Who Is Danielle Marsh? The Untold Story of NewJeans' Rising Star

Danielle Marsh co-wrote the chart-topping single "Attention" that reached number one on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart and won Best K-pop Song at the 20th Korean Music Awards. At just 19 years old, the Australian-born star has become an integral member of NewJeans, the fastest K-pop act ever to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify.

Born on April 11, 2005, in Newcastle, Australia, Danielle's journey to K-pop stardom is as fascinating as her rapid rise to fame. Despite training for only two years before her debut, she has secured global ambassador roles with luxury brands including Burberry, Yves Saint Laurent Beauty, and Celine. Additionally, her family played a significant role in her career development, moving to South Korea when she was around three years old before returning to Australia in 2012.

NewJeans' Danielle - from her early appearances on Korean children's programs at age six to her recent voice acting role as Ariel in the Korean dub of "The Little Mermaid." Remarkably, Danielle has already participated in songwriting for five NewJeans songs, showcasing her growing talents beyond performing and solidifying her position as one of K-pop's most promising young artists.

Early Life in Australia and Korea

Danielle Marsh age and birthplace

The story of Danielle Marsh begins in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, where she was born on April 11, 2005. Known by her Korean name Mo Ji-hye (모지혜), Danielle embodies the cultural fusion that would later become central to her identity as an artist. Unlike many K-pop idols who spend their entire youth in training, Danielle's formative years unfolded across two continents, shaping her unique perspective and talents.

Danielle Marsh parents and family background

Danielle's multicultural heritage stems from her mixed parentage – born to an Australian father, Andrew Marsh, and a South Korean mother, Mo Ji-won. This blending of cultures within her family created a natural foundation for her later career in an industry that increasingly bridges Eastern and Western entertainment worlds.

Furthermore, creativity runs in the family bloodline. Danielle has an older sister named Olivia Marsh, who was born in 2000, making her five years Danielle's senior. Interestingly, Olivia has also pursued a musical career, making her debut as a singer in 2024. The sisters share not only their mixed heritage but also their passion for performing arts.

While still very young, Danielle's life took a significant turn. When she was approximately three years old in 2008, her family relocated to Paju, South Korea. This early exposure to both Australian and Korean cultures would prove instrumental in her development, giving her firsthand experience in navigating between different cultural contexts.

Dual nationality and cultural identity

Throughout her childhood, Danielle cultivated a truly binational identity. She holds dual citizenship in both Australia and South Korea, allowing her to fully embrace both sides of her heritage. During her time in South Korea, she attended Munsan Elementary School, immersing herself in Korean education and social environments.

Notably, Danielle belongs to the Hampyeong Mo clan, which carries significance in Korean culture. With only around 20,000 people sharing this surname in Korea, it represents a distinct part of her heritage. Her linguistic abilities reflect her dual cultural upbringing – she speaks both Korean and English with an Australian accent.

The family returned to Australia in 2012 when Danielle was about seven years old. She subsequently continued her education in Australia during her elementary and middle school years, developing her talents and interests within the Australian educational system. This period allowed her to strengthen her connections to her father's cultural heritage while maintaining the Korean influences from her mother and earlier childhood.

Danielle's early experiences moving between two countries and cultures provided her with unique advantages:

Adaptability to different cultural environments
Natural bilingual abilities
Understanding of both Eastern and Western artistic sensibilities
Comfort with multicultural settings
Early exposure to different performance traditions

These foundational experiences prepared Danielle for her eventual return to South Korea as a teenager to pursue her K-pop aspirations. By then, she had developed a rich cultural identity that transcended geographical boundaries – a quality that would later help her connect with global audiences through her performances with NewJeans.

First Steps into Entertainment

TV appearances in Korea as Mo Ji-hye

Long before becoming a global K-pop sensation, Danielle Marsh took her first steps into the entertainment world as a young child in South Korea. Using her Korean name Mo Ji-hye, she made her television debut at just six years old on tvN's Rainbow Kindergarten in 2011. This appearance marked the beginning of a brief but notable career as a child performer in Korean media.

