Lee Young-ji: From Rap Competition Winner to Korean Hip-Hop Star | ChatZyr
By Editorial Desk | Team Chatzyr
South Korean rapper Lee Young-ji has built a career that extends far beyond competitive rap, becoming a prominent name in Korean hip-hop, television and digital entertainment while also using her platform to support charitable causes.
Born on September 10, 2002, in Seoul, Lee Young-ji first rose to national attention after winning Mnet's High School Rapper 3. She later became the winner of Show Me the Money 11, strengthening her position as one of the most prominent young rappers in South Korea.
From teenage rapper to national star
Lee Young-ji made her breakthrough in 2019 when she won High School Rapper 3. Her victory made her the show's first female winner and helped establish her as a rising figure in Korean hip-hop.
She went on to win Show Me the Money 11, becoming the first female winner of the long-running rap competition.
Her music catalogue includes tracks such as “NOT SORRY,” “Day & Night,” “WITCH” and “SMOKE”, helping her reach audiences beyond the competitive rap scene.
Building a career beyond music
Lee Young-ji's popularity expanded through television and online entertainment.
She became the host of the web talk show Not Much Prepared, where her spontaneous humour and candid personality helped make the programme a popular part of her public image.
She has also appeared on Korean entertainment programmes, including Earth Arcade, further establishing herself as an entertainer as well as a recording artist.
16 Fantasy marks her debut EP
On June 21, 2024, Lee Young-ji released her first extended play, 16 Fantasy.
The project included “Small Girl” featuring D.O., one of her most widely recognised songs. The release showed her ability to move between hip-hop, pop and R&B influences while maintaining her identity as a rapper.
The EP marked an important step in her development from competition performer to a recording artist with a broader musical identity.
New music and international ambitions
Lee Young-ji continued expanding her music career in 2026 with the release of “ROBOT” on February 28.
The song later became part of a new international partnership between Warner Music Group and MAINSTREAM, Lee Young-ji's management agency. Announced in March 2026, the partnership was described as a collaboration aimed at expanding the reach of Korean artists and music internationally. Warner Music Group identified “ROBOT” as the first co-production release from the partnership.
The development reflects the growing international interest in Korean hip-hop and artists who operate across multiple areas of entertainment.
Philanthropy becomes another part of her story
Lee Young-ji has also used her public platform to support charitable causes.
In August 2022, she donated ₩10 million to help people affected by flooding in South Korea.
In March 2025, she donated ₩100 million through the Korean Red Cross toward recovery efforts following wildfires in Ulsan, Gyeongbuk and Gyeongnam.
Her charitable work continued in February 2026, when she participated in the game project Cops and Robbers alongside fans and the game's team.
The project raised funds for children's medical care, with reports saying ₩258 million was raised through the initiative and Lee contributed additional funds, bringing the overall donation to approximately ₩300 million. The money was directed to Seoul Children's Hospital, Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital and the Korea Childhood Leukemia Foundation.
More than a Korean rapper
Lee Young-ji's career illustrates how South Korea's newer generation of artists can move between music, television, online entertainment, brand partnerships and philanthropy.
Her victories on major rap programmes gave her a foundation in Korean hip-hop, while her personality and versatility helped her reach audiences far beyond the genre.
With new music and international industry partnerships adding another dimension to her career, Lee Young-ji is continuing to build a profile that extends well beyond the competition shows where she first became known.
Why it matters: Lee Young-ji represents a new generation of Korean artists breaking traditional boundaries between hip-hop, mainstream entertainment and digital culture, while using her growing platform to support charitable causes.
Disclaimer: This report is based on information obtained from credible and publicly available sources at the time of publication. Details may evolve as further official confirmations and investigations emerge.
Published on Chatzyr.net
Written By Editorial Desk | Team ChatZyr
