SOMI

SOMI (소미) is a Korean-Canadian artist under The Black Label. She was a member of the Produce 101 project group I.O.I.
Profile
- Stage Name: SOMI (소미)
- Birth Name: Ennik Somi Douma
- Korean Name: Jeon Somi (전소미)
- Birthdate: March 9, 2001
- Birthplace: Canada
- Blood Type: O
- Height: 168cm
- Weight: 48kg
- Hobbies: Collecting socks, looking for good songs, searching for restaurants
- Specialties: Taekwondo, caricatures, cooking
- Family: Dutch-Canadian father (Matthew Douma), Korean mother (Jeon Sun Hee), younger sister (Evelyn Douma)
- Education:
- Cheongdam Middle School (Graduated)
- Hanlim Multi Art School (Practical Music & Vocal Major) (Graduated)
- Groups:
- I.O.I (2016–2017)
- UNNIES (2017)
- Girls Next Door (2017)
Information

Early Years
Somi was born in Canada to Dutch-Canadian father, Matthew Douma, and Korean mother, Jeon Sun Hee, granting her triple citizenship. She also has a sister named Evelyn who is eight years younger than her. Her family moved to South Korea when she was one year old. Because she was of mixed decent, Somi was often bullied in school and hated the way she looked.
Both Somi and her father are skilled in Taekwondo. She has her third-degree black belt but could not gain the fourth-degree like her father due to her age. In 2013, she appeared on the Children's Day Special of KBS2's Let's Go! Dream Team II as part of a Taekwondo demonstration team from Midong Elementary School. In August 2014, she, her mother and her grandmother had a short appearance on episode 187 of Hello Counselor. She also had a cameo role in 2014 film Gukjesijang along with her father and sister.
Trainee Years, I.O.I
Somi auditioned twice for JYP Entertainment before being accepted into the company. The song she used for her audition was 2NE1's "Lonely". She has stated that 2NE1 is the reason she wanted to become a singer and that "Lonely" is her life's song. While still a trainee she appeared in GOT7's "Haji Hajima" music video with other female trainees.
In May 2015, JYP Entertainment held a girl group survival show called Sixteen where trainees were pitted against each other to form the company's new girl group, TWICE. Somi made it to the final round, but was ultimately eliminated due to her lack of dance skills.
In January 2016, Somi joined another girl group survival show, Mnet's Produce 101. She was the only trainee from her company to participate. Out of 101 female trainees, Somi ranked #1 on the final episode with 858,333 votes. Her #1 rank earned her the center position of the show's project group I.O.I. She promoted with the group from their debut on May 4, 2016 until their disbandment in January 2017.
On October 7, Somi was selected as the new host for SBS' The Show along with UP10TION's Wooshin.

