From reality show contestant to screen star: the rapid evolution of Kang Mi-na
In short: Born in Icheon and raised in Jeju City, Kang Mi-na transformed from a trainee on the competitive reality show Produce 101 into a versatile South Korean actress. After securing a spot in the girl group I.O.I, she pivoted toward a prolific acting career, spanning diverse roles in television and film.
Kang Mi-na first entered the public eye in January 2016 as a trainee representing Jellyfish Entertainment on the Mnet survival program Produce 101. Her performance resonated with viewers, leading her to finish ninth overall with 173,762 votes. This placement earned her a position in the final line-up of the girl group I.O.I. However, her path in the music industry remained dynamic; by June 2016, it was announced she would bypass certain I.O.I unit promotions to focus on debuting with the new group Gugudan. She later expanded her musical footprint through subgroups like Gugudan 5959, formed in July 2017 with Hye-yeon, and Gugudan SeMiNa, which debuted in July 2018.
The transition from music to acting began in 2017 with a role in the romantic comedy Children of the 20th Century, followed by her first lead role in the drama History of Walking Upright. Her career gained significant momentum as she balanced hosting duties on Show! Music Core in 2018 with diverse acting projects. Her filmography grew to include the action web film Dokgo Rewind and the fantasy romance Tale of Fairy. By 2019, she was cast in the popular fantasy drama Hotel del Luna, further establishing her presence in the South Korean entertainment landscape.
In recent years, Kang has continued to diversify her portfolio, appearing in projects ranging from the web drama Summer Guys to the historical drama Moonshine and the 2022 series Café Minamdang. A major professional shift occurred in 2023 when she concluded her tenure with Jellyfish Entertainment and signed with Story J Company. Her recent work includes the 2023 drama Welcome to Samdal-ri and the 2025 fantasy action series Twelve. Having graduated from the School of Performing Arts Seoul in 2018, Kang remains a prominent figure in the industry, consistently moving between musical performance and complex character-driven roles on screen.
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