Nicha Yontararak (Thai: ณิชา ยนตรรักษ์; born (1997-10-23)October 23, 1997), known professionally as Minnie (Korean: 민니; Thai: มินนี่), is a Thai singer, songwriter, record producer and actress based in South Korea.[1][2] She is a member of South Korean girl group (G)I-dle, which debuted on May 2, 2018 under Cube Entertainment.[3]
Early life and education
Minnie was born on October 23, 1997,[4] in Bangkok, Thailand and is a third-generation Thai Chinese.[5] She has older twin brothers.[5] She was born into a musical family, with her mother, aunt and uncle playing the piano.[5] Minnie has been playing piano since she was five and taking vocal lessons since she was seven years old.[6][7] Her mother was her main influence for loving music. She always watched her mom playing the piano, and learned to play it from her.[8] Minnie attended Wattana Wittaya Academy and studied music at Grammy Vocal Studio in Thailand.[9][non-primary source needed] She was a cheerleader, drummer, actress in a stage play, and more in her school.[8] She also studied Chinese for four years.[10] Minnie is multilingual. She speaks five languages including Thai, English, Korean, Japanese and Mandarin.[11]
Career
2014–2017: Pre-debut activities
In September 2014, she participated in the Cube Star World Audition in Thailand and came to South Korea in 2015[10] after her mother encouraged her, calling it a "once in a life opportunity".[12]
In June 2017, she participated in a promotional video for Rising Star Cosmetics along with Song Yuqi and Shuhua, future members of (G)I-dle.[15] The same year, Minnie was given an opportunity to feature for Line Friends' "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and six songs in Dance Party! – Children's English Songs.[16][17]
On May 2, 2018, Minnie debuted with (G)I-dle with their mini-album I Am and the title song "Latata".[18] She received positive reviews for having a unique, attractive, and soothing voice.[19]
In their second album, I Made, Minnie participated in composing, songwriting, and arranging Blow Your Mind which was first released through To Neverland.[20][21] A self-directed music video was released.[22] Minnie confessed that she makes songs on piano and is taking MIDI classes to improve composing.[23] She was credited in composing "For You" for (G)I-dle's Japanese debut album, Latata.[24] In October 2019, (G)I-dle took part in Queendom by Mnet. In the first preliminary stage, the viewers were overwhelmed with Minnie's Thai intro enchantment for "Latata", and was well received from viewers in South Korea and Thailand.[25][26][27] In the third pre-contest unit stage, Minnie represents (G)I-dle's vocal member. She shared the stage with AOA's Hyejeong performing "Instagram" by Dean.[28] The stage was voted the most anticipated unit stage by the contestants.[29] Moreover, the song re-entered music charts and grew popularity amongst the general public due to their performance.[30] On October 15, it was announced that Minnie teamed up with Wengie, a Chinese AustralianYouTuber for a collaboration song "Empire" on October 18.[31] "Empire" debuted at number 22 on the BillboardWorld Digital Songs.[32]
2020–present: Acting debut and solo activities
In 2020, Minnie participated in writing and composing "I'm the Trend" and "Tung-Tung (Empty)" alongside FCM Houdini. "I'm the Trend" is a song dedicated for Neverland and was unveiled during her group's first online concert I-Land: Who Am I on July 5, 2020.[33] "Tung-Tung (Empty)" is an emotional song that expresses the feeling of a tired heart which was once full but became empty. Through Minnie's words, "I hope that many people will sympathize with this song because it conveys loneliness."[34] The song was released for (G)I-dle's Japanese second extended play Oh My God.[35]
