Jeon So-mi
Ennik Somi Douma, known by her Korean name Jeon So-mi or mononymously as Somi, is a Canadian–Dutch singer and songwriter based in South Korea, known for finishing first in Mnet's survival reality program Produce 101 and debuting in former South Korean girl group I.O.I. She made her debut as a soloist on June 13, 2019 with single "Birthday".
Early life
Jeon was born on March 9, 2001 in Ontario, Canada to a Korean mother, Jeon Sun-hee, and Dutch Canadian father, Matthew Douma. When she was one year old, her family moved to South Korea. Due to her mixed descent, Jeon was often bullied during her childhood days. Jeon is a taekwondo third-degree black belt holder but could not gain the fourth-degree like her father due to her age.Jeon graduated from Cheongdam Middle School on February 3, 2017 and Hanlim Multi Art School, majoring in Practical Music and Vocal, on February 7, 2020.
Career
Pre-debut
In 2013, she appeared on the Children's Day Special of KBS2's Let's Go! Dream Team Season 2 as one of the representatives of Midong Elementary School's Taekwondo demonstration team, where she paired with Park Joon-hyung. In August 2014, she, her mother and her grandmother appeared on the 187th episode of Hello Counselor. She also had a cameo role in the 2014 film Ode to My Father alongside her father and sister.2014–2016: ''Sixteen'', ''Produce 101'' and I.O.I
In 2014, Jeon joined JYP Entertainment after auditioning with 2NE1's "Lonely", leading her to appear in Got7's "Stop Stop It" music video with other fellow female trainees.In May 2015, Jeon participated in Mnet reality survival program Sixteen where she was pitted against 15 other trainees from JYPE to secure a spot in the label's next girl group after Miss A, later revealed to be named Twice. However, she was eliminated in the final round, thus continuing as a trainee under the label.
In January 2016, Jeon represented JYPE on reality survival program Produce 101. She finished in first place with 858,333 votes and debuted on May 4, with the project girl group I.O.I, soon after debuting with the EP Chrysalis under YMC Entertainment. On August 29, Jeon collaborated with I.O.I band-mates Choi Yoo-jung and Chungha and DIA's Ki Hui-hyeon for the digital single, "Flower, Wind and You". In October, Jeon was selected as the new host for SBS MTV's The Show along with UP10TION's Wooshin.
2017–2018: Solo activities and departure from JYPE
On January 9, 2017, it was confirmed that Jeon signed a formal contract with JYPE for solo activities regarding Television appearances. Soon after, she joined the cast of KBS2's Sister's Slam Dunk 2. Jeon's activities with I.O.I soon came to an end following disbandment on January 29, 2017. On March 9, Eric Nam and Jeon released a collaborative digital single titled "You, Who?". On May 12, Jeon debuted with Unnies, the project girl group created through Sister's Slam Dunk 2. The group released the lead singles "Right?" and "Lalala Song".On March 28, 2017 Jeon was cast in KBS' web entertainment program Idol Drama Operation Team. She played a role as a high school student named Bo-ram. Final filming for the show was held on May 9. The seven cast members formed a project girl group called Girls Next Door and released a single as part of the show's soundtrack. The song titled "Deep Blue Eyes", co-written and co-composed by B1A4's Jinyoung, was released on June 14 under Warner Music Korea. In November 2017, Jeon featured on Jun. K's digital single titled "Nov to Feb".
On August 20, 2018, JYP Entertainment released an official statement revealing that after mutual agreement, Jeon had terminated her contract, thus leaving the label. In the following month, Jeon signed an exclusive contract with YG Entertainment's subsidiary label The Black Label, also home to South Korean R&B singer Zion.T.
2019–present: Solo debut
On February 25, 2019, The Black Label announced Jeon 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 13, 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 15, performing both "Birthday" and its B-side "Outta My Head".In 2019, Jeon was confirmed as part of the cast for Law of the Jungle in Chuuk. In 2020, MBC announced that Somi will be joining Lose If You're Envious as an MC.
On March 28, 2020, Jeon'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 2, Jeon revealed that the comeback is delayed and the series is cut short from travelling restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
On July 14, it was confirmed that Jeon will make her comeback on July 22 with a new song, titled "What You Waiting For".
On July 20, in conjunction with the release of "What You Waiting For", Jeon signed with Interscope Records, in a partnership with The Black Label; she will be represented alongside Universal Music Group for promotions outside of Asia.
Other ventures
Endorsement
In July 2017, Jeon was selected for her first solo endorsement deal as a campaign model of Coca-Cola Korea beverage brand, Fanta.In January 2018, Somi participated in the Reebok Classic SS18 campaign, "Always Classic". On September 25, 2018 The Wetskills Foundation appointed Jeon as an International Wetskills Ambassador.
In February 2019, Jeon was selected as a new model for ABC Mart's shoe brand Nuovo. In March 2019, Jeon and Ong Seong-wu were selected as advertising models for lifestyle sports brand Beanpole Sports. On May 20, 2019 Jeon was chosen as the brand ambassador for cosmetics brand Shiseido Korea.
Discography
Singles
As lead artist
As featured artist
Collaborations
Other charted songs
Production credits
All song credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association's database, unless otherwise noted.| Year | Artist | Song | Album | Lyrics | Music |
| 2017 | Unnies | "Right?" | |||
| 2019 | Somi | "Birthday" | Birthday | rowspan="3" | |
| 2019 | Somi | "Outta My Head" | Birthday | rowspan="2" | - |
| 2020 | Somi | "What You Waiting For" | - | - |
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Original Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| 2014 | Ode to My Father | 국제시장 | Mak-soon Yoon's eldest daughter | Cameo |
Television shows
Hosting
Videography
Music videos
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
| 2017 | Korea First Brand Awards | CF Model | rowspan="8" | ||
| 2019 | M2 X Genie Music Awards | The Female New Artist | - | ||
| 2019 | 4th Asia Artist Awards | StarNews Popularity Award | - | ||
| 2019 | 11th Melon Music Awards | Hot Trend Award | - | ||
| 2019 | 21st Mnet Asian Music Awards | Artist of the Year | - | ||
| 2019 | 21st Mnet Asian Music Awards | Best New Female Artist | - | ||
| 2019 | 21st Mnet Asian Music Awards | Worldwide Fans' Choice Top 10 | - | ||
| 2019 | 21st Mnet Asian Music Awards | 2019 Qoo10 Favorite Female Artist | - | ||
| 2020 | 29th Seoul Music Awards | Dance Performance Award | "Birthday" |