How a viral chestnut jelly song transformed a South Korean pop star's career
In short: Kim Hyeong-seo, known as Bibi, began her journey writing lyrics at age 15 to express what she could not say aloud. Today, she is a multifaceted artist whose 2024 hit single Bam Yang Gang not only topped the charts but also sparked a nationwide craze for traditional chestnut jelly.
Born in Ulsan and raised in Changwon, Kim Hyeong-seo first gained attention in 2017 when Yoon Mi-rae discovered her self-produced music on SoundCloud, leading to a contract with Feel Ghood Music. Her professional trajectory accelerated in 2018 as the runner-up on the SBS competition show The Fan, followed by her official debut in 2019 with the single Binu. By 2021, she had expanded her reach globally, signing a promotion deal with 88rising after her collaboration single The Weekend reached number 29 on the Mediabase Top 40 chart, a milestone for a Korean female soloist.
Bibi's influence extends beyond music into acting and philanthropy. She earned critical acclaim for her role in the 2023 film Hopeless, winning Best New Actress at the 2024 Baeksang Arts Awards and receiving a nomination at the Blue Dragon Film Awards. Her commitment to social causes is also notable; in 2023, she joined Tiger JK and Yoon Mi-rae to donate 40 million won to support victims of the Turkey–Syria earthquake. Her family is also involved in the industry, as her younger sister, Kim Na-kyoung, debuted with the group TripleS in 2022.
The phenomenon surrounding her 2024 single, Bam Yang Gang, illustrates the power of modern digital culture. Following a viral challenge where fans filmed themselves singing the track while eating the titular chestnut jelly, sales of the snack surged by 40% in South Korea. This success preceded the release of her second studio album, Eve: Romance, in May 2025. Shortly thereafter, she announced her first world tour, Eve, which commenced at Seoul's Olympic Hall, marking a significant evolution from her early days of writing lyrics in isolation to commanding international stages.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Bibi (singer)
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