In September, Minnie made her acting debut in a Netflix's sitcom So Not Worth It alongside Park Se-wan, Shin Hyun Seung, Got7's Youngjae and Han Hyun-min.[36] The show centers on multinational students living their lives together in a dorm in Seoul. Minnie plays a fictionalized version of herself, a genre savvy Thai girl who loves Korean dramas.[37]
In October, Minnie sung "Getaway" as part of My Dangerous Wife soundtrack [38] and "We Already Fell In Love" together with Miyeon as part of Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol soundtrack [39] On October 6, Glance TV introduced their new fashion show Minnie Soojin's i'M THE TREND(민니 수진의 i'M THE TREND) and paired Minnie and Soojin together.[40] The duo had a styling battle every time for the title of 'Trend Center', which is a combination of a trend setter and an idol center. In addition, the duo revealed their styling secrets, various outfits, shopping tips and video pictorial 'Fashion Film'. The show premiered on October 14 through Naver Style TV.[41][42] On November 22, Minnie appeared on Play Seoul, a program produced by the Seoul Tourism Foundation and KBS where influential K-stars can share with global fans their experiences in Seoul in real-time. The show aims to promote safe post-COVID-19 tourism in Seoul. Minnie alongside Yuqi introduced the hip alley ways in Seoul by visiting Euljiro and Itaewon for their cafes and restaurants.[43]
In 2021, Minnie co-composed "Moon" and "Dahlia", which was released on January 11 for her group's fourth extended play I Burn.[44] On September 23, the singer featured in "Money Honey", a collaboration song with Thai rappers F. Hero [th] and UrboyTJ [th].[45] The song features lyrics about love that can't be exchanged with money or any other materials. It was released as a digital single on music streaming app Joox.[46]
Other ventures
Endorsements
Before Minnie's debut, she became a model for the local skin care line Celeb's Secret (Korean: 셀럽시크릿) alongside bandmates Yuqi and Shuhua.[47][48] In July 2022, Webtoon Thailand selected Minnie as their model to promote their new campaign, where Minnie picked three new stories to promote.[49][50] It was later reported that the three titles were ranked at the top of the platform, and had the highest sales revenue at the time, as well as reaching over 50 million views on the video of the campaign in spin of seven days.[51] On the same month, Minnie was announced as MAC's new muse.[52] In August 2022, Minnie was announced as the muse for the South Korean clothing brand Laura Laura (Korean: 로라로라).[53][54] In September 2022, clothing brand ACBF selected Minnie alongside band member Yuqi as their new models.[55] In November 2022, Minnie was announced as mode for the Italian clothing brand Duvetica.[56] In December of the same year, Minnie was one of the celebrities who advertised for the South Korean traveling platform How About Here (Korean: 여기어때) and its partner at the time, Melon.[57] Followed with her advertisement for the South Korean cosmetics brand 3CE.[58] In February 2023, she became the muse for the South Korean brand J.Estina handbag alongside bandmate Miyeon.[59] In August of the same year, she was selected as the new ambassador for Prada's Italian fashion brand Miu Miu.[60]
In February 2023, Minnie donated 20 million won to help in the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake through Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association.[66]
Artistry
Musical style and songwriting
Journalist Jake Lau of South China Morning Post noted that Minnie has a versatile voice: "she sings in a soft, breathy voice when performing more emotive songs and acoustic renditions, but on more powerful songs such as Lion, Minnie can belt out the powerful high notes". Apart from her voice, she is also known for her striking eyes and strong gaze that is featured in many of (G)I-dle's music videos.[5] Through an interview with HelloAsia, she revealed that she gets inspired by her own story or from other people's stories or movies.[67]
