Secret Number's Jinny: From K-pop Idol to Solo Artist

Secret Number Jinny has traveled a fascinating path through the competitive K-pop industry before emerging as a solo artist. Originally a trainee under YG Entertainment for over 5 years, Jinny Park was even part of the pre-debut lineup for BLACKPINK before being cut from the final group.

After leaving YG Entertainment, she subsequently appeared on the survival show Produce 48 as an independent trainee, though her journey ended with elimination in episode 5 after ranking 68th. Nevertheless, Jinny's career took a positive turn when she debuted with SECRET NUMBER on May 19, 2020, with the single "Who Dis?". The Korean-American singer trained for approximately seven years before finally making her official debut with the girl group.

Following her departure from SECRET NUMBER in April 2025 when her contract with VINE Entertainment expired, Jinny made her solo debut on September 8, 2025, under Betty Music with the English mini album "Towards the Light". Throughout her career, she has demonstrated her multilingual abilities, being fluent in both English and Korean while also speaking some Japanese, Indonesian, Mandarin, and Spanish.

Early Life and Background

Born on January 20, 1998, in Los Angeles, California, Jinny Park began her journey as a Korean-American artist with deep connections to both cultures. Her birth name was Park Jin-hee (박진희) in Korean, although some sources indicate she was originally named Eun Jin Park and legally changed her name to "Jinny Park" after grade school.

Birthplace and family

Jinny's early years were shaped by her dual cultural heritage. Despite conflicting reports about her exact birthplace—with some sources citing Orange County rather than Los Angeles proper—what remains consistent is her American upbringing with strong Korean roots. She grew up alongside her older sister Anne, forming close family bonds that would support her throughout her career.

Unlike many Korean-Americans who immigrated to the United States, Jinny was born in America, giving her a natural affinity for both Korean and American cultures from her earliest years. This bicultural foundation would later prove invaluable for her career in the international K-pop industry.

Education and language skills

Jinny attended Seoul International School, where English was the primary language of instruction. This educational environment enhanced her already strong bilingual abilities and prepared her for a career that would require fluent communication across cultural boundaries.

Her linguistic talents extend far beyond most of her peers. Jinny is completely fluent in both English and Korean, allowing her to connect authentically with fans around the world. Furthermore, she possesses remarkable language versatility, with additional skills in Mandarin Chinese and basic proficiency in Japanese, Indonesian, and Spanish. This multilingual ability positioned her perfectly for the increasingly global K-pop industry.

During her school years, Jinny developed her performance skills by covering songs from her favorite artists, including BIGBANG and 2NE1, at talent shows. These formative experiences sparked her interest in music and performance, eventually leading to her decision to pursue a career in K-pop.

Cultural identity as Korean-American

Jinny's identity as a Korean-American represents a fascinating intersection of cultures that shaped both her personal outlook and professional trajectory. Like many second-generation Korean Americans, she navigates the complex space between two distinct cultural worlds.

Studies of Korean-Americans indicate that this demographic often experiences a "hybrid identity" where elements of both cultures coexist. For Jinny, this bicultural perspective became an asset rather than a challenge. Her international background made her an ideal candidate for groups like Secret Number, where global appeal is essential.

The relationship between language and identity runs deep for many Korean-Americans. Research suggests that while speaking Korean is often considered important for cultural identity, many second-generation Korean-Americans like Jinny find their primary linguistic comfort in English. Nonetheless, maintaining Korean fluency provided her with cultural connections and professional opportunities that might otherwise have been inaccessible.

Jinny's childhood admiration for Korean artists like G-Dragon and CL (who became her role model) demonstrates how K-pop served as a cultural bridge, connecting her American upbringing with her Korean heritage. This early influence shaped not only her musical preferences but ultimately her career path as well.

In essence, Jinny Park's early life exemplifies how a bicultural upbringing can become a unique strength, providing her with the cultural fluidity and linguistic versatility necessary to thrive in the global entertainment industry.

Training Years at YG Entertainment

Jinny Park's journey to stardom began at one of K-pop's most prestigious companies, where she trained alongside future global superstars. After being inspired by Korean artists during her formative years, she took the decisive step to pursue her musical ambitions professionally.

