonstrating her versatility as a producer.

4. Filmography

4.1. Movies

4.2. Dramas

4.3. Fixed Variety Show Appearances

5. Awards

6. Trivia

• Her stage name 'BIBI' comes from 'Naked BIBI', meaning she wants to show honest music and herself like a baby.^[7]
• She has two dots under her right eye. These are her charm points. She usually doesn't cover them with makeup. She drew them herself with an oil-based marker after seeing Hyolyn's tattoo and thinking it was cool. When it faded, she got them tattooed.^[8]
• She said she got the dots tattooed as a promise to herself not to forget her roots, inspired by her grandfather who had heat spots from working hard in the heat.
• She often appears on entertainment shows and YouTube content, gaining popularity for her unique charm and wit.
• She has a close relationship with Yoon Mi-rae and Tiger JK, who discovered her. They often support each other's activities.
• Her younger sister, Kim Nakyoung, is a member of the girl group tripleS.
• She is known for her candid and unconventional personality, often breaking stereotypes about female artists in Korea.
• She actively communicates with fans through social media, sharing glimpses of her daily life and music production process.
• She enjoys various genres of music, including hip-hop, R&B, rock, and electronic music.
• She is also interested in fashion and often showcases unique and bold styles.
• She participated in the soundtrack for Marvel's movie "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings".
• She has expressed her ambition to become a globally recognized artist, expanding her activities beyond Korea.
• During a live stream on July 21, 2022, she cried expressing frustration about wanting to wash up, sleep well, and eat well but not being able to, leading fans to worry about her being overworked. She later clarified on Weverse and another live stream that it was due to the stress and fatigue of preparing her full album, not because the agency was mistreating her. She emphasized that she is always grateful to the people who help her and that everyone works hard together.
• She threw a condom during her performance at the HEAD IN THE CLOUDS festival on August 21, 2022. She explained it was for "safe sex."
• She kissed a female fan during her performance at the same festival.
• She made her acting debut in the movie "Whispering Corridors 6: The Humming" (2021).
• She received positive reviews for her performance in the movie "Hopeless" (2023), winning Best New Actress at the Buil Film Awards and the Blue Dragon Film Awards.
• She also impressed viewers with her role in the Disney+ drama "The Worst of Evil" (2023).