Discover Jimin Shin from AOA – Our hottest girl group crush
AOA once stood out for its polished sound and striking visuals, but the spotlight on Shin Ji-min, known professionally as Jimin, has shifted since the group’s early years. Jimin’s path through the industry includes both the original spotlight and a measured return that many fans have tracked closely.
Jimin’s career
Jimin worked her way to the top and established herself as the leader and main rapper in the AOA lineup. A girl of many talents, Jimin knows how to play the guitar, harmonica, and piano. She’s also a main contributor to the AOA subunit, AOA Black, which was established in 2013. The star wrote the rap single “Moya” for the group. In 2015, Jimin also competed in the first season of Unpretty Rapstar, the South Korean rap competition TV show. The music star ascended the ranks, becoming a semi-finalist and ultimately placing fourth. Several signature collaboration singles by Jimin were released during the show including “Good Start” (with Seulong) and “Puss” (with Iron). No stranger to the spotlight, Jimin also appeared in the K-drama Click Your Heart in 2016. She also teamed up with Seo Yu-na to sing the OST for tvN’s A Korean Odyssey, producing “If You Were Me” in 2018.
After the 2020 events, Jimin signed with Alo Malo Entertainment in 2022. She released the EP Boxes in February 2023 with lead single “Sympathy,” followed by the single “Twinkle Little Star” in December 2023 and the track “Walking Talking” in April 2024. A new single titled “WYA,” featuring Untell, is scheduled for release on June 10, 2026.
Bullying allegations
Former AOA star Mina recently came forward with some grave allegations concerning co-member Jimin. Mina spoke up on Instagram to share the real reason she left AOA – bullying. Mina confessed that Jimin was the prime bully of the group and that she faced persistent antagonism from her for ten years during her trainee days. According to Mina, the bullying got so bad that it pushed her into a suicide attempt. Placing blame on Jimin, Mina shared some stories about the K-pop drama. After suffering from the loss of her father, Mina explained an incident saying, “[Jimin] dragged me to a changing area, and told me to stop crying. She told me that I was making the entire mood of the room go down.” “[Jimin’s] words are still vivid in my head. I could just let go of all the other things she did to me, but not this,” Mina expressed. “I even thought about taking my own life because of her.” Mina even posted a photo of scars on her wrists to give evidence.
Eventually, Mina revealed that Jimin visited her with other members and apologized to her. In Jimin’s formal apology she confessed she lacked “a humane side as a leader”. However, Jimin claimed she didn’t remember what transpired and even posted “fiction” on her Instagram as an obvious response to Mina’s allegations. Later she deleted that post. Subsequent reporting from Dispatch in 2021 referenced text message context that added nuance for observers. Jimin has continued solo work since those events.
Departure from the group
After the bullying controversy lit up, Jimin chose to exit AOA. NC Entertainment made a statement on the matter, revealing that Jimin “has decided to leave AOA and halt all of her activities in the entertainment industry”. NC Entertainment also apologized for the delicate situation, taking responsibility for what happened. Jimin’s FNC contract concluded in January 2022. AOA has remained inactive since 2020, with further member departures from the agency continuing through 2024. The group is now presumed disbanded or on permanent hiatus.
Solo career revival
Jimin’s return under Alo Malo brought new recorded material after a period away from releases. The 2023 EP Boxes marked her first project as a solo artist under the new label, followed by the single “Twinkle Little Star” later that year. The 2024 release “Walking Talking” arrived with an accompanying music video. These steps established a steady output separate from her AOA tenure. The upcoming “WYA” single continues that sequence into 2026.
Life after AOA and public presence
Jimin has maintained an active Instagram account with frequent updates and a substantial following. In 2025 she launched YouTube content aimed at direct fan interaction. A birthday cafe event that year drew attendees and highlighted ongoing interest from supporters. These platforms have served as the primary channels for sharing updates and maintaining visibility outside group activities.
AOA group status today
The original eight-member lineup has been reduced significantly. AOA has issued no new group material since 2020, and every original member has departed FNC Entertainment. The remaining active members operate independently, with the collective understood to be on indefinite hiatus or effectively disbanded. No reunion plans have been announced.
Recent reflections and new music
In June 2026, Jimin shared social media posts describing emotional challenges ahead of the “WYA” release. The single, featuring Untell, is set for June 10. These updates provide a window into her current approach to new work while continuing the solo trajectory that began in 2022.
Jimin’s documented path now spans the AOA years, the 2020 allegations and departure, and a return that includes multiple solo releases through 2026. The group itself has moved into inactivity, while Jimin’s solo output and public updates continue on their own timeline.