Joining YG and early expectations

Following her passion for music, Jinny secured a trainee position at YG Entertainment, home to her idols including BIGBANG and 2NE1. As a bilingual talent with songwriting abilities, she quickly established herself as a promising prospect within the company's training system. YG Entertainment recognized her potential, considering her a "top future contender" among the agency's female trainees.

Initially, her fluency in both English and Korean positioned her as a valuable asset for YG's global market strategy. The company had already experienced international success with previous groups, making Jinny's American background particularly advantageous. During this period, YG Entertainment began teasing the formation of a new girl group, sometimes promoting them as a "future 2NE1" – setting high expectations for Jinny and her fellow trainees.

Being part of the pre-debut BLACKPINK lineup

Throughout her time at YG, Jinny trained alongside several notable trainees who would eventually become successful K-pop idols. This collective of female trainees was known internally as "Pink Punk" – a name that many fans believed would be the official group name upon debut. This pre-debut lineup included the four women who would become BLACKPINK – Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa – as well as future (G)I-DLE member Miyeon, Fromis_9's Lee Seo-yeon, and soloists Kim Eun-bi and Jang Hanna.

Photos from this era show Jinny appearing particularly close with Lisa, suggesting they formed a friendship during their training period. The original lineup reportedly consisted of seven members, with YG Entertainment considering various configurations before settling on the final four-member version of BLACKPINK that would eventually debut.

According to multiple sources, Jinny was indeed considered for the final BLACKPINK lineup but was ultimately "cut from the final lineup" before the group's official debut in August 2016. This decision came after years of intensive training alongside the members who would go on to become one of K-pop's most successful global acts.

Why she left YG after 5 years

After approximately five years of training at YG Entertainment, Jinny departed the company sometime in 2017-2018. The exact reasons for her departure have never been officially detailed by either Jinny or YG Entertainment. Certainly, the company is known for its selective process and high standards, as evidenced by BLACKPINK's eventual four-member configuration despite having numerous qualified trainees.

For many trainees, the uncertainty and competitive nature of the K-pop training system can become challenging to sustain long-term. Essentially, after her extended period training without a clear debut timeline, Jinny may have sought new opportunities elsewhere. Additionally, YG Entertainment is known for having strict policies for trainees and artists, including dating restrictions that have affected other aspiring idols.

Following her departure from YG Entertainment, Jinny would soon embark on a new chapter in her K-pop journey, taking the experience and skills she had developed during her five years of training into her next endeavors.

Produce 48: A New Chapter

After departing from YG Entertainment, Jinny Park embraced a new opportunity in 2018 when she appeared on Mnet's reality competition show, Produce 48—a program that would ultimately shape the next phase of her career.

Why she joined the survival show

Following her five-year training period at YG Entertainment, Jinny entered Produce 48 as an independent trainee. Without agency backing, this decision represented a bold step toward forging her own path in the industry. The show provided a platform for trainees to showcase their talents directly to the public, offering visibility that might lead to future opportunities.

Produce 48 represented a unique concept in the K-pop landscape—a collaboration between Korean entertainment companies and Japan's AKB48 system. The program brought together 96 contestants (57 from South Korean companies and 39 from Japanese idol groups), all competing for 12 coveted spots in a temporary Korean-Japanese project group that would promote for two and a half years.

For Jinny, the competition offered a chance to prove herself outside the YG system. As former YG trainees, both she and Roya Park (Park Seoyoung) entered the show with something to prove—ready to demonstrate that YG Entertainment had made a mistake in letting them go.

Performance highlights and rankings

Throughout her time on the show, Jinny experienced both highlights and challenges. For her initial evaluation, she performed Chungha's "Roller Coaster" alongside former YG trainee Park Seoyoung (Roya). Based on this performance, Jinny received a C rank in the first episode.