Influences
Growing up in a family of musicians, Minnie stated that the music video of "A Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton where she starts playing the song while the piano was moving, ignited her dreams as a musician. She commented, "Ever since I saw that MV, I started thinking that I will sing and play the piano. I must become an artist like that".[12] She also cites Super Junior whose songs she often sang to while growing up that led her into K-Pop.[68] Through a magazine interview, Minnie considered American singer Alicia Keys as her role model since her childhood. She explained that she used to watch a lot of television with her mother when she was a child, and the performance by Keys' 2003 hit "If I Ain't Got You" was what inspired her to pursue music.[69] She also cited Australian singer Troye Sivan, Thai singer Stamp Apiwat, and American singer Charlotte Lawrence as her inspirations and hopes to collaborate with them someday.[70][69]
^"Saying Hello" did not enter Gaon Digital Chart, but debuted and peaked at number 80 on Gaon Download Chart.[73]
^"Timing" did not enter Circle Digital Chart, but debuted and peaked at number 91 on the component Circle Download Chart.[74]
References
^[현장] (여자)아이들 민니 "자작곡 'Blow Your Mind', 美서 뮤직비디오 직접 ... [[On-Site] (G)I-DLE Minnie "Self-composed song 'Blow Your Mind', direct music video in the US ...]. Single List (in Korean). February 26, 2019. Archived from the original on April 24, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
^Lim, Min-young (September 27, 2019). (여자)아이들 민니, 본명 '니차 욘따라락' 화제...'국적은 어디?' [(G)I-DLE's Minnie, real name 'Nicha Yontarak' is a hot topic...'What is your nationality?']. TopStarNews (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 14, 2019. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
^(여자)아이들 민니X소연, 프로필 사진 공개...몽환美 [(G)I-DLE Minnie X Soyeon, profile picture revealed... dreamy beauty]. Sports Donga (in Korean). April 13, 2018. Archived from the original on October 14, 2019. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
^"민니". people.search.naver.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
^[T포토] 민니 "5살 때부터 피아노 쳤어요" [[T Photo] Minnie "I've been playing the piano since I was 5"]. TvReport. May 2, 2016. Archived from the original on October 14, 2019. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
^(여자)아이들 민니, '7살때부터 보컬수업 받았어요~' (쇼케이스) [(G)I-DLE's Minnie, 'I took vocal lessons since I was 7~' (Showcase)]. Seoul Entertainment. May 2, 2016. Archived from the original on October 14, 2019. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
^ ab(여자)아이들((G)-I-DLE) – 나의 이름은。민니(MINNIE) [(G)I-DLE ((G)-I-DLE) – My name is. Minnie (MINNIE)] (in Korean). Cube Entertainment. April 26, 2018. Archived from the original on November 30, 2019. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
^ ab独家专访(G)I-DLE:中韩泰三国语爆笑对话 [Exclusive interview with (G)I-DLE: hilarious dialogue in Chinese, Korean and Thai]. iQiyi. March 23, 2016. Archived from the original on August 1, 2018. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
^(여자)아이들 민니X소연, 프로필 사진 공개...몽환美 [(G)I-DLE Minnie X Soyeon, profile picture revealed... dreamy beauty]. Elle Korea (in Korean). November 10, 2018. Archived from the original on April 24, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
^161105 언프리티랩스타3 대구콘서트 전소연 '웃어' 직캠 By.SGJP [161105 Unpretty Rapstar 3 Daegu Concert Jeon So-yeon 'Smile' fancam By.SGJP]. YouTube (in Korean). November 6, 2017. Archived from the original on March 8, 2017. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
