When NMIXX made its return with Blue Valentinefew expected the group to so completely disrupt Korea’s competitive digital charts. The song not only dethroned HUNTR/X’s long-running hit Golden, but also positioned experimental girl group JYP for their first Perfect All-Kill (PAK).
While the song’s success brought new attention to all the members, the name dominating social media wasn’t Sullyoon or Haewon, it was Jiwoo, who unexpectedly became the talk of the town thanks to two candid airport photos that have now gone viral around the world.
On October 30, Jiwoo was photographed arriving at the airport with her members for an overseas program. In just moments, two unfiltered snaps captured her ethereal, round eyes, soft pink lips and porcelain skin, earning her millions of views and overwhelming praise online.
“She looks like a living doll” fans commented, sharing his photos on X (formerly Twitter), where the post exceeded 3 million views and over 800 million reads on Weibo in less than 48 hours.
Chinese media Sohu went so far as to call Jiwoo “K-pop’s new beauty standard,” praising her natural yet graceful charm.
What made Jiwoo’s look stand out even more was her refreshing 2000s-inspired style: light, feminine, and nostalgic rather than overly trendy or revealing. Her soft wavy hair, center part with two small braided strands, and natural makeup palette were reminiscent of early 2000s icons like Song Hye-kyo in Sold out or Yoona (Girls’ Generation) in her debut days.
“It’s bringing back the innocent side of Y2K fashion, not just the flashy side,” wrote a leading Korean fashion blogger.
Her subtle, elegant images have since been hailed as a new kind of idol beauty: accessible, timeless and effortlessly charming.
Jiwoo’s current success seems especially significant given his journey. When he debuted in 2022 with TO THE SEA and the title track OOhas faced harsh online criticism over her fuller figure, an issue that has unfairly overshadowed her talent.
Over the course of three years, Jiwoo underwent a remarkable transformation through healthy weight management and tough training, gradually earning admiration for her confidence and evolving image. Fans now celebrate her as an inspiration for resilience and self-improvement.
“Jiwoo didn’t change who he was: he just learned to shine brighter,” read a viral comment on Weibo.
Born on April 13, 2005, Jiwoo (real name Kim Ji-woo) hails from Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, and joined JYP Entertainment in 2018 after passing a competitive audition. She was known among the trainees for her exceptional dance skills and stage awareness, often cited as the fastest student in choreography.
Jiwoo shared that her performance style draws inspiration from Sunmi and Momo (TWICE), fusing strong stage energy with refined elegance.
Since debut, Jiwoo has become NMIXX’s primary dancer and expressive performer, demonstrating exceptional versatility in songs such as Love me like this, Dashand current success Blue Valentine.
Her facial control, on-camera charisma, and renewed visual confidence have led fans and critics to call her “JYP’s next fourth generation ace.”
The overwhelming response to Jiwoo’s recent photos proves that sometimes, a single heartfelt moment can change everything. What started as casual airport photos has evolved into a cultural moment, with Korean and Chinese netizens agreeing: “Jiwoo is not just beautiful: she represents the next evolution of K-pop imagery.”
Sources: K14, Sohu