Her journey on the show can be tracked through her fluctuating rankings:

Episode 1: Ranked 52nd
Episode 2: Ranked 49th after receiving an F rank in the second evaluation
Episode 3: Ranked 61st after performing "Like OOH-AAH" (Japanese Version)
Final Ranking: 69th place with 52,495 votes, resulting in her elimination in episode 5

Curiously, despite the anticipation surrounding former YG trainees, Jinny and Roya's evaluation performance never aired in the first two episodes. Some viewers only caught glimpses of them dancing in a teaser for the second episode. This lack of screen time frustrated fans, especially considering the girls' experience and potential.

Lessons learned from the experience

Although Jinny's Produce 48 journey was relatively brief—ending with elimination in episode 5—the experience provided valuable exposure and performance opportunities. The show's competitive environment allowed her to showcase her abilities outside the training system, performing in front of live audiences and connecting directly with potential fans.

The program served as a transitional period between her years as a YG trainee and her eventual debut. After her elimination, Jinny began posting songs on her personal SoundCloud account, suggesting she was continuing to develop her musical identity even without a company affiliation.

Produce 48 also connected her with other talents in the industry. Interestingly, her future Secret Number bandmate Minji had also participated in the same show, finishing in 53rd place—creating an unexpected link that would later bring them together under Vine Entertainment.

Overall, Jinny's participation in Produce 48 represented an important stepping stone in her career—a moment of independence that, despite its challenges, ultimately helped lead her toward her eventual debut with Secret Number.

Debut with SECRET NUMBER

In late 2019, Jinny Park's perseverance finally paid off as she secured a position with a new entertainment company, marking the beginning of her official K-pop career after years of preparation.

How she joined Vine Entertainment

Following her appearance on Produce 48, Jinny joined Vine Entertainment around January 2019. This smaller agency represented a fresh start after her years at YG and her brief stint as an independent trainee. On December 17, 2019, Vine Entertainment officially revealed Jinny as the first member of their new multinational girl group project, SECRET NUMBER. This announcement generated immediate interest, primarily due to Jinny's previous visibility on Produce 48 and her background as a former YG trainee.

Interestingly, Vine Entertainment had initially planned to debut the group on March 26, 2020. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the company to postpone these plans. The complete lineup was ultimately revealed on April 29, 2020, through a dance cover video on YouTube, alongside the official announcement of the group name.

Debut with 'Who Dis?' and initial reception

After the individual introduction of members from May 11 to 14, SECRET NUMBER officially debuted on May 19, 2020, with their first single album titled "Who Dis?". The album consisted of two tracks: the lead single "Who Dis?" and "Holiday". The group held their debut showcase on the same day and made their first broadcast appearance on KBS2's Music Bank on May 22.

The debut proved remarkably successful for a group from a smaller entertainment company. By May 23, just four days after release, the "Who Dis?" music video had already surpassed 5 million views. This figure would continue to grow, eventually exceeding 8 million views in their first few weeks. Music critics noted that the song had a distinctive brass-heavy sound reminiscent of 2015 girl group singles, setting them apart from contemporary trends.

SECRET NUMBER's impressive commercial performance in their first five months earned them several rookie awards at major Korean year-end music shows, including recognition at the Asia Artist Awards, APAN Music Awards, and Asian Pop Music Awards. Billboard Korea even named them as one of the Rookie K-pop Groups of 2020.

Her role in the group: rapper, dancer, vocalist

Within SECRET NUMBER, Jinny was positioned as the group's main rapper, lead dancer, and lead vocalist, allowing her to showcase her versatile skills. Her previous training at YG Entertainment, known for its strong hip-hop influence, had clearly prepared her well for these responsibilities.

Moreover, Jinny contributed directly to the group's creative output. For the debut single "Who Dis?", she wrote her own rap verses, including the confident declaration "I'm gonna be a star". This demonstrated not only her performance abilities but also her songwriting talents, which she had been developing throughout her training years.

As SECRET NUMBER continued to gain momentum, Jinny's multilingual abilities and years of training helped establish her as one of the group's standout members, particularly for international fans.

Growth and Contributions in SECRET NUMBER

Throughout her years with SECRET NUMBER, Jinny Park established herself as a key member whose contributions extended far beyond performing. After their successful debut, the group continued to build momentum with regular comebacks that showcased their evolving sound.