^비포앤애프터바이오 라이징스타 워터뱅뱅앰플미스트 걸그룹 연습생 화장품광고 티저 송우기 [Before & After Bio Rising Star Water Bang Bang Ampoule Mist Girl Group Trainee Cosmetics Ad Teaser Song Woo-gi]. RisingStar (in Korean). June 1, 2017. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
^"Dance Party! – 어린이 영어동요" (in Korean). Naver Music. November 13, 2017. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
^[포토] 6인조 신인 걸그룹 '아이들' 데뷔 [[Photo] 6-member girl group 'I-DLE' debut]. New Daily (in Korean). May 2, 2018. Archived from the original on October 14, 2019. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
^[포토Q] (여자)아이들 민니 '독특한 보이스와 춤' ((여자)아이들 데뷔 쇼케이스) [[PhotoQ] (G)I-DLE Minnie 'unique voice and dance' ((G)I-DLE debut showcase)] (in Korean). SportsQ. May 2, 2018. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
^(여자)아이들 민니, "첫 자작곡 수록... MV도 직접 촬영" [(G)I-DLE's Minnie, "The first self-composed song... I also filmed the MV myself"]. Star Daily (in Korean). May 2, 2019. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
^(여자)아이들, 미니 2집 'I made' 트랙리스트 공개... '5곡 모두 자작곡' [(G)I-DLE, 2nd mini album 'I made' tracklist released... 'All 5 songs are self-composed']. Star Daily (in Korean). February 14, 2019. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
^Hong, Sung-hoon (February 19, 2019). (여자)아이들의 'TO NEVERLAND' 마지막 에피소드 공개 [(G)I-DLE's 'TO NEVERLAND' final episode released]. New Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
^Lee, Dong-hyun (February 26, 2019). 아이들, 소연 이어 민니까지 자작곡 "개성 있는 목소리에 신경 써" (종합) [(G)I-DLE, from Soyeon to Minni, self-composed song "Pay attention to your unique voice" (Comprehensive)] (in Korean). The Voice of the People. Archived from the original on October 14, 2019. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
^(G)I-DLE 日本デビュー作にはメンバー書き下ろしの新曲も、収録内容&ジャケット写真公開 [(G)I-DLE Japan debut work includes new songs written by members, recorded contents & jacket photos released] (in Japanese). SPICE. May 30, 2019. Archived from the original on August 11, 2019. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
^˝퀸덤˝ 붉은 레이저와 민니의 몽환적인 태국어 주문으로...? [˝Queendom˝ Red laser and Minnie's dreamy Thai spell... ?]. CSN (in Korean). September 9, 2019. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
^'퀸덤' (여자)아이들 민니·수진, 독보적 음색에 카리스마 퍼포먼스까지 ['Queendom' (G)I-DLE's Minnie and Soojin, unique tones and charismatic performances]. Seoul Daily (in Korean). October 11, 2019. Archived from the original on October 14, 2019. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
^'퀸덤' 중간점검, 가장 기대되는 유닛 1위 혜정×민니 ['Queendom' mid-term inspection, the most anticipated unit #1 Hyejeong × Minnie]. Sports Donga (in Korean). October 4, 2019. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
^Lee, Soo-min (June 25, 2020). (여자)아이들, 민니·우기 자작곡...7월 콘서트서 공개 [(G)I-DLE, Minnie and Yuqi's self-composed song... Released at a concert in July]. Newsis. Archived from the original on October 11, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
^Jeong, Hee-yeon (September 25, 2020). 넷플릭스 오리지널 '지구망' 제작 돌입...최영재-민니 등 출연 [공식] [Netflix original 'So Not Worth It' production begins... Choi Young-jae and Minnie appeared [Official]]. Sports Donga. Archived from the original on October 10, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
^(여자)아이들 민니, 오늘(11일) '나의 위험한 아내' OST 발매, 김정은 테마곡 [(G)I-DLE's Minnie, today (11th) 'My Dangerous Wife' OST release, Kim Jong-un's theme song]. Newsen (in Korean). October 11, 2020. Archived from the original on October 11, 2020. Retrieved October 11, 2020 – via Naver.
^(여자)아이들 미연X민니 '도도솔솔라라솔' OST 4번째 주자로 [(G)I-DLE Miyeon X Minnie as the 4th runner-up in the OST of 'Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol']. Newsen (in Korean). October 15, 2020. Archived from the original on December 26, 2022. Retrieved October 15, 2020 – via Naver.