2017: Solo Activities
On January 9, 2017, it was confirmed that Somi signed a formal contract with JYP Entertainment to start solo activities. On the 17th it was announced that she would join the second season of variety show Unnie's Slam Dunk as the youngest member. Two days later, she co-hosted the 26th Seoul Music Awards along with Super Junior's Heechul and singer-entertainer Tak Jaehoon.
After the official disbandment of I.O.I, JYP Entertainment launched Somi's website and fan community. She also launched her official Instagram account during the filming of Unnie's Slam Dunk.
On March 9, Somi and singer-songwriter Eric Nam dropped a collaboration track titled "YOU, WHO?".
On April 9, it was announced that Somi would participate in the upcoming variety show Idol Drama Operation Team that would begin airing in May. On the 21st, Somi took part of the Immortal Songs' broadcast alongside her Unnie's Slam Dunk members. On the 25th, SBS announced that both Somi and Wooshin would be departing their positions as host for The Show. The broadcast that day would be their last. That same day FuseTV named Somi as one of the "Biggest Teen Musicians of 2017". She was the only K-Pop solo act to make the list.
Leaving JYP & Solo Debut
On August 20, 2018, it was announced that Somi and JYP Entertainment agreed to cancel her exclusive contract with the company. A month later it was revealed she signed an exclusive contract with YG Entertainment sub-label The Black Label.
On February 25, 2019, The Black Label announced Somi was preparing to make her debut as a solo artist with a lead single produced by Teddy. Her debut single "BIRTHDAY" was released on June 13th, along with its accompanying music video. She made her first music show appearance as a solo artist on MBC's Show! Music Core on June 15th, performing both "BIRTHDAY" and its B-side "Eojil Eojil (Outta My Head)".
In 2019, Somi was confirmed as part of the cast for Law of the Jungle in Chuuk. In 2020, MBC announced that Somi would be joining Lose If You're Envious as an MC.
On March 28, 2020, Somi's reality series, I Am Somi, was released on The Black Label's YouTube channel showing a daily v-log series of a 20 year old idol. On the sixth episode on May 2nd, Jeon revealed that her comeback was delayed and the series was cut short because of travelling restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic. On July 14th, it was confirmed that Somi would be making her comeback on July 22nd with the new single "What You Waiting For". On July 20th, in conjunction with the release of her new single, Somi signed with Interscope Records, in a partnership with The Black Label; she will be represented alongside Universal Music Group for promotions outside of Asia. On August 6, 2020, Somi took her first music show trophy with "What You Waiting For" on Mnet's M Countdown.
On May 4, 2021, Somi and the members of I.O.I celebrated their 5th debut anniversary with a reunion live stream show called "Yes, I love it!". On July 23rd, it was confirmed that Somi would make her comeback on August 2nd with new single "DUMB DUMB".
Discography
Albums
- [2021.10.29] XOXO
Digital Singles
- [2016.08.29] Kkoc, Baram Geurigo Neo (꽃, 바람 그리고 너; Flower, Wind, and You) (Ki Hui Hyeon, Jeon So Mi, Choi Yoo Jung, Kim Chung Ha)
- [2017.03.09] YOU, WHO? (유후) (Eric Nam X Somi)
- [2019.06.13] BIRTHDAY
- [2020.07.22] What You Waiting For
- [2021.08.02] DUMB DUMB
Compilations/Other
- [2017.05.12] UNNIES - Eonnideurui Slam Dunk Season 2
Filmography
Movies
Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
RR | Hangul | |||
2014 | Gukjesijang | 독고 리와인드 | Yoon Maksoon's eldest daughter | Cameo |
Television
Year | Title | Network | Role | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
RR | Hangul | ||||
2013 | Chulbal Dream Team Season 2 | 출발 드림팀 시즌2 | KBS2 | Guest | As part of Midong Elementary School's Taekwondo demonstration team |
2014 | Annyeonghaseyo | 안녕하세요 | Guest | Ep. 187 – with her mother & grandmother | |
2015 | Sixteen | 식스틴 | Mnet | Contestant | Survival show that determined TWICE members Finished in 11th place |
2016 | Produce 101 | 프로듀스 101 | Contestant | Survival show that determined I.O.I members Finished in 1st place | |
Annyeong Urimal 9hoe Star Tansaeng | 안녕 우리말 9회 스타 탄생 | KBS1 | Guest | Ep. 13 with Sejeong, Chungha, & Nayoung | |
Comedy Big League | 코미디빅리그 | tvN | Guest | Ep. 168 – as part of I.O.I | |
Battle Trip | 배틀 트립 | KBS | Traveler | Ep. 11-12 – with Zhou Jieqiong | |
Happy Together | 해피투게더 | KBS2 | Guest | Ep. 451 – with her dad | |
Ep. 453 – with Yoojung, Nayoung, & Chaeyeon | |||||
Jal Meoggessseubnida | 잘 먹겠습니다 | JTBC | Guest | Ep. 5 | |
M! Countdown | 엠카운트다운 | Mnet | Guest Host | 2016.09.01 | |
Hello Friend Chingu Chuga | 헬로 프렌즈 친구 추가 | KBS2 | Guest | Special 1 episode show for Chuseok with Chungha, Yoojung, & Sohye | |
The Learning Show | with Chungha, Sejeong. & Mina | ||||
Annyeonghaseyo | 안녕하세요 | KBS2 | Guest | Ep. 300 | |
2016–2017 | The Show | 더 쇼 | SBS MTV | Host | October 11, 2016 – April 25, 2017 |
2017 | Golden Tambourine | 골든 탬버린 | Mnet | Guest | Ep. 6 |
26th Seoul Music Awards | 26th 서울가요대상 | KBS N | Host | with Heechul & Tak Jaehoon | |
Eonnideurui Slam Dunk | 언니들의 슬램덩크 | KBS2 | Main Cast | ||
Idol Drama Operation Team | 아이돌 드라마 공작단 | KBS | Main Cast | ||
Neoui Moksoriga Boyeo | 너의 목소리가 보여 | Mnet | Detective | Season 4, Ep. 4-5 | |
2018 | Produce 48 | 프로듀스 48 | Host | Ep. 1 – with Kang Daniel Ep. 5 – with Chungha | |
Music Bank World Tour: Berlin | KBS2 | Host | with Park Bogum | ||
2019 | Niga Aldeon Naega Anya | 니가 알던 내가 아냐 | Mnet | Protagonist | Season 2, Ep. 1 |
Law of the Jungle in Chuuk | 정글의 법칙 | SBS | Cast member | Ep. 393–397 | |
2020 | Bureoumyeon Jineungeoda | 부러우면 지는거다 | MBC | Main Cast | |
Unite ON: Live Concert | V Live | Host | with Choi Bomin | ||
I Am Somi | 아이 엠 소미 | YouTube | Herself | Reality documentary series | |
2021 | Inkigayo | 인기가요 | SBS | Host | September 5, 2021; subbing for Ahn Yujin |
SBS 2021 Super Concert In Daegu | SBS 슈퍼콘서트 in 대구 | October 31, 2021; with YooA and Yunho |
Music Videos
Year | Artist | Song | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
RR | Hangul | |||
2014 | GOT7 | Haji Hajima | 하지하지마 | |
2016 | UP10TION | Hayahge Bultaewosseo | 하얗게 불태웠어 |
Endorsements
- [2016] CJ CheilJedang Alaska Salmon
- [2016] CJ CheilJedang Spam
- [2016] SK Telecom
- [2019] Fanta (with Dae Hwi)
Awards
- [2017] Korea First Brand Awards: CF Model
- [2020] Mubeat Awards: Best Female Solo
- [2022.01.08] 36th Golden Disc Awards: Best Performance
TV Music Shows
- [2020.08.06] Mnet M! Countdown #1
- [2021.08.12] Mnet M! Countdown #1
Trivia
- She was a trainee for two years prior to her appearance on Produce 101.
External Links
- Official Fan Cafe
- Official Twitter
- Official Facebook
- Official Instagram
- Official YouTube
- Official TikTok
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