Notable comebacks and songs

Following their debut with "Who Dis?", SECRET NUMBER quickly returned with their second single album "Got That Boom" in November 2020. The track blended EDM, house, and hip hop elements into an addictive dance pop song. This release further cemented the group's promising start in the industry.

Throughout their active years, SECRET NUMBER consistently expanded their discography with multiple single albums including "Fire Saturday" (October 2021), "Doomchita" (June 2022), "Tap" (November 2022), "Doxa" (May 2023), and "Starlight" (August 2023). They simultaneously ventured into the Japanese market with the digital single "Like It Like It" released in March 2023.

Writing credits and creative input

Significantly, Jinny demonstrated her artistic abilities by actively participating in the group's creative process. From the beginning of her time with SECRET NUMBER, she contributed lyrics for multiple songs. Her first writing credit came with the group's second release "Got That Boom".

As the group progressed, Jinny's songwriting contributions expanded to include "Dangerous In Love" from their "Fire Saturday" album, "Hola" from "Doomchita", tracks from "Tap", and "Doxa (독사)". In fact, she explicitly stated: "I've been able to contribute in writing songs for Secret Number ever since debut, and I hope to continue to".

Fanbase and public image

SECRET NUMBER garnered substantial attention despite coming from a smaller entertainment company. Their comebacks consistently attracted impressive viewership, with fans noting they were "getting way more views than most other groups promoting". This growing popularity helped them build a dedicated fanbase known as LOCKEY.

The group's commercial success earned them recognition at major Korean music award shows, including the Asia Artist Awards, APAN Music Awards, and Asian Pop Music Awards. Most impressively, Billboard Korea named SECRET NUMBER as one of the Rookie K-pop Groups of 2020.

In the midst of lineup changes and company challenges, Jinny remained a steadfast presence in the group until April 2025, when her contract with Vine Entertainment finally expired. By that point, her five years with SECRET NUMBER had established her as a multifaceted artist ready for the next chapter in her career.

Departure from SECRET NUMBER

April 2025 marked a pivotal moment for SECRET NUMBER when multiple members, including Jinny Park, simultaneously announced their departure from the group. This unexpected development drastically changed the trajectory of both the group and Jinny's individual career path.

Contract expiration and official statement

On April 4, 2025, just one day after Vine Entertainment announced Léa had left SECRET NUMBER following her contract expiration, Jinny Park joined fellow members Dita and Minji in releasing a joint statement announcing their departure from the agency. Their statement explicitly noted that their "official activities as SECRET NUMBER have now come to an end". The trio explained that despite numerous discussions with management, they "ultimately came to a conclusion that under the current situation, it would be extremely difficult for us to move forward".

The timing of these announcements surprised many industry observers, as four members exited within a 48-hour period. According to their joint statement, the agency "decided not to maintain the contracts any further," resulting in the official termination of their agreements with Vine Entertainment. Jinny specifically confirmed her departure via her personal Instagram account.

Reactions from fans and media

The mass exodus of members created an immediate wave of concern among fans. Many expressed shock and sadness across social media platforms, with some describing the situation as "devastating" given the hard work the members had invested in their careers. The sudden departure of four members within such a compressed timeframe generated substantial media coverage questioning the future viability of the group.

Music industry publications quickly reported on the departures, with several outlets noting that SECRET NUMBER's future appeared uncertain after losing the majority of its lineup. Their last release as a complete group had been the "Starlight" single album in August 2023, making it their final work with Jinny.

What it meant for her career

The termination of her contract with Vine Entertainment concluded Jinny's five-year journey with SECRET NUMBER, which had been her first and only official group since debuting in 2020. In their parting statement, Jinny along with Dita and Minji reassured fans that this represented "a new beginning rather than an end," as each intended to continue their careers independently.

Primarily, this separation freed Jinny to pursue new opportunities after half a decade with the same company. Despite the emotional weight of leaving her group, this transition opened doors for her to potentially showcase more of her songwriting abilities and multilingual talents outside the constraints of her previous contract. The departure essentially reset Jinny's career trajectory, setting the stage for her subsequent solo endeavors.

