Jessi

Early Life

Jessi, born Jessica Hyunju Ho in New York City, spent her formative years in New Jersey before moving to Seoul, South Korea, at the age of 15. She attended Korea Kent Foreign School, where she crossed paths with future K-pop stars Tiffany Young and Jessica Jung. Although she successfully auditioned for SM Entertainment, she opted not to join, feeling that the label's musical direction did not align with her artistic vision. Jessi faced challenges adapting to Korean culture and experienced financial struggles early in her career, even resorting to sleeping in saunas at times.

Career

Jessi made her musical debut in 2005 with the single album "Get Up". In 2006, she joined the hip-hop group Uptown, replacing original vocalist Yoon Mi-rae. After a brief hiatus, she returned to the music scene in 2014 as part of the hip-hop trio Lucky J, which debuted under YMC Entertainment. Jessi gained significant recognition after participating in the reality show "Unpretty Rapstar" in 2015, where she finished as the runner-up. This exposure led to collaborations with prominent artists and the release of her first solo rap single, "Ssenunni". In 2019, she signed with Psy's P Nation, becoming the label's first artist, and continued to release successful singles, including the chart-topping "Don't Touch Me" as part of the Refund Sisters.

Personal Life

Throughout her career, Jessi has remained open about her struggles and triumphs, often sharing her journey with fans. Her resilience and authenticity have endeared her to many, making her a prominent figure in the South Korean music industry. Despite the challenges she faced, Jessi has carved out a successful career, blending her American roots with Korean hip-hop and K-pop influences, and continues to inspire aspiring artists around the world.