Throughout 2011-2012, Danielle accumulated an impressive roster of television appearances for someone so young. She showcased her natural charm on SBS's My Heart's Crayon, followed by appearances on popular programs like Shinhwa Broadcasting and EBS's Jesse's Play Kitchen in 2012. Moreover, her television portfolio expanded to include shows such as Hello Yoga Kids in 2011, The tvN's Real Kids Story Rainbow, and reportedly even appearances on Kiss and Popopo.

These early experiences provided Danielle with valuable exposure to entertainment production environments, camera presence, and public performance—skills that would later prove beneficial in her K-pop career. Interestingly, many Korean fans later recognized her from these childhood programs when she debuted with NewJeans, creating a nostalgic connection with her audience.

Modeling and early public exposure

Concurrently with her television work, Danielle established herself as a child model beginning in 2010. Her modeling career lasted approximately one year and eight months, starting when she was just five years old. During this period, she appeared in numerous advertisements and photoshoots, building a small but dedicated following.

What makes Danielle's early career particularly unique is that she had already developed a fan base as a child performer. In fact, she had her own official fan café and Twitter account during this period, unusual for someone so young in the entertainment industry. Some dedicated fans have claimed they never missed an episode of her shows, considering her their favorite cast member.

Beyond her on-screen appearances, Danielle invested in developing her artistic abilities from an early age. While in Korea, she attended various ballet and acting academies, laying important foundations for her future as a performer. These early training experiences complemented her natural talents and helped shape her approach to performance.

Despite her promising start in Korean entertainment, Danielle's initial career came to a pause in 2012 when, at age seven, her family returned to Australia. This marked the end of her television appearances as Mo Ji-hye, though certainly not the end of her entertainment journey. Upon returning to Australia, she would continue developing her talents in a different cultural context before eventually making her way back to the Korean entertainment industry years later.

This early exposure to fame and public attention, though brief, provided Danielle with insights into the entertainment industry that most trainees never experience before their debuts. Her childhood experiences in front of cameras and audiences undoubtedly contributed to the poise and confidence she would later display as a member of NewJeans.

Return to Australia and Artistic Growth

In 2012, at the age of seven, Danielle Marsh bid farewell to her budding career in Korean entertainment as she returned to her birth country of Australia. This significant transition marked the beginning of a new chapter in her artistic development, away from television cameras yet still deeply immersed in performance arts.

Schooling and musical theater

Upon her arrival in Australia, Danielle initially attended Valentine Public School after transferring from Munsan Elementary School in South Korea. However, educational records indicate that she eventually dropped out of Valentine Public School, although the precise reasons remain undocumented in public sources.

Rather than conventional academics, Danielle's true passion manifested through performing arts. According to former classmates, she enthusiastically participated in numerous school productions, revealing an early affinity for musical theater. Indeed, this period proved formative for developing her performance skills away from the commercial spotlight she had experienced in Korea.

Her Australian years fostered a deep connection to her homeland's natural beauty. In interviews, Danielle has expressed profound nostalgia for specific aspects of Australian life: "I deeply miss Australian wildlife because I'm such an outdoorsy nature lover. Every morning I'd wake up to birds chirping just outside my window and the scent of wattle and eucalyptus rushing in with the breeze".

The coastal environment similarly shaped her identity: "I miss the beaches! The fluffy sand and the huge crashing waves. We lived very close to the beach and just a walk away from our house was one of the biggest saltwater lakes in Australia".

Participation in Matilda and singing competitions

A significant milestone in Danielle's artistic journey occurred in 2016 when, as a fifth-grade student, she secured a role in the Australian production of the acclaimed musical "Matilda". This opportunity allowed her to further develop her performance skills in a professional theatrical environment, building upon her earlier television experience in Korea.

Beyond theater, Danielle continued expanding her musical repertoire through competitive singing. In 2018, she achieved notable recognition at the Young Artist Festival in Sydney, where her rendition of Delta Goodrem's "Sitting On Top of the World" earned her the coveted Audience Award. This accomplishment highlighted her growing vocal abilities and stage presence.

Throughout this period, her dual cultural identity remained a central aspect of her life. As she would later reflect: "Korea has always felt like home to me. Although leaving Australia behind was extremely hard, and I miss my family and hometown, I would've felt the same about Korea if I wasn't living here now".

Family connections remained paramount during these formative years: "I guess I miss my family the most though, the whole family getting together at the dinner table laughing and sharing silly stories. I'm so grateful for my childhood in Australia".

Her Australian upbringing, alongside her earlier Korean experiences, created a uniquely international perspective that would eventually serve her well when returning to the K-pop industry. This period of artistic growth in Australia—through formal theatrical training, competitive performance, and connection to natural environments—laid crucial foundations for her later success with NewJeans.

The Road to Becoming a K-pop Trainee

Danielle Marsh's journey into the competitive world of K-pop began taking shape after her participation in Sydney's Young Artist Festival in December 2018. At just 13 years old, her performance of Delta Goodrem's "Sitting On Top Of The World" earned her the Popularity Award through audience voting, foreshadowing the public appeal she would later develop as an idol.

Auditioning with 'Best Part'

The pivotal moment in Danielle's transition from aspiring singer to K-pop trainee came when she chose Daniel Caesar's soulful R&B track "Best Part" for her audition. Multiple sources confirm this was her audition song, showcasing her vocal prowess and stylistic range. Her performance clearly impressed industry professionals, as it ultimately opened doors to training opportunities at some of South Korea's most prestigious entertainment companies.

After years of developing her talents in Australia through musical theater and singing competitions, Danielle made the significant decision to return to South Korea to pursue her K-pop aspirations. This choice represented not just a career move but a reconnection with her Korean heritage and earlier childhood experiences in the country.

Training at YG Entertainment and Def Dance Academy

Upon returning to Korea during her middle school years, Danielle initially began training at YG Entertainment, one of the industry's "Big 3" companies known for producing global stars like BLACKPINK and BIGBANG. This early training period provided foundational experience in the rigorous K-pop training system, though she would eventually leave YG to explore other opportunities.

Following her departure from YG Entertainment, Danielle briefly attended Def Dance Academy in Seoul, where she focused on honing her dance skills and vocal techniques. This specialized training complemented her previous performance experience, helping refine her abilities in preparation for future opportunities. As she later reflected: "When I was independent, I learned to dance by attending Dance School Def Dance School in Seoul for a while."

Joining Source Music and ADOR

Danielle's career took a decisive turn when she passed the Source Music audition in July 2020, at age 15. This marked the beginning of approximately two years of intensive training before her eventual debut. The training schedule proved demanding—so much so that Danielle reportedly did not attend regular school during this period, focusing entirely on her development as an idol.

Her timing proved fortuitous, as preparations for a new girl group collaboration between HYBE and Source Music had begun as early as 2019, with Min Hee-jin serving as creative director. While some members like Hanni came from the Plus Global Auditions held between September and October 2019, Danielle joined through a separate Source Music audition process.

At the end of 2021, Danielle, along with the other future NewJeans members, transferred from Source Music to ADOR, a new subsidiary label under HYBE. This final stage of her pre-debut journey placed her in the company where she would ultimately make her breakthrough as part of NewJeans in July 2022.

Throughout her approximately two-year training period, Danielle developed not only her performance skills but also her understanding of the K-pop industry. As a former child model and TV personality in Korea, she brought unique experience to her training, perhaps contributing to her relatively short training period compared to many K-pop idols who train for several years or even a decade before debuting.

Debut with NewJeans and Breakthrough

July 22, 2022 marked a defining moment in Danielle Marsh's career as she officially debuted with NewJeans through their surprise release "Attention". The unconventional debut strategy—dropping a single without prior teasers or member information—sparked immediate curiosity among listeners.

Release of 'Attention' and debut EP

"Attention" immediately captivated audiences with its Y2K-inspired blend of R&B and pop, featuring rhythmic syncopated beats and a natural falsetto vocal style. The track's authenticity resonated with listeners, evident in its commercial performance—debuting at number two on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart before claiming the top position by its third week.

Within just nine days of release, NewJeans achieved remarkable international recognition by entering Billboard Global charts. The group's self-titled debut EP followed on August 1, 2022, with the physical version released a week later on August 8.