^Lee, Keum-Yong (October 14, 2020). 글랜스TV, 패션 콘텐츠 < 민니 수진의 i'M THE TREND > 런칭 [Glance TV launches fashion content <Minnie Soojin's i'M THE TREND>]. Movieist. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
^ ab민니 수진의 i'M THE TREND(암더트렌드) [Minni Soojin's i'M THE TREND (Im the Trend)]. Naver. September 29, 2020. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
^ abKim, Ji-hye (November 20, 2020). '플레이서울' (여자)아이들-더보이즈-스트레이키즈의 서울 탐방기..22일 첫방송 ['Play Seoul' (G)Idle-The Boyz-Stray Kids' tour of Seoul.. First broadcast on the 22nd]. HeraldPop. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
^Byung-cheol, Yoo (December 31, 2020). (여자)아이들, 미니 4집 'I burn' 트랙리스트 공개...전곡 자작곡 [(G)Idle, 4th mini album'I burn' track list released... All self-composed songs]. Korea Economic Daily. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
^Lee, Jae-eun (October 11, 2020). (여자)아이들 민니 참여, 태국어 싱글 '머니허니' 23일 발매 [(G)I-dle Minnie participated, Thai single 'Money Honey' released on the 23rd]. Sports Khan. Archived from the original on December 26, 2022. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
^"라이징스타 모델 출신 연습생 우기-민니-슈화, 걸그룹 '(여자)아이들'로 데뷔!" [Trainees Yuqi, Minnie, and Shuhua, former models of Rising Star, debuted as a girl group '(G)I-DLE'!]. bnabio. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
^Jung, Yunji (July 22, 2022). "인간 맥(M.A.C), 민니의 완벽 유죄 화보" [Human Mac (MAC), Minnie's Perfectly Guilty Pictorial]. Elle (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
^Yong, Won-joong (August 26, 2022). "(여자)아이들 민니, 로라로라 뮤즈 발탁...22FW 화보 공개" [(G)I-DLE Minnie, Laura Laura selected as muse... 22FW Pictorial release]. Single list (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
^라이프팀 (December 14, 2022). "[퇴근뉴스]마침내, 겨울 시즌 오프 세일은 시작되고" [[After Work News] Finally, the winter season off sale begins]. Lady Kyunghyang (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023 – via Naver.
^Lim, Jae-ho (September 20, 2022). "ACBF, (여자)아이들 '민니·우기' 브랜드 모델로 발탁" [ACBF, (G)I-DLE selected as 'Minnie Yuqi' brand models]. bntnews (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
^Ryu, Ye-ji (November 15, 2022). "(여자)아이들 민니, 조부모 '리조트 사업' 한다더니...태국 재벌 맞네" [(G)I-DLE's Minnie, grandparents said they were doing a 'resort business'... thai tycoon]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
^Kim, Hye-kyung (December 21, 2022). "여기어때, 멜론과 해외여행 이벤트 개최" [How about here, overseas travel event held with Melon]. Newsis (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
^Lee, Subin (December 31, 2022). "3CE X (여자)아이들 민니, 봄맞이 핑크·핑크한 미모 자랑 [kdf beauty]" [3CE X (G)I-DLE's Minnie boasts a pink-pink beauty for spring [kdf beauty]]. Korea Duty Free News (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
^Jeong, Hye-jin (February 27, 2023). "제이에스티나 핸드백, 새 뮤즈 (여자)아이들 미연·민니와 함께한 23SS 광고 공개 : 네이트 뉴스" [J. Estina handbag, 23SS advertisement with new muse (G)I-DLE Miyeon and Minnie released]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 30, 2023. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
^AuAi (August 6, 2021). เจาะทุกเรื่องราวในชีวิต มินนี่ (G)I-DLE ณิชา ยนตรรักษ์ จากลูกสาวคน [Piercing every story in life Minnie (G)I-DLE Nicha Yontararak from the daughter of the family to the Korean path of idols.]. Sudsapda (in Thai). Archived from the original on November 27, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
^Park, Se-yeon (February 17, 2023). "(여자)아이들 민니, 튀르키예·시리아 지진구호 성금 2천만원 기부" [(G)I-DLE's Minnie donates KRW 20 million to Turkey and Syria earthquake relief] (in Korean). Maeil Business Daily Star Today. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2023 – via Naver.
^(여자)아이들 민니X소연, 프로필 사진 공개...몽환美 [(G)I-DLE Minnie X Soyeon, profile picture revealed... dreamy beauty]. Elle Korea (in Korean). November 10, 2018. Archived from the original on April 24, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
"Empire". Billboard. October 29, 2019. Archived from the original on October 29, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
^2022년 26주차 Download Chart [Week 26 of 2022 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). June 19–25, 2022. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
^Lee, Da-gyeom (March 17, 2023). "(여자)아이들 민니, '케이콘 2023 태국' MC 발탁...뱀뱀과 호흡" [(G)I-DLE's Minnie selected as MC for 'KCON 2023 Thailand'...breathing with BamBam] (in Korean). Maeil Business Daily Star Today. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023 – via Naver.