Solo Debut Under Betty Music

Following her departure from Vine Entertainment in April 2025, Jinny Park quickly rebounded with an exciting announcement that would usher in the next phase of her career.

Signing with Betty Music

By August 2025, Jinny had secured a new home for her artistic ambitions with Betty Music, an entertainment company based in the United States that was newly entering the K-pop industry. On August 1, the company officially announced that Jinny would be making her solo debut under their management. This partnership represented Betty Music's first foray into the K-pop market, with Jinny as their inaugural artist.

Mini album 'Towards the Light'

Jinny's debut mini-album, aptly titled Towards the Light, was released on September 8, 2025. The project showcased her remarkable range as an artist, spanning multiple genres including high-energy rock-electro fusion, tender ballads, and groove-driven R&B. This diversity highlighted her ability to seamlessly transition between rapping and singing, skills she had honed throughout her career.

The mini-album consisted of four tracks: the title song "Everglow," along with "LIGHTS," "BABY BABY," and "HIGHER". Notably, Jinny contributed directly to the songwriting and composition process, infusing her personal vision, emotions, and experiences into each track. This creative involvement demonstrated her growth as a singer-songwriter and allowed her to express her artistic voice more fully.

Title track 'Everglow' and its concept

Prior to the full album release, Jinny pre-released "Everglow" as the title track on August 23, 2025. The song embraced a pop-rock genre with an upbeat, energetic vibe that perfectly captured the essence of new beginnings. As Jinny herself explained, "I really enjoy the pop-rock genre, and I felt that it was the perfect song to make connections to the hopeful messages I wanted to deliver".

The track presented significant vocal challenges for Jinny, requiring her to employ various techniques including transitions between lower and higher notes, vocal runs, and switches between falsetto and full voice. This pushed her beyond her comfort zone as someone previously more focused on rapping.

Through Towards the Light, Jinny aimed to convey a message of self-confidence and courage, encouraging listeners to persistently move forward toward a brighter future. The music video for "Everglow" visually supported this theme with soft yet alluring colors that complemented the song's atmosphere.

Jinny Today: Style, Influence, and Future

First and foremost, Jinny Park stands as a multifaceted artist whose identity extends far beyond her group experiences. Her journey from trainee to established solo performer reveals a distinctive artistic vision shaped by years of industry immersion.

Her musical style and inspirations

Jinny's artistic identity centers around her specialties in rapping, songwriting, and music composition. Her versatility allows her to seamlessly blend these elements into a cohesive sound that distinguishes her in the competitive K-pop landscape.

Throughout her development, Jinny has drawn significant inspiration from iconic K-pop groups. She has been an ardent fan of BIGBANG and 2NE1 since middle school, frequently covering their songs during talent shows. This early admiration clearly influenced her performance style and musical direction. Correspondingly, her role model since adolescence has been CL, whose boundary-pushing approach to music and performance has evidently shaped Jinny's own artistic sensibilities.

Social media presence and fan interaction

Currently, Jinny maintains an active digital footprint across multiple platforms. In 2025, she established official YouTube and TikTok accounts under the username "jinny_music_official", creating dedicated spaces to connect with supporters. This expansion of her social media presence demonstrates her commitment to building direct relationships with fans outside traditional entertainment structures.

Fans who have interacted with Jinny describe her as "the sweetest girl", highlighting the authentic connections she fosters. Her accessibility through these platforms allows followers to engage with her artistic journey in real-time.

What's next for Jinny Park

Beyond her debut mini-album "Towards the Light," Jinny appears poised for continued artistic exploration. The songs she contributed to SECRET NUMBER's discography were fan favorites, suggesting her songwriting will remain central to her solo identity.

Alongside her musical endeavors, Jinny's trilingual abilities in Korean, English, and Mandarin position her uniquely for global opportunities. Given her established presence across multiple markets, Jinny's future likely includes continued expansion of her international reach as she defines her voice as a solo artist.