Pre-orders for the EP surpassed 444,000 copies in just three days, foreshadowing its tremendous success. Ultimately, the album sold over one million copies, establishing a historic milestone as the best-selling debut album by a K-pop female act in South Korea since Circle Chart's establishment in 2011.

Their rapid ascent continued throughout 2022 as NewJeans became the first Korean artist to enter US Spotify charts with a debut song, with "Attention" landing at position 183. This achievement complemented their domestic success, where they became only the third K-pop girl group to reach number one on music shows across all three major television networks (KBS, SBS, MBC) with a debut release.

Danielle's role in songwriting and creative input

Danielle's creative contributions set her apart from many rookie idols. She co-wrote the lyrics for "Attention," showcasing her artistic involvement from the very beginning. This marked the start of her songwriting journey, as she would go on to participate in writing five NewJeans songs.

In a September 2022 interview with Billboard, Danielle revealed her longstanding passion: "I've always been interested in writing lyrics and composition. Ever since I was little, I loved writing down my thoughts and feelings in a way that sounds good, which is how I tried writing lyrics for 'Attention,' too".

ADOR's executive producer Min Hee-jin actively encouraged this creative participation, as Danielle explained: "Whenever our producer Hee-jin Min prepares for an album, we would get an opportunity to write our own lyrics. She encouraged us to embrace learning and finding our talents as NewJeans".

By year's end, NewJeans had secured numerous accolades, winning rookie awards at the Melon Music Awards, Golden Disc Awards, Korean Music Awards, Seoul Music Awards, Asia Artist Awards, and The Fact Music Awards—a fitting recognition of their groundbreaking debut year.

Expanding Horizons: Voice Acting and OST Work

In May 2023, Danielle Marsh ventured beyond the traditional K-pop sphere, embracing a new creative challenge that highlighted her versatility as an artist.

Voicing Ariel in The Little Mermaid

The Walt Disney Company Korea created buzz on May 2, 2023, by releasing a cryptic poster revealing the Korean dubbing cast for their live-action remake of The Little Mermaid. While the poster explicitly named actors Jung Sanghoon and Jung Youngjoo as Sebastian and Ursula respectively, Ariel's voice actress remained a mystery—represented only by a white silhouette with the teasing caption "South Korea's Ariel is...".

Speculation ended on May 12, 2023, when Disney Korea officially announced that Danielle would voice Halle Bailey's Ariel character in the Korean-dubbed version. At just 18 years old, Danielle took on this significant voice acting challenge, simultaneously managing her NewJeans commitments.

Prior to the official announcement, eagle-eyed fans had already connected the dots after discovering a leaked dubbed teaser trailer featuring Danielle's voice. The short clip rapidly accumulated millions of views on Twitter within hours, building anticipation among both Disney and K-pop enthusiasts.

Reception of 'Part of Your World' and chart success

On May 17, 2023, Danielle's Korean version of the iconic Disney song "Part of Your World" (저곳으로) was officially released. The track made an immediate impact, debuting at number two on Billboard's Hot Trending Songs chart—a remarkable achievement for her first solo release outside NewJeans.

Consequently, Danielle recorded multiple songs for the film's soundtrack, including both the main version and two reprises of "Part of Your World". She likewise contributed the Korean version of "For The First Time", further showcasing her vocal range.

Throughout live performances, Danielle displayed impressive technical skill, specifically during a Music Bank Mexico appearance where she sustained a brilliant high note. Nevertheless, fans especially praised the emotional qualities of her interpretation.

As one Reddit user noted: "She may not be the best singer out there, but the emotions she can show from her voice alone are one of the best for the role". Another commented that "her expressions were good too, like she was telling a story".

Remarkably, some viewers even preferred Danielle's emotional delivery in the English version over Halle Bailey's official movie rendition. Her performance left such an impression that many fans expressed hope she would take on more OST work in the future, confirming this voice acting role as a successful expansion of her artistic horizons.

Global Recognition Through Brand Endorsements

Beyond her musical success, Danielle Marsh has rapidly established herself as a powerhouse in the luxury brand endorsement sphere, securing partnerships with some of the world's most prestigious fashion houses. At just 19 years old, her portfolio of global ambassadorships rivals those of seasoned celebrities twice her age.

