Hwang Ye-ji (황예지), known mononymously as Yeji, is a South Korean singer, dancer, and songwriter born on May 26, 2000, in Seoul and raised in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province. She is best known as the leader and main dancer of the K-pop girl group ITZY, formed by JYP Entertainment in 2019. Yeji began her training with JYP in 2016 and gained early attention through appearances on shows like Stray Kids (2017) and The Fan (2018), where she was eliminated in the fifth episode.
Yeji officially debuted with ITZY on February 12, 2019, with the single “DALLA DALLA,” which quickly became a hit and established the group’s reputation for empowering messages and dynamic performances. As the group’s leader, Yeji is recognized for her charismatic stage presence, sharp dance skills, and vocal abilities.
In March 2025, Yeji made her solo debut with the extended play (EP) Air, featuring four tracks: “Air,” “Invasion,” “Can’t Slow Me, No,” and “258.” The lead single, “Air,” is a synth-pop track that Yeji co-wrote, aiming to convey the immersive feeling of performing on stage.
Beyond her musical career, Yeji has made significant strides in the fashion industry. She appeared on the covers of W Korea and Elle Korea in 2023 and attended Dolce & Gabbana’s Spring/Summer 2025 show at Milan Fashion Week. In February 2025, she was announced as a brand ambassador for Roger Vivier.
Yeji is also active in philanthropy; in November 2023 and October 2024, she participated in W Korea’s “Love Your W” campaign to raise awareness about breast cancer.
