Jeon Somi is both an open book and an enigma. A quick scroll through the Canadian-Dutch-Korean artist’s social media account might clue us in. Her Instagram feed; a casual yet curated mess of outfit snaps, kooky mirror selfies and vibey photo dumps. Her TikTok; a playful mix of trendy dance challenges and dorky videos, sometimes with her sister. One can assume it’s akin to the chronically online life of any other Gen Z individual. But those well-acquainted with the K-pop industry will know: Jeon Somi’s life is hardly like any other 23-year-old’s.
All too familiar with the hold of a K-pop survival show—where trainees fall in line to publicly compete to clinch a spot in a soon-to-debut group—Jeon is one who has been through the full works. While her first brush with the reality show format was JYP Entertainment’s Sixteen, the show behind the K-pop group Twice, it was the first season of Mnet’s competitive survival series Produce 101 that really paved the way for her success thereafter.
“My career took off with Produce 101, so that experience is definitely irreplaceable,” she recalls. One hundred and one trainees, 11 final members chosen through a public voting system, and it was Jeon who clinched the top spot, solidifying her unrivalled appeal. The rest, as they say, is history. The final idol group, named I.O.I, was an absolute hit with the masses, their fame skyrocketing upon the release of songs like ‘Very Very Very’ and ‘Downpour’. But the group’s promotional period together was always meant to be temporary; a launching pad of sorts for individual members to further their careers. And so they did, with many of I.O.I’s members—Jeon included—now recognised for their solo acts, be it in music or acting.
Going solo, however, is understandably a mammoth task of its own, considering the K-pop industry’s relentless and fast-paced environment. Nevertheless, everything seemed to fall into place in2019, when Jeon officially debuted with ‘Birthday’, a punchy pop single that felt cosmically right for the then 18-year-old artist. A string of popular, groovy tracks have followed since, from ‘Dumb Dumb’ and ‘XOXO’ to ‘What You Waiting For’ and ‘Fast Forward’. Some melodies focus on her captivating tone of voice, while others are an enjoyable nod to her predilection for fun, club-worthy dance beats.
Yet one thing has rung true all throughout her discography: an acute sense of lyricism that feels keenly personal. Sure enough, a look into the credits of both her album XOXO and first EP Game Plan will reveal that much of Jeon’s solo work is essentially testament to her songwriting and producing capabilities in the studio. “I’ve never been taught to write music, but melodies just came to me. Teddy was the one who encouraged me to turn them into songs, even suggesting one of my first tracks for my debut album. He gave me the confidence to try something new and step into unfamiliar territory. Now, I’m comfortable writing music, but my favourites are still the ones Teddy and the other producers really vibe with—those feel like my home base,” she muses.
An apt moment to probe: could this be a hint at new music? After all, we’ve been left on the edge of our seats ever since the release of the bright summer single that is ‘Ice Cream’, with a music video cameo by South Korean A-lister Park Seo-joon to boot.“Yes… I am getting ready for my next project. It will have different genres of dance, but you’ll just have to wait and see for yourself,” Jeon says with a wink.
“I’ve been learning how to truly express myself over the years. I’m getting closer to showing more of who I really am.”
At the time of writing, the affable K-pop soloist has just celebrated Seollal—the Korean Lunar New Year in South Korea—and is two months shy of turning 24. “As a snake zodiac and 2025 being the Year of the Snake, I’m really excited to see how they’ll complement each other. I’m eager to see how the year pans out,” she quips. “March is also my birthday month so it’s all extra meaningful to me.” And if it sounds like her life is being written in the stars, then maybe it is.
For how many other K-pop artists can attest to having launched a successful idol career and a beauty brand at her age? Early last year, Jeon birthed her make-up label Glyf, and it’s been slowly expanding its range, starting from a highlighter palette to kitschy pimple patches and most recently, a multipurpose blush stick. It may seem out of left field for the typical idol in South Korea, but Jeon is nothing if not experimental in her approach to her myriad creative outlets.
Still, juggling both can’t be easy. Yet considering Jeon’s unwavering approach to life, it’s evident that nothing is impossible. “I’ve always known I had the guts to handle tough challenges. But launching Glyf has really brought that side of me out, what with the work that goes into creating a product or the process of building a company. Now, it’s my shield; I can take on anything. With my music and working with the producers, I share the responsibility, but with Glyf, it’s all on me, and managing all of it is on a whole different scale of its own.”
In truth, while rare, it’s a path that feels natural for the multi-hyphenate. Even before the launch of Glyf, her music videos have served as cinematic glimpses into her bold creative vision. One of her personal favourites being the nerd aesthetic she emulated for the ‘Fast Forward’ MV. “I designed grills into braces because I’ve always wanted to wear braces, and in my mind, it was the finishing touch to the full nerd look.” And whether it was the cosmos or not, it was actually a Prada show she attended that had inspired the visuals of ‘Fast Forward’.
“I’m now used to Milan because of Prada—it’s a familiar cycle that gives me comfort.”
Now a familiar face at the luxury maison’s shows during Milan Fashion Week, the house ambassador speaks fondly of her first fashion show with Prada. “I’m now used to Milan because of Prada—it’s a familiar cycle that gives me comfort. But I really respect the brand’s use of colour and silhouettes and watching the show gave me ideas for how I wanted to express ‘Fast Forward’ onstage and in the music video.
Being in a group before, I didn’t have the chance to fully express my individuality. But as a solo artist, I’ve been learning and discovering how to truly express myself over the years. I’m getting closer to showing more of who I really am,” she thoughtfully adds.
It might be far from being set in stone, but we’re certain a mirage is slowly coming to the fore. It’s palpable from the energy she brings to the set of Vogue Singapore’s cover shoot for the March ‘Vigour’ issue; a free spirit who flits between playful, whimsical ensembles to moodier, more sophisticated shots with practised ease.
So I ask, what does vigour mean to someone like Jeon Somi? To some, it could be her colourful approach to creating music when she’s in the studio, the way she cements her own brand of cool through her beauty brand Glyf, or just her seemingly exuberant disposition towards life as a whole. But her answer is far more straightforward than that. “It’s everything. Vigour is everything I’ve been talking about all along.”
Photography Heejune Kim
Stylist Kim Yejin
Talent visual director Seajun Kim
Hair Yoo Dongho
Make-up Ko Miyeong
Manicure Park Eunkyung/Unistella
Set Designer Yoo Yeojung
Photographer’s assistants Seo Hyunji, Kang Seokjin, Lee Jiwon, ParkSeonghwan
Make-up artist’s assistant Yeonsu
Hair stylist’s assistant Bak Kiho
Production A Prject
Executive producer Kelly Suh
On-set producer Indigo Choi
Production assistant Kim Gitae
Vogue Singapore’s March ‘Vigour’ issue will be out on newsstands from 7 March and available to preorder online.