Burberry, YSL Beauty, and Celine ambassadorships

January 2023 marked a significant milestone as Burberry announced Danielle as one of their global ambassadors. Remarkably, she became one of the first brand ambassadors appointed after Daniel Lee assumed the role of Chief Creative Officer at the British heritage label. This partnership positioned her alongside her NewJeans bandmates in the luxury fashion space, with Hanni representing Gucci and Hyein working with Louis Vuitton.

Shortly thereafter, in March 2023, Yves Saint Laurent Beauty welcomed Danielle as their global brand ambassador. Her first campaign showcased the brand's Candy Glaze lipstick, with YSL Beauty describing her as "a rising star and icon of the MZ generation". By May 2024, she was filming her second YSL Beauty campaign in Paris for their new "Ink Vinyl Tint" product.

March 2024 brought yet another prestigious partnership as Danielle became a global brand ambassador for Celine. Her first promotional campaign for the French luxury house was developed by creative director Hedi Slimane, placing her in the company of other K-pop royalty including BLACKPINK's Lisa and BTS's V.

OMEGA and other major campaigns

The crescendo of Danielle's brand endorsement portfolio came in December 2024 when Swiss luxury watchmaker OMEGA announced her as their newest brand ambassador. OMEGA President and CEO Raynald Aeschlimann expressed: "Danielle is full of energy and brightness. We're so inspired by her positivity as well as her confident sense of style".

For the OMEGA campaign, Danielle showcased the Constellation 28 mm watch in stainless steel and 18K Moonshine Gold, alongside the Speedmaster 38 mm watch. This partnership placed her in the esteemed company of global icons including Nicole Kidman and Liu Shishi.

Alongside these major luxury endorsements, Danielle has maintained partnerships with more accessible brands, serving as an ambassador for Levi's and McDonald's Korea with her NewJeans teammates.

What makes these achievements particularly noteworthy is that they occurred within just three years of her debut, demonstrating the extraordinary global appeal and influence Danielle has cultivated at such a young age.

Personality, Hobbies, and Public Image

MBTI type and spirit animal

Behind the camera flashes and stage performances, Danielle Marsh reveals her authentic self through her ENFP personality type, known as "The Campaigner." This personality type perfectly captures her vibrant energy that flows in many directions, making her NewJeans' "Vitamin D" (Vitamin Danielle). As an ENFP, she displays remarkable emotional intelligence and empathy, connecting deeply with diverse listeners. Her expressiveness is so pronounced that members note how "Danielle's eyebrows raise when she's thinking, and once she's got it, they go back down".

In January 2023, after an engaging poll with over 1,300 comments on Phoning, fans officially determined Danielle's spirit animal to be a deer. This led to the affectionate nickname "DoeDani" or "DoeDani Doe," combining her name with the English word for a female deer.

Hobbies like drawing, swimming, and music

Despite her bustling schedule, Danielle nurtures various creative outlets. Drawing and painting top her list of favorite activities, alongside listening to music, swimming, and meaningful conversations with her NewJeans members. Offstage, she explores more adventurous pursuits, including skydiving and paragliding. Her musical interests extend beyond performing, as she enjoys composing and playing guitar.

Fans admire her versatility, often referring to her as having "golden hands" due to her proficiency in drawing, makeup, and cooking. This multifaceted talent reflects her personal style—a blend of athleisure and chic accessories that mirrors her dynamic personality.

Why fans call her the 'sunflower' of NewJeans

The hashtag #Sunflower consistently appears alongside Danielle's name, acknowledging her role as the group's radiant center. This nickname stems from her consistently cheerful demeanor and the positive energy she brings to every interaction. Even during her childhood television appearances, viewers noticed her extraordinary kindness—once staying perfectly still to avoid waking a sleeping boy who had nodded off on her shoulder.

Beyond her contagious laughter and bright smile, Danielle's genuine warmth manifests in her approach to conversations, actively expressing sympathy with others' perspectives. Remarkably, according to members, instances of Danielle becoming angry are exceedingly rare, reinforcing her image as NewJeans' ever-blooming